Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Commissioner Brown made reference to a huge development that is going through the <br /> Carrboro process that is on Homestead Road. The University has given some land to enlarge the <br /> project that could be up to 400 units. She asked the staff what the County Commissioners' involvement <br /> would be in terms of comment or the approval process, since it is in the transition area. She thinks the <br /> County Commissioners need to be involved when they start discussing it to ask for a school site and all <br /> of the other important infrastructure that needs to be added to a development of this capacity. She is <br /> also interested in the supposed affordable housing. She does not think that this development comes <br /> under any of the established criteria that Orange County has for affordable housing, in terms of cost or <br /> long-term affordability. She asked for staff to come back and explain this issue. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to a letter from the ABC Board asking for support from the <br /> County Commissioners on privatizing ABC Boards in North Carolina. Senator Howard Lee is in support <br /> of this. He asked for further explanation on what this is about and the impact on Orange County. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that he has requested that John Link invite the new ABC Manager to come to a <br /> County Commissioners' meeting, and this is on the agenda for May 21'` <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis asked that Senator Lee be contacted for his comments about this bill, <br /> which would privatize ABC stores. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis thanked Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe and her staff, Sharron Hinton <br /> from the Manager's Office, County Engineer Paul Thames, EMS Director Nick Waters and his staff, Jim <br /> Warren from NCWARN, and all of the other people that helped put together the public forum about <br /> planning for a possible terrorist threat to the Shearon Harris facility. He said a special thank you to Nick <br /> Waters because it takes a lot of courage for a government employee to stand up in a public forum and <br /> speak from his heart and admit that our own plan has shortcomings. He was pleased with the outcome <br /> of the forum. He also said a special thanks to Beverly Blythe for putting the logistics together for the <br /> public forum. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis said that he was concerned with Bob Epting's letter to the editor in the <br /> Chapel Hill Herald about the issue of buried waste on the Horace Williams property and a waste pool <br /> that is visible from the air. If this is true, he is very concerned and thinks that we should ask for further <br /> investigation and a report. <br /> Commissioner Brown said that her understanding about the reason for closing the airport was to re- <br /> situate the development on the Horace Williams tract to avoid having to deal with this toxic waste dump. <br /> She said that for the University to avoid its responsibility and leave it sitting there is completely <br /> irresponsible. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that the County Manager is looking into the issue of advisory committees, which <br /> are being formed for the Horace Williams tract. The County Commissioners have expressed their <br /> willingness to be part of the advisory committees. The Manager has been assured that the County <br /> Commissioners will be part of the process. He suggested writing a letter from the Board to the <br /> Chancellor saying that we have had no direct communication one way or another about the waste and <br /> that we are concerned. <br /> John Link said that he had a Manager's meeting today and none of the other Managers have been <br /> included on any committee regarding the Horace Williams tract. He would be glad to draft a letter to the <br /> Chancellor for the Board's review. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that it might be a good idea to get an explanation of the process <br /> because the advisory groups are only consulted sometimes through the University. <br /> Chair Jacobs congratulated all those involved in the emergency planning symposium. He also <br /> thanked Commissioners Halkiotis and Brown who spent a lot of time helping it come to fruition. He <br /> suggested nominating the Emergency Management staff for one of the Association of County <br /> Commissioners' awards for innovation. <br /> Chair Jacobs announced that we would be taking applications for hooking up for the grant program <br /> on Rogers Road to the waterline Saturday, May 18`h from noon to 3:00 p.m. at Faith Tabernacle Oasis of <br /> Love Church at 8005 Rogers Road. Housing and Community Development Director Tara Fikes will be <br /> there to take confidential information and help to get an understanding of who qualifies. Even if <br /> someone does not qualify, we need the information so the County Commissioners can get the data and <br /> make some decisions about tweaking the program. <br /> Chair Jacobs mentioned that the County Commissioners will hold a water summit on Thursday, <br /> May 16`h at the Southern Human Services Center from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Water providers will be in <br />