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medium size lots with homes built on them. In his opinion, this does not protect the rural buffer, but rather creates a patchwork of development throughout the County. It does not provide any quality rural buffer or quality space for use by the citizens of Orange County. With that in mind, he asked the Board of County Commissioners to consider this proposal from those two perspectives. To refresh the Commissioners' memories, he pointed out that Lawrence Park is 851/2 acres and they are proposing 244 dwelling units. The overall density is a medium density of approximately 2.85 homes per acre, with an average lot size of approximately 2/10 of an acre. The average home size will be approximately 1540 feet and the average home price will be $132,000. This is consistent with the average homes in the surrounding area. The total common open space area, as prescribed by R-3 zoning, yields 26 acres of this site with a total active open space area of 7.17 acres. He commented that if the Commissioners liked the R-3 zoning district, this is the kind of development they would be expecting. These are the size lots that result out of R-3 zoning which he feels is a very consistent zoning district within the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Perry then presented the basic facts as he interpreted them. This is a designated transition area which establishes compact development rather than perpetuating sprawl by encouraging large lot development. The recent rezoning and annexation that occurred in Hillsborough several weeks ago will result in a tremendous increase in the amount of jobs and people working nearby. This is an opportunity to provide moderate priced housing which is very scarce in Orange County. He asserted that this is the most expensive county in the State of North Carolina in which to live. This is an opportunity to provide affordable housing that will be inclusive and allow many people who work in Orange County to live here as well. This is a pedestrian oriented neighborhood with sidewalks on both sides of all streets. There are also central parks located throughout the property and a 100 foot buffer area completely surrounding it for passive recreation. It provides significant buffers adjacent to existing houses. There is a mix of different zoning around this property, including R-1, R-2 as well as R-4 which is denser than what they are requesting. Public sanitary sewer would be extended to the area, which would then allow adjacent properties with septic problems to connect. There is an existing mobile home community adjacent to this property which is experiencing a failing septic drain field. They would be allowed the opportunity to tap onto the Hillsborough sewer system, which would solve this problem. They would also bring public water to this area which will result in tap fees of approximately $900,000 to the Town of Hillsborough. That money will assist them in the expansion of their water treatment facilities and water reservoir system. The developers will also provide booster pumps, if necessary. Their traffic study shows, and the Department of Transportation agrees, that both Lawrence Road and Highway 70 (with the current traffic and what will be added by this development) will be at approximately 2/3 to 3/4 of its total carrying capacity. There is abundant carrying capacity on Highway 70 and Lawrence Road to accommodate this neighborhood. The only place where they anticipate a greater impact is at the intersection of Lawrence Road and Highway 70. They intend to provide acceleration lanes, turn lanes and deceleration lanes in that area to keep the traffic moving. Lawrence Park will mitigate many of the development impacts that are normally associated with this type of development. In terms of storm water runoff, this property will have impervious surface at buildout of approximately 24-1/2%. He asserted that by North Carolina law when you are under 25% you do not have to address storm water retention or detention on your property; however, they are constructing a wet pond detention facility to the north of the property and a dry pond detention facility to the south of the property. Chair Gordon asked Mr. Perry to address the questions that had been left unanswered at the November 23, 1998 meeting. Mr. Perry stated that storm water impact and traffic concerns were two of the main questions they were asked to elaborate upon at this meeting. The capacity of both Highway 70 and Lawrence Road are more than sufficient to carry existing traffic and the additional traffic that will be caused by this development. Also, they will make the improvements required by the Department of Transportation. As far as storm water impact is concerned, he noted that this piece of property is not located in a critical watershed. It does not have any significant, environmental impact in any Q:119990221d.c