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1 <br />2 <br />3 <br />4 <br />5 <br />6 <br />7 <br />10 <br />11 <br />12 <br />13 <br />14 <br />15 <br />16 <br />17 <br />18 <br />19 <br />20 <br />21 <br />22 <br />23 <br />24 <br />25 <br />26 <br />27 <br />28 <br />29 <br />30 <br />31 <br />32 <br />33 <br />34 <br />35 <br />36 <br />37 <br />38 <br />39 <br />40 <br />41 <br />42 <br />43 <br />44 <br />45 <br />46 <br />47 <br />48 <br />49 <br />50 <br />51 <br />52 <br />53 <br />54 <br />55 <br />56 <br />57 <br />58 <br />59 <br />60 <br />61 <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked for an analysis as to whether or not we should pursue local legislation. <br />Additional information will be available at the next meeting. At that time staff will bring back a resolution for the Board's <br />consideration. <br />PUBLIC CHARGE <br />The Chair dispensed with the reading of the public charge. <br />3. BOARD COMMENTS <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked about the tracking format. <br />John Link indicated that they have improved the tracking format and will soon present it to the Board for review. <br />He asked if the Board had any feedback on the form they plan to use. He proposes that they experiment and try to <br />capture the items the County Commissioners ask staff to address, where they are in the process, when they are to <br />come back, and when they are completed. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that this is what he was looking for. He suggested changing the word "status" to <br />"comments." He would like for this list to eventually be on the intranet, to avoid passing the lists back and forth. He also <br />suggested that if and when they agree that this is the format, have the County Commissioners give to the staff things <br />they feel are pending matters. <br />John Link said that, assuming the format was satisfactory, they would go back to the first quarter of 1999 and by <br />take the notes and follow up sheet that is now used, list the pending matters from the last three months. <br />Commissioner Brown asked for clarification and an update on the Hebron issue. She asked about the hearing <br />that took place two weeks ago, and what is the position of the Commissioners on this issue, if there is something they <br />should do now, and what the expectation of our legislators is at this time. <br />John Link said that the Hebron group understands that the County Commissioners have no legal role in the <br />decision. The legislators were receptive to a bill calling for a moratorium on annexations on the part of an external town <br />or city into Orange County, until such time as we could work on joint planning. He spoke to the County Attorney about <br />that, who had contacted representative Joe Hackney. He does not know the outcome of that discussion. He was not at <br />the hearing two weeks ago, but Planning Director, Craig Benedict did attend that hearing. <br />Craig Benedict said that the purpose of the meeting was to hear public input about the incorporation of Hebron. <br />It was very well organized. Four people spoke for Hebron Corporation and four against, three for and three against. <br />and a total of 14 people spoke. There were four legislators in attendance. They said that the input they received, the <br />criteria they met, and the criteria they did not meet for incorporation does not mean that the General Assembly can <br />approve or deny it. It is still undecided, but they did receive public input on it. The bottom line is that there is joint <br />planning in that general area. The legislative actions suggested by the County Manager would give them the <br />opportunity for joint planning in those extra-jurisdictional areas, or even outside of that area. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that at the hearing held on March 24, Senator Wilbur Gulley from Durham, and <br />Representative Cary Allred from Alamance were the two representatives who spoke in support of this effort. Senator <br />Eleanor Kinnaird and Representative Verla Insko came to listen. The committee did vote to deny the incorporation, <br />which may or may not mean anything. He also got a call from a reporter from Alamance County who said that he had <br />just spoken with the Mayor of Mebane, who was very distressed to hear of the possibility of a bill being introduced to <br />prohibit Mebane from annexing into Orange County. He recommends that they speak with Mebane as soon as possible <br />about the benefits of joint planning. He also recommends that they include the economic development district in the <br />discussion. This may make it more attractive to them, and might enable the Board to talk more about transferring <br />development rights. Commissioner Brown said that she has received calls asking where the County Commissioners <br />stand on this issue. She feels it important to let our delegation know where we stand or what our interests are. <br />John Link suggested that the County Commissioners authorize a resolution considering a moratorium in <br />concert with Mebane which would clear up the situation. <br />Commissioner Brown made a motion that the County Manager and Chair pursue whatever is necessary to send <br />a clear signal to our delegation. <br />Commissioner Carey feels the Board should expound their interest in joint planning. However, he feels that the <br />legislative moratorium issue is very touchy, and it should be dealt with carefully. He thinks the Chair and the Manager <br />should work to communicate that to the delegation and the officials in Mebane, in such a way that does not make <br />planning more difficult. <br />Commissioner Jacobs suggested making the Board's interest known in a positive way, requesting that joint <br />planning discussions begin with Mebane at the earliest opportunity, and that the legislative delegation is not asked to <br />advance this bill, but the Board recognizes that it may be a viable option if joint planning can not be established. That <br />gives Mebane the opportunity to respond positively or negatively without having endorsed something that they might find <br />very offensive. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Carey that the Board expresses to <br />the town of Mebane that the County Commissioners would like to engage as quickly as possible in discussions on joint <br />planning. At the same time, the Board of Commissioners acknowledge that while they have not taken any action, in <br />terms of a resolution related to a moratorium, this is an option. Copies will be given to the legislative delegation.