Minutes - 02-13-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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c. 250t" Anniversary of Orange County Commissioner Jacobs gave a short history of the start of the County. In September 2002, it will be the 250t" anniversary of the first court of common pleas and sessions, at which Sheriff Alexander Mebane presided as the chief officer of the County of Orange. He said that it would be a great economic development and historic preservation opportunity to get the historic community and the chambers of commerce together to work on some of the heritage in the County. He said that the celebration could involve the schools as an educational opportunity. He suggested making this celebration a goal for 2001-2002, and involving the Economic Development Department, which has the Visitors Bureau and Historic Preservation. Chair Halkiotis said he thinks this is a good idea, and asked John Link and staff to bring back a proposal. d. Indicator Program Commissioner Brown asked for an update on this program. David Stancil said that the staff has been looking at the indicators that were developed by the Shaping Orange County's Future project to see which ones could be used to measure where the County is and where it is going. He said that the next step would be to get the information to the Board in the form of a report. This will come back to the Board in April. e. Definition of Bonafide Farm Commissioner Brown said that she put this item in because there have been some issues about definitions of farms and if they were actually businesses in certain rural areas. She suggested that the Manager find out if all has been resolved. She would like to make sure that people who use land and live in a rural manner are not put in some kind of legal jeopardy. Commissioner Carey asked for a report on this regarding the statutory definition for Orange County. Commissioner Jacobs spoke about such things as a bed and breakfast activity or other ways that farms can bring in income without violating the zoning regulations. Commissioner Brown asked for a report by June. f. Erosion Control Update Planning Director Craig Benedict distributed a handout entitled, "Sedimentation and Erosion Control Update." There will be some changing responsibilities for Erosion Control in the coming year. Orange County is the first county in North Carolina to apply for delegated authority for buffer enforcement procedures. He spoke about the new fee structure to cover some of the new activities. This fee schedule will be coming back to the Board at the first work session in April. Commissioner Brown asked about state projects (i.e., Chapel Hill park development, schools, etc.} not being under the purview of Erosion Control in Orange County. She asked if this has changed. Craig Benedict said that the County did not have any more authority, but there is mare cooperation. Commissioner Carey asked Craig Benedict to explain the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, #4 in "Changing Responsibilities". Craig Benedict explained that this was a new state mandate that all point source pollution factors that are discharged into any local stream must be monitored. He said that it is a very elaborate program on the enforcement end. Identification of the sources of the discharges will begin in October 2001. Commissioner Gordon asked about the river basin for the NPDES regulations. Craig Benedict said that this reference to the Cape Fear River basin, which includes Cane Creek, Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and some surrounding areas. Commissioner Gordon asked Craig Benedict to explain the significance of the Stormwater Utility Task Farce and if it was a way to meet these regulations. Craig Benedict explained that because Chapel Hill and Carrboro are of a specified population, they have increased responsibilities. Commissioner Gordon asked if it was expected that Erosion Control would be taken over by the utility group. Craig Benedict said that this was a possibility.