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family property and to Duke Forest. The Cate property was formerly a dairy for many years. It <br />contains an existing barn and there is a pond on the property. The land is very suitable for a mix of <br />active and low-impact recreation. This property fronts on Old NC 86. The total purchase price for all <br />of the property is approximately $4.6 million dollars. This includes closing costs and use value <br />deferral. This equates to $23,600 per acre. The property is within the Carrboro transition area and <br />the OWASA service area. An interesting point is that one of the owners has had a contract offer at a <br />higher price than has been negotiated with the County but preferred to sell to the County because the <br />land was to be used for open space and recreation. He said that it was important to note that both the <br />County's and the Town of Carrboro's master plan for recreation and parks show a park in this area. <br />Proposed funding sources include the SchooUPark Reserve Fund, the 1997 Parks Bond, and a <br />portion from the payment-in-lieu funds for the Chapel Hill District Park. The staff recommendation is <br />that the Board consider approval of the purchase of all four tracts, authorize the Chair to sign the <br />contracts, authorize the Attorney and the staff to close on the property on or before May 31St, and to <br />exempt the project from provisions of NC General Statute related to surveys. There has been a <br />phase I environmental assessment on the property and phase II is warranted on a portion of the Cate <br />property. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to <br />approve the purchase all four of the tracts, authorize the Chair to sign the contracts, authorize the <br />Attorney and the staff to close on the property on or before May 31St, and to exempt the project from <br />provisions of NC General Statute related to surveys. <br />Chair Halkiotis said that he appreciates the work that David Stancil and Rich Shaw have <br />done to locate property. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that Carrboro was aware of what was happening in its <br />transition area. He thanked the voters in Orange County who in 1997 approved an open space fund, <br />which allowed us to have the resources to serve the citizens of Orange County. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that in addition to this area being identified as a park site, the <br />Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools have also identified this area for a school site. Also, she said that the <br />County will collaborate with both the Town of Carrboro and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School <br />Board on this project. She thanked David Stancil and Rich Shaw for their work in acquiring this land. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />c. Richmond Hills Preliminary Plan Revision <br />The Board considered amending the Richmond Hills preliminary plan. <br />Planning Director Craig Benedict made this presentation. He said that in the resolution of <br />approval for the preliminary plan there was a phasing plan. Based on information that has come <br />forward after the preliminary approval, Habitat for Humanity would like to change the phasing plan <br />from three phases to two phases (24 lots in phase I and 19 lots in phase II}. Also, the open space <br />and the dedication to Orange County will be included in phase I to fulfill the requirements of the <br />original resolution. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to <br />approve the amendments to the Richmond Hills preliminary plan. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />Sue Harvin spoke about the delay in getting started with the project. She said that this is <br />the largest project that Habitat for Humanity has ever attempted. She represents the volunteers. She <br />said that the morale of the staff is getting very low because they have not been able to get started. <br />They have an obligation to CDBG to build 25 homes by December. They need help working with the <br />County so they can get started with the building. She asked the Commissioners to help with the <br />process. <br />Susan Levy said that in order to get a building permit, Habitat must record a final plat. One <br />of the issues raised was that of the bonding that is required when the infrastructure is not yet <br />complete. She asked if Habitat could be released from the requirement of providing a letter of credit <br />or being bonded. She said it would be very difficult to put up a bond because Habitat does not have <br />enough assets. <br />