Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
increased in Chapel Hill over the past several years and he agrees with that but it has no impact on the <br />question at hand. Specifically, the study listed that the second factor of value would be the neighborhood in <br />which the structure would be located and he would list this as the primary factor of value. He told about his <br />experience with towers in the Olde Turner Road area of Hillsborough and how difficult it was to sell the land <br />around the tower. They had to reduce the price on those lots closer to the tower and they sold for 25-30% <br />less than lots further away from the tower. His conclusion is that Gearon Communications has not met the <br />requirements of the articles under the special use permit. He feels that Gearon Communications has not <br />presented competent material or any evidence to the facts and conditions which this ordinance requires for <br />approval; they have not proven that the use will maintain or enhance the value of the contiguous property and <br />that they have not provided evidence that it will be in harmony with the area in which it will be located. <br />David Kroninger who lives on Greenfield Road said that visual impact to him is the impact on his <br />vision. He asked if they could put a crane up 230 feet with the exact blinking lights that they are proposing <br />and take pictures of that. He believes that a balloon has no correlation and a crane would. He opposes the <br />tower. He has lived on Greenfield Road for 14 years and their value has increased 110% in the last 14 years. <br />Marie England said that her house would be closest to the tower. She read a letter in which she <br />said that she feels betrayed that this tower is proposed to be erected behind her home. She has lived there <br />for 18 years. She takes joy in the beauty of the area and the view from her home. She has had several <br />offers from people who want to buy her house because of the aesthetics. She feels that this structure will <br />spoil the tranquillity and harmony of this road. She asked if there was not another location for this tower <br />which would not be in such a close proximity to homes. She has not had to use draperies for 18 years and <br />she would rather not have a blinking red light into her bedroom. <br />Greaory Moors lives on Greenfield Road. He agrees that maybe a crane can be put up where <br />the tower is going to be built, maybe they would get a different impression. <br />Gary Phillips , previous speaker, told about his qualifications. He said that he is a real estate <br />consultant and land planner in Carrboro and has been for 15 years. His local clients include OWASA, various <br />institutions - public and private and his specialty is before and after appraisals, specifically conservation <br />easements and condemnation of property. <br />Mr.Rob Davis said that he is a real estate broker for Howard, Perry and Walston. His house has <br />been on the market for 3-1/2 months on Greenfield Road. This is an unusual amount of time for a house to <br />be on the market. He talked to four people who walked away from his house because of the tower. He feels <br />that the proposed tower has already affected him and that there is an impact. He said that the deciduous <br />trees have lost their leaves and the tower will be very visible from his back yard and you will be able to see <br />the red lights. The moonlight drive comparison down Jones Ferry Road is that most of them are not affected <br />because the tower is behind a hill. <br />Mr. Jim Cain asked Mr. Phillips some questions about value and if he has actually seen a study <br />that concludes that towers have an adverse impact on the value of property. This verbatim conversation is <br />incorporated herein by reference. See Attachment A. <br />DOCUMENTS RECEIVED TO BE ENTERED INTO THE RECORD <br />Memo, dated 10/26/98 from the Orange County Planning Department to adjacent property owners <br />regarding the changing date of public hearing on SUP-2-98 Gearon Communications <br />Memo dated 10/19/98 from the Orange County Planning Department to adjacent property owners <br />regarding the public hearing on SUP-2-98 Gearon Communications <br />Notice of the public hearing for August 24, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. <br />Document from Russ Townsley and petition from 9 property owners on Greenfield Road <br />Letter from Christopher J. Braun <br />Letters from Rakhshi Khan and Dr. Brian Cook <br />Letter from David and Catherine Kroninger <br />Letter from Marie Englund <br />Letter from Rob Davis