Orange County NC Website
preparing plans for future growth, this could serve as a good opportunity to compare notes and tune <br /> the land use development potential. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that he feels that this is a good opportunity to work together to <br /> coordinate planning for certain areas. He does not feel that the County should move ahead if the <br /> Town of Hillsborough does not want to or can't provide water and sewer service to the area in <br /> question. <br /> Craig Benedict noted that a lot of background information has been done on the different <br /> townships and growth rates in each of these areas. He would be glad to meet with Hillsborough on <br /> projections for the future. Since growth will migrate to those areas that can be served with municipal <br /> water and sewer, he feels it beneficial to everyone if Hillsborough is involved. Efland is a future <br /> growth area. He feels it important to have a coordinated plan and have consistency in the two <br /> plans. <br /> In answer to a question from Michael Gering, Craig Benedict said that with any plan we <br /> have to include the regulations that are necessary to implement the plan. He feels that by next <br /> spring, the regulations to implement the plan will be in place. <br /> c. Wastershed Protection — Cedar Grove Reservoir <br /> Craig Benedict said that watershed protection and water quality have been at the forefront <br /> when considering the impacts of development. Accordingly, within Orange County's jurisdiction, <br /> watershed zoning overlays have been put in place to reduce impervious areas and, in some cases, <br /> the reduction of residential density to preserve critical and protected watersheds. With the addition <br /> of Cedar Grove (west fork of the Eno) reservoir by Hillsborough, similar interest lie with Orange <br /> County to continue their long standing commitment to improve water quality in the region through <br /> various methods. With input and support from the Town of Hillsborough, Orange County can <br /> examine ways to evaluate the Upper Eno Watershed to promote water quality and, thereby, reduce <br /> eventual water treatment costs, and heighten the environmental health of the Eno River system. <br /> Craig Benedict made reference to the protected watershed map of the County. He <br /> explained that for all reservoirs, the County put an overlay on each one to show the critical areas <br /> where the lot size is larger than in other areas. As the County does their comprehensive plan, they <br /> will be asking Hillsborough if they want the area surrounding their reservoirs to be regulated as <br /> critical areas. Again, this would reduce density to improve water quality. <br /> d. Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance <br /> Craig Benedict said that residential growth has increased sharply in Orange County over <br /> the past decades, in large part due to the well known quality of the public schools in the county. In <br /> 1999, the Schools and Land Use Councils, a joint committee of elected officials and staff members <br /> from the County's school districts and towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough and Orange <br /> County, began the process of designing ways to ensure superior schools without unduly <br /> jeopardizing growth. This committee began to look at the issue of linking new development to the <br /> capacity of schools as a way to help ensure quality schools in Orange County. This committee <br /> developed a Schools Adequate Public Facilities Memorandum of Understanding and model <br /> ordinance. He made presentations in front of the local boards. Based on comments received it was <br /> sent back to the Schools and Land Use Councils for refinement and has been approved by that <br /> Council. This will go to public hearing on May 28 tH <br />