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Christine Efland said that she feels that the citizens should be allowed to speak. They <br />were promised that this item would be on the agenda and it is not. Chair Carey said that the agenda <br />was not set by the staff and no one could promise her when a matter would be on the agenda. He <br />asked that the presentation be confined to less than three minutes because the matter would be on <br />the agenda at a later time. <br />Christine Efland said that a group of four couples purchased an eight-acre piece of <br />property in October of 1999. Two of those people, which are senior citizens, went to the Planning <br />Department and tried to subdivide the piece of property. She said that these two people spent from <br />October until April of this year getting the run around. She and her husband Michael took it over in <br />April and proceeded with the County based on recommendations. She said that the rules kept <br />changing. She is opposed to a walking trail along McGowen Creek, which is part of the joint <br />comprehensive plan for rural recreation. She stressed that the residents do not want a walking trail <br />and asked that they be allowed to pay the payment in lieu instead of dedicate the property for a <br />walking trail. She said that the trail was not needed in this part of the County. The process has <br />taken a year and they still do not have an approved plan. <br />Michael Efland feels that they are just dividing property and not doing a subdivision. He <br />does not feel it should take a year to get something resolved. He said that the intentions for the <br />property meet the current zoning. <br />Mark Efland, a landowner on McGowen Creek, said that there was property adjacent to <br />his that will probably change hands and they will run into the same problems as Christine and <br />Michael Efland. He is opposed to the walking trail. <br />There were fifteen people in the audience from Efland in opposition of the walking trail. <br />PUBLIC CHARGE <br />Chair Carey read the public charge. <br />3. BOARD COMMENTS <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked that the County Manager give the County Commissioners a <br />brief report on the McGowen Creek issue identified by the Efland group of citizens. He would like to <br />know the history of this issue. <br />Chair Carey said that he spoke with Ms. Efland one and one half weeks ago and told her that <br />this item would not be on the agenda. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he and Commissioner Jacobs have been meeting with two <br />members of the Hillsborough Town Board and staff from the County and City on I-40 and NC86. <br />They have worked hard and hope the Board will appreciate their efforts. The Board will be receiving <br />a report soon. Also, he and Commissioner Brown have been meeting with the Northern Recreation <br />Center in setting up a computer lab at that building. <br />Commissioner Brown wants to be sure that other Boards in Orange and Durham Counties <br />were aware of the NRC's decision about the environmental concerns with the CP&L issues. She <br />hopes that someone could write a letter to the Durham County officials sa that they are kept up to <br />date. Chapel Hill and Carrboro would also be included. <br />Commissioner Brown mentioned the Affordable Housing task force and said that she and <br />Commissioner Jacobs have had two meetings with the task force this summer. She and <br />Commissioner Halkiotis will have something for the County Commissioners on the video and the <br />web site redesign. She asked for a tape recording of the Planning Board discussion on the <br />McGowen Creek/Efland issue that took place at the Planning Board meeting. <br />Commissioner Jacobs noted that good progress has been made in the meetings on the I- <br />40INC86 issue. He said that a group led by Mayor Johnson and Commissioner Chavious met and <br />toured Flynt Fabrics. The group hopes to come back in September with a plan for the use of that <br />building. <br />Commissioner Jacobs made reference to a press release reporting that the County found <br />another grant for $262,000 far the Little River Park to put in a parking area, picnic shelter, <br />bathrooms, playground, and hiking trails. He commended the staff and County Commissioners on <br />this project. <br />