Minutes - 20021111 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Commissioner Halkiotis thinks the Adams Tract is worth preserving. He also thinks that there should be a number of conditions that should be attached. He made reference to the statement, "this is merely a line on a map" and said that this should be avoided in the future. This sends the wrong kind of message. He is also worried about connector roads. Chair Jacobs asked about the timing of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund decision. It was answered that a decision should be made in mid-December. Chair Jacobs said that this could be put on the meeting of November 19`h to get some public comment. He said that we could look at this property as part greenway and part natural area. There is Lands Legacy money for this. He said that he does not think that the Board ever said that there would be matches for the greenway money. He could see matches for natural areas. Commissioner Brown said that it would be good to see a description of the property and what it is used for now. She said that it is published around the United States as one of the best mountain bike tracks in the country. It would be good to clarify the route of the greenway. It needs to be bought for the purpose that the County believes in. She said that the property should never be used for any kind of road extension or cutting off pieces of it for other purposes. She said that she has heard that the university made some reference to running a connector road through this property. Chair Jacobs said that we need some staff from Carrboro to make a presentation and answer the questions. Commissioner Brown asked about other sources of funding besides the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. David Stancil said that the Land and Water Conservation Fund would be a potential source. There is also the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. Commissioner Brown made reference to the OWASA easement and said that we could urge Carrboro to negotiate with OWASA to make this an official greenway. Commissioner Brown asked if the mountain biking would be closed down if the Clean Water Management Trust Fund money were received. David Stancil said that it would not close down all of it, but only some of it. John Link said that his understanding is that this item is on Carrboro's agenda tomorrow night. He said that it might be a good idea to share with Carrboro tomorrow the questions and ideas expressed by the Board. Commissioner Brown wants to know if the mountain biking would be shut down if this property were purchased. Commissioner Halkiotis said that technically those people are trespassing. Geoff Gledhill said that they are not trespassing if there are not any "no trespassing" signs. The Board agreed to invite Carrboro to the meeting of November 19`h to clarify the issues of the request for funding to acquire the Adams Tract. David Stancil said that we would not be able to do all of the projects, but the staff proposes to pursue them in a priority fashion and do as much as possible. He mentioned that Commissioner Gordon had asked that the Board not pursue action on the action plan until she was present. Commissioner Brown asked about Faucette Mill and what we were trying to do there. David Stancil said that he hopes to accept donations of conservation easements. There are several property owners in the area that have significant natural and cultural resources and have expressed an interest. Commissioner Brown asked for more information on White Cross and working with OWASA on the mitigation tract. She said that we did get a report from OWASA on the mitigation tract and it is not available for anything except what it is being used for now. She