Orange County NC Website
Commissioner Brawn asked about the amount of money given to the Sheriff's Department <br />and to the school systems. Dave Walters said that the school systems receive certain amounts based <br />on enrollment. The Sheriff's Department allocation stayed the same this year. <br />7. PUBLIC HEARINGS <br />a. Regulated Recyclable Materials Ordinance <br />The Board held a public hearing to receive public comment on a draft Regulated Recyclable <br />Materials Ordinance. <br />Assistant County Manager Rod Visser said that the purpose of this agenda item was to <br />receive public comment about a proposed regulated recyclable materials ordinance that has been in <br />development far the past 12-15 months. It represents one of the major recommendations from the C&D <br />Recycling Task Force that met from late 1999 through the summer of 2000. It recognizes that about 113 <br />of the County's waste stream is made up of C&D materials and has been untapped in terms of what the <br />County can do to try to improve per capita reduction in solid waste. <br />Solid Waste Director Gayle Wilson made a power point presentation, which is incorporated <br />herein by reference. In summary, he explained the various parts of the ordinance. He said that this <br />ordinance would fundamentally change the way construction waste is managed in Orange County. <br />Chair Halkiotis made reference to page four of the ordinance and asked about the proposal <br />an the state regulation of agricultural operations related to burning activities. County Attorney Geoffrey <br />Gledhill said that because development permits in counties are not regulated through the zoning <br />regulations, then those development permits would not apply to agricultural practices. This regulation is <br />regulating solid waste and the burning of trees and stumps for a development activity. The burning of <br />trees and stumps in an agricultural activity is exactly the same activity being done for a different purpose. <br />It creates an ordinance problem to exempt one activity and include the other. <br />Commissioner Brown asked about going to the municipalities to ask them to consider <br />adopting this ordinance. Geoffrey Gledhill said that this ordinance would apply everywhere outside of <br />the municipal boundaries until and unless it is adopted by resolution by one of the Towns. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked which ordinances the County has that are similarly adopted by <br />the municipalities. Geoffrey Gledhill said that the County's Erosion Control Ordinance is in place in <br />Carrboro, Hillsborough, and the Orange County portion of Mebane. Chapel Hill has adopted, carte <br />blanche, the Orange County Erosion Control Ordinance and works with the County because part of <br />Chapel Hill is not in Orange County. Also the Animal Control Ordinance is at work in Hillsborough. <br />There are several other ordinances, which have been adopted by municipalities. <br />Chair Halkiotis reminded the public that this was a draft ordinance. <br />CITIZEN COMMENTS <br />Vaughn Compton said that the way this ordinance is written does not affect him. He would like to <br />see this ordinance adopted with consideration far the farmers of Orange County. He sells firewood. He <br />asked about the difference between people burning stumps and 1,000 people burning fireplaces and <br />wood staves. Geoffrey Gledhill said that this ordinance is not regulating emissions but it is regulating <br />solid waste. The wood sold and used in fireplaces is not solid waste. <br />Johnny Johnson is a private hauler. He asked that the County Commissioners consider the illegal <br />dumping and to not penalize someone else for someone illegally dumping on their property. He feels <br />that this ordinance will cause an increase in illegal dumping. <br />Reese Martin, a grading and clearing contractor from Northern Orange County, said that the <br />materials generated from an agricultural standpoint and from a development standpoint have to be dealt <br />with. He is concerned that the issue of doing away with the burning is going to cause a problem with <br />what to do with the materials. He purchased a piece of equipment that allows him to burn at a high <br />temperature with virtually na smoke. He asked for an exemption from the burning ordinance if this type <br />of equipment were used. He distributed a brochure describing this piece of equipment. This machine <br />cost $30,000. <br />Jim Meloy, a member of the Remodelers Council of the Hamebuilders Association of Durham and <br />Orange County, said that the association supports this ordinance, but the County Commissioners need <br />to understand that this activity will increase the cost of a home in Orange County. Section 6 4-B of the <br />