Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
9. ITEMS FOR DECISION -REGULAR AGENDA <br />a. Greene Tract -Cultural Resource and Biological Resources Surveys <br />The Board discussed the findings of cultural resource and biological resources surveys <br />of the Greene tract, and related matters. <br />Rich Shaw from the Environment and Resource Conservation staff summarized these <br />reports. He said that the cultural resources study uncovered two historic sites, two prehistoric <br />sites, and four isolated finds in the Greene Tract. There was the Byrd farmhouse, a late nineteenth <br />century home site; and the Potts house, amid-nineteenth century home site. There was nothing <br />noteworthy found about the prehistoric sites. The two home sites may be eligible for the National <br />Register of Historic Place designation. A higher level of survey is needed on these two sites <br />before any land disturbing activities can take place. He pointed out that both of the home sites are <br />south of the 60-acre section of the property that the County is interested in. He summarized the <br />biological resources survey. The report is an interim report because the findings are not complete. <br />The final report is expected next week. He explained the topography of the property. A recent <br />Triangle Land Conservancy report identified the Greene Tract as containing prime forests providing <br />wildlife habitat in Orange County. There have been no protected species identified on the <br />property, plant or animal. However, there is suitable habitat for five protected animals and one <br />protected plant species. He said that the final report would document areas of the tract that should <br />be protected. <br />Commissioner Brown made reference to the photographs in the cultural resources <br />survey report and asked about the Byrd farmhouse. She asked if there was still a road access to <br />this house and Rich Shaw said that he was not sure. <br />Discussion ensued about the position of the line far the 60 acres. <br />Commissioner Brown said that the line should be eliminated until the reports are <br />complete and the line means something. <br />John Link asked for comments or advice from the County Commissioners to the staff <br />about the 60 acres. <br />Commissioner Gordon clarified part of the significance of drawing the boundaries of <br />Property E. She read from page 3 of the interlocal agreement under the Effective Date: "The <br />County will assume solid waste management responsibility the day following the effective date of <br />the zoning of the property described as Exhibit E which makes solid waste management uses, not <br />including burial of mixed solid waste or construction and demolition waste, a permitted use under <br />the Chapel Hill Development Code/Ordinance, as provided in Part 5 of this Agreement, so long as <br />that date is at least 180 days after the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the current <br />owners of the System and so long as the Greene Tract Owners have agreed on the boundaries of <br />the property described in Exhibit E. The date the County assumes solid waste management <br />responsibility is the effective date of this Agreement." She said that in order far the transfer to take <br />place, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Orange County have to agree on the 60 acres, and the zoning <br />has to be completed. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that there might be certain suppositions inherent in the 60- <br />acre line that may no longer be operative. He would rather see the final analysis and then talk <br />about how to put a footprint on that property that would leave it undisturbed and yet have the <br />potential for other uses such as school or County projects. <br />Commissioner Brown asked for staff to show where the nearest water and sewer lines <br />are located on the 60 acres in question. <br />Chair Carey said that Chapel Hill is expecting the 60 acres to be identified so it can <br />make the decisions to provide for transfer of the management and governing responsibilities for the <br />solid waste functions in the County. He made reference to the public hearing last week about the <br />rezoning of that site and said that there was a lack of specificity about the rezoning. He said that <br />there was a tremendous outpouring from the citizens in the area indicating they would not like the <br />site to be rezoned. He recommended to the County Commissioners that the rezoning of the 60 <br />acres be taken off the table and out of the agreement and that Chapel Hill would still adhere to the <br />part of the agreement that 60 acres be transferred to Orange County. The interlocal agreement <br />