Orange County NC Website
Cammissianer Jacobs asked if the subdivision would be built all at once or built in phases <br />and if the residents in the first phase would have immediate access to the open space. Phil Past, the <br />applicant, spoke about when the open space would be provided. Craig Benedict said that he suggests <br />that the open space trail network be provided in the first phase, since seven bonus lots were given as <br />a result of the additional open space. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he did not understand why there were two cul-de-sacs <br />within 230 feet of one another and Craig Benedict said that in his opinion, cul-de-sacs sometimes <br />reduce traffic an some links off the main road and can reduce the amount of pavement installed. He <br />believes that in this case the cul-de-sacs do serve a purpose and connectivity is achieved an other <br />roads within the subdivision. <br />Cammissianer Jacobs also questioned the lighting of the entrance sign. He said that this <br />was a waste of energy. Phil Post explained that the lights would not be on very long because they <br />would go off with a timer. The lighting would be very modest and the applicant would like to keep it. <br />Commissioner Brown asked about affordable housing and if any of the houses would be <br />affordable. Phil Past said that the homes would be 1,600 square feet beginning at about $180,000. <br />Commissioner Brown asked about the impacts on the Efland-Cheeks Elementary School. <br />Craig Benedict said that this was discussed at the Planning Board meeting and there would be <br />approximately ten children added to the enrollment at Efland-Cheeks Elementary School. <br />Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the Board Comments section of the agenda and <br />said that what he was talking about was trying to get a special use permit process for affordable <br />housing. He said that if the County does not require affordable housing in subdivisions, then it is not <br />going to happen. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Cammissianer Carey to <br />approve the preliminary plan for Ashwick Subdivision, with the addition of the right-turn lane taper on <br />US 70, and that the trails will be provided to all of the open space with the completion of the first <br />phase, and that solar-powered lighting would be used for the entranceway. <br />Craig Benedict said that it was also mentioned to add sidewalk areas along the roads <br />graded to accommodate safe pedestrian ways within the right-of-way. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that it would make more sense to approve the sewer system <br />extension agreement first and then the subdivision. <br />THE MOTION WAS WITHDRAWN <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to <br />approve and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution of approval (pp. 6-7), which will approve the <br />sewer service extension agreement for Ashwick Subdivision. <br />VOTE: AYES, 4; NOS, 1 (Commissioner Brown) <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Carey to <br />approve the preliminary plan for Ashwick Subdivision, with the addition of the right-turn lane taper on <br />US 70, and with the provision that the trails will be provided to all of the open space with the <br />completion of the first phase, that solar-powered lighting would be used for the entranceway, and that <br />sidewalk areas along the roads will be graded to accommodate safe pedestrian ways within the right- <br />of-way. <br />VOTE: AYES, 4; NOS, 1 (Commissioner Brown -because there is no affordable housing in the <br />project and the Efland-Cheeks Elementary School capacity is already 10 pupils overcrowded.) <br />c. McGowan Creek Subdivision Preliminary Plan <br />The Board considered a preliminary plan far the proposed McGowan Creek subdivision. <br />Craig Benedict made this presentation. The subdivision is a conservation cluster design. It is a <br />244.7-acre tract, with 222 units. The area is bordered on the east by Efland-Cedar Grove Road and is <br />north of US 70. This property does not go all the way out to Richmond Road. The subdivision is <br />located in Cheeks Township and is an open space plan where approximately 60 percent, or 147 acres <br />are given in common area open space. A density bonus was allowed and added approximately 66 <br />units to this project. The line that goes through the middle of this project is the 20-year transition line. <br />The applicant is proposing a community well system. There is a recommendation of denial for the <br />Preliminary Plan stage because a portion of this site, north of the 20-year transition, is outside the <br />