Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
our aquifers. She feels we need trees in terms of cleaning the air and the more trees that come down <br />and the more cars that come in, affect the quality of air we breathe. <br />Sam Lasris said that he is from Cedar Grove and has seen the County change over the last twenty <br />years. He sees the traffic, noise, pollution, less trees and destruction of our habitat. He feels it is <br />important to have development that is quality and neighborhoods that people want to live in -not just <br />roads but nice houses. <br />Theodore Triebel said that 30 years ago he determined that life is not fair but that we have the <br />ability to change things to make them better. He feels we have the opportunity to make some choices <br />and if we take advantage of that - to do what is right and what is best by planning ahead - it will increase <br />the quality of life here in Orange County. He is interested in sustainability and quality of life. People <br />have to live somewhere. He is not opposed to growth because he understands that people must have a <br />place to live. He said that there are a lot of issues, especially water issues, and if we work on them and <br />make the right choices we can da goad things. <br />Renee Price said that she is interested in land use and the environment. She has been working in <br />this field for the last 25 years. She has an interest in people living in harmony with their environment. <br />OPEN DISCUSSION <br />Rachael Preston said that her primary concern is impact fees. She is worried that if some really big <br />development camel our way that we will have a whole bunch of houses being built which will not pay <br />their way. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked if Barry Katz would clarify his statement about not getting their <br />Planning Board information in a timely manner and asked if they are still having long range planning <br />meetings. <br />Barry Katz said that they sometime would get packets of information delivered but now they are <br />mailed which sometimes delays the information from reaching them in time to read before the meeting. <br />The long-range planning meetings consisted of a presentation and not very much discussion. Once the <br />ideas are out there, the Planning Staff can work with them. Having dinner before the meeting and talking <br />about issues has been good. This is really a critical time in this County and the Planning Board can have <br />a good impact on the County in the next two or three decades. <br />Commissioner Brawn made reference to the moratorium on large-scale developments. She feels <br />this is a good idea during the time we are working on the Land Use Plan and Comprehensive Plan <br />regulations. She feels that once we have these regulations in place, the County Commissioners will have <br />the tools to be sure that large-scale developments are sustainable for the community. <br />Barry Katz said that the Planning Board serves as the representatives of the County and they need <br />to hear not only what the Planning Department thinks but they need to have other suggestions so that <br />they can put the Planning Board perspectives in place. <br />Chair Jacobs made reference to future education and coordination and said that the Institute of <br />Government (IOG) has the experts who can assist the Planning Board. <br />Craufurd Goodwin said that the Planning Board seems to be 9S°fo reactive or reacting to a <br />document from the staff. There is no cumulative momentum for what they do - no opportunity to be <br />creative. <br />Commissioner Carey said that he hears a lot of expertise an the Planning Board and someone with <br />this kind of knowledge base can make really good decisions. They are on this board to bring the <br />knowledge they have about the area in which they live. The Planning Board should step back and focus <br />