Minutes - 04-12-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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before it was realized that they were citizens in a community. She said that the Board was elected to support the citizens of this community and she said that the residents were getting a big reminder that the residents do not exist. She said that the residents would not vote for anyone who refused to do what they were elected to do. She said that tonight was the first time she heard that American Stone would take care of a well or any damages caused by American Stone Company. She said that she had brought samples of her water to three public hearings and no one has said that they would drill a new well for her. She said that the existing quarry would hold enough water without expanding. She brought the bills that she had to take care of the damages that were as a result of the quarry. Thomas Stone lives at 2525 Neville Road and has lived in this area all his life. He remembers when the stone quarry moved here. He said that when the excavations first started, his home received a lot of vibrations from the blasting and it caused structural damage. If expansion is allowed to proceed, he is afraid that it will start the structural damage again. Elliott Cramer, an applied statistician and a retired professor from UNC, shared some statistics about the current quarry and the expanded quarry and the water storage capacity. He said that the difference between the water storage capacity of the current quarry and the expanded quarry is negligible. He said that the supply from the expanded quarry far exceeds any plausible future needs of OWASA. He said that OWASA's current consultants have estimated OWASA's raw water demand in 2050 to be 15.1 million gallons per day. This is below OWASA's current supply without any quarry and far below the supply with the current mined out quarry. He said that OWASA is substantially overestimating future demand because of its assumption of continued linear growth beyond build out. David Parrish asked if American Stone Company and OWASA would be willing to give 10 acres for a park and $15,000 a year to maintain it, what are they willing to do about the damages that have already disrupted the quality of life of the neighbors. Peter Gordan said that the mitigation is spelled out in the application. Alfred C. Perry, owner of property adjacent to the quarry, asked about the relocation of Bethel Hickory Grave Church Road. He understands that the quarry would be turned into a park. He asked for specifics on the property once the quarrying operation is finished. He said that he owns a trailer park in this area with seven trailers and the blasting has really affected them. He said that American Stone Company never admits that they are at fault for damages done by the blasting. Peter Gordon said that American Stone Company agreed to donate 10 acres on the north side of the quarry site for use as a pubic park and to provide annually to Orange County $15,000 for park improvements. In terms of the entire site, in 2030 there would be 100 acres of woods around a 60-acre lake. There is some potential for recreation, but it is not likely to be active recreation. Jim Ward asked how this plan addressed access to residents that are affected by the change in road alignment. Craig Benedict said that Bethel Hickory Grove Church Road would be moved to the east down to a new location on NC 54 but there would still be access for anyone north of the existing quarry operation down to NC 54. Louise Parrish said that she has been living on Parrish Road for 43 years. She wants American Stone Company, OWASA, and the boards to consider not giving a park or donating money to a charity because the residents have a lot of problems. She said that in the last few years, almost everyone in the neighborhood has had to dig another well. She asked that the residents be treated as citizens. She asked for the Board's support. She said that she is concerned about the rerouting of the road off of NC 54. Marjorie Richter said that she is also concerned about the rerouting of Bethel Hickory Grove Church Road and the intersection on NC 54. She said that the intersection at the bottom of the hill on Bethel Hickory Grove Church Road is going to be a death trap because of the gravel trucks. Allen Spalt asked for Craig Benedict to address the rerouting of Bethel Hickory Grove Church Road.