Minutes - 02-21-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Harding stated that it was true that a transfer station is Hat alandfill-because landfills are lined. He said that he could not see how the Town could keep toxic materials out of the water supply, and asked if the FAA had been notified that a transfer station was being considered near the Horace Williams Airport. Mr. Harding Hated that his concerns were minor compared to the complaints of those on Rogers Road. He implored the Town Council to vote against the rezoning. Martin Rody said that the Northwest Area Plan, which he helped develop, intended to have a nucleus of development in one location, which would be served by mass transit. He explained that the Greene Tract is in the middle of that planned neoclassical town. Mr. Rody recalled that developers of the Northwest Area Plan tried to be fiscally responsible and concentrated development in that location because it could be served by transit sometime in the future. Because of the density and diversity of activity that would happen there, he explained, the land would become very valuable. Mr. Rody argued that Chapel Hill needs something other than residential properties in its tax base because residents of Chapel Hill cannot afford mare residential development. He stated that the Town needs diversity in the tax base, adding that the only way to achieve this is by increasing the density. Mr. Rody pointed out that many organizations in Tawn and the County could use this land for other purposes. He asked Council Members to stick with the plan and to try and develop it sa that it becomes an asset to the community. Larry Reid stated that the question of why the Town is rezoning this property for a materials handling station had not been adequately answered and justified. Watts Scott, whose property is attached to the south end of the Greene Tract, explained that he had lived there since 1959, when it was called "the Byrd Tract." He recalled that Mr. Greene had wanted to develop that tract and was turned down by the County Commissioners. He said that the Tawn had then purchased it and changed its name to the Greene Tract. Mr. Scott stated that he is 83 years old. He said that he had been fighting against landfills for the last 28 years, adding that County and Tawn governments had held his neighborhood captive. He asked the Tawn to release them from captivity and to allow them to have an opportunity to enjoy some of the things that Council Members are enjoying far away from garbage facilities. Louis Taff, who is a new Chapel Hill resident, noted that the Interlacal Agreement seems to be the source of pressure to adapt this resolution. He read a section from the Agreement which he said he found "mast objectionable": "The County will have ongoing authority and ability in its discretion to administer and operate the system in accordance with the solid waste management plan and policies and to determine and modify the solid waste plan and policies from time to time." Mr. Taff said that this basically meant that the Town would not care what the County does on that land. He Hated that the Agreement also says, "the County shall acquire real and personal property as it deems appropriate far system purposes...There shall be na restrictions on the County's acquisition of additional acreage at the existing landfill." Mr. Taff asked why this had been adopted and why there had been no public hearing. Comments by Elected Officials Council Member Brawn stated that the rezoning of the Greene Tract far materials handling is clearly in conflict with the previous Neville Tract Agreement, copies of which she distributed. She said that it seemed clear that people in the immediate neighborhood and throughout the County were opposed to the rezoning. Council Member Brown added that it also seemed clear that most people would like to see a portion of the Greene Tract remain as a natural area. She suggested removing the Greene Tract from the Interlacal Agreement, going forth with the transfer of solid waste activities to the County, and dropping the rezoning application.