Orange County NC Website
Craig Benedict gave an update on this situation. He said that there was a public hearing on <br />August 23rd. The staff and administration have considered all written materials provided by the applicant <br />and the residents. The staff recommendation is to deny Ernie McBroom's request to rezone his 10.01- <br />acre tract from AR to AS. <br />Mr. McBroom asked if the Board reviewed the plat of what he wants to do. He wants to dump <br />stumps and brush from another 50 acres of land that he owns, and then bring in the equipment to grind <br />this debris for mulch. He was told that the tract had to be rezoned to do this. His intent was to get rid of <br />stumps and brush in a legal way. <br />Pam Alexander said that she represents the community, those who are present, and those who <br />could not be here tonight. She presented a petition of 160 names asking for a denial of Mr. McBroom's <br />request. She said that they have sent emails, made telephone calls, and written letters to the Board of <br />County Commissioners. She urged the Board to listen to the concerns they have expressed. She asked <br />the County Commissioners to consider their pleas and deny the request for rezoning. <br />Commissioner Jacobs thanked the citizens for their emails. He said that when the rezoning <br />first came before the Board, several Commissioners mentioned to the staff that they were concerned <br />about the uses permitted in an agricultural service district. He does not feel this tract is a place for a <br />commercial business, especially a sawmill. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve <br />the staff's recommendation to deny Mr. McBroom's request to rezone a 10.01-acre tract in Cedar Grove <br />Township from Agricultural-Residential (AR) to Agricultural-Service (AS). <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that Mr. McBroom had made the comment in submitting his <br />application that there is no place in the County to put debris of this kind. He feels the County has a <br />responsibility to do something with stumps and brush. He feels that by using GIS the location of <br />residential growth can be tracked in the urban areas of this County. He feels that the idea was good and <br />there is a need for this kind of facility in Orange County. <br />Commissioner Brown feels that what the citizens have brought forth is the recognition that the <br />County's Land Use Plan is out of date, and that these permitted uses do not reflect what neighbors can <br />live with anymore. She agreed with Commissioner Halkiotis in that the County needs to look at these <br />permitted use tables and get a good understanding of the neighborhoods. She feels that it is clear that <br />this is not a good use for this area. <br />Chair Gordon said that she has always thought that community protection was important. She <br />also thinks that Mr. McBroom had a right to bring this request forward. <br />VOTE: AYES, 4; NO, 1 (Commissioner Halkiotis) <br />Craig Benedict announced that Jim Hinkley would be retiring from the Planning and Inspections <br />Department on November 'It, and this would be his last public meeting. He has worked in Orange County <br />for 10 years. <br />e. Acceot Continuation of Grant Funds for Svohilis Elimination Proiect and Establish New <br />Public Health Educator Position <br />The Board was to consider accepting continuation of grant funds in the amount of $43,000 for <br />the syphilis elimination project and establishing a new permanent full-time public health educator position <br />to provide education and outreach services, but it was postponed to a future meeting. <br />f. Creation of Task Force to Develop a Northern Human Services Center Plan <br />The Board was to consider establishing a task force to develop a long-range plan for the <br />Northern Human Services Center and surrounding property, but it was postponed to a future meeting. <br />g_ Community College Task Force - Charge. Composition and Timeline <br />The Board was to consider approving a charge, composition and timeline for the Community <br />College Task Force, but it was postponed to a future meeting. <br />h. Creation of Task Force to Organize Soccer Symposium