Orange County NC Website
suggested criteria are in the abstract. The site should be approximately 20 acres, it <br />should be centrally located within the county, and it should be close to public <br />transportation and/or major roadways. The cost of the land and the site development <br />costs are of concern. It should also be compatible with surrounding land uses. This <br />public hearing kicks off the selection site process. The Site Selection Committee would <br />narrow down the sites and bring it back for another public hearing. The recommendation <br />should be made by late spring. Construction should be finished by 2006. The Site <br />Selection Committee consists of the County Commissioners, the Board of Trustee <br />representatives that live in Orange County (Dr. Maryann Peters and Anne Barnes). <br />Public Comment: <br />Jack Smyre, the planning consultant for Waterstone in Hillsborough, <br />reminded the Board that the master plan for VIlaterstone continues to indicate that this <br />would be an excellent site for the satellite campus because it meets all of the site <br />criteria. He said that they are on a timeline such that their review schedule will mesh <br />with the site selection process. The construction schedules are also similar. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked about the size of this site and it was answered <br />20 acres. <br />Commissioner Brown asked if he was giving the land or selling it. Jack <br />Smyre said that he was selling the land. <br />Commissioner Brown asked about the approval of this project and it was <br />answered that this project has not been permitted. <br />Commissioner Brown said that she does not think that the Site Selection <br />Committee should assist this project in getting permitted. Jack Smyre said that he thinks <br />that they would be ahead of this process and this is not the intent. He said that it would <br />be an economic loss to sell the land to the County. <br />Allen Spalt made reference to the public hearing an the site last spring. He <br />thinks this is a terrific idea, but he is nervous about the discussion of this as a 20-acre <br />site. He has been to several in North Carolina, and they tend to be automobile-oriented. <br />And he does not think that this is the best that the County can do far this project. He <br />hopes the committee will look at the best way to do this, and maybe it will not be on a <br />20-acre site. <br />Chair Jacobs said that they have had these discussions with Durham Tech <br />and they are receptive to looking at things differently. <br />Commissioner Brown said that the 20 acres does not encourage or say that <br />there are alternatives to the 20 acres. She would like to add this to the language. She is <br />also interested in the co-location of other County facilities within this community college. <br />The most obvious thing would be a library. She said that there is extra property located <br />near Cedar Ridge High School. She thinks this is owned by the school system. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner <br />Carey to close the public hearing. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />Chair Jacobs suggested conducting the next public hearing and dealing with <br />the consent agenda and the APS contract. One of the December meetings could be <br />started early to catch up an everything. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that we never catch up. <br />Commissioner Brown said that the SAPFO decision item needs to be <br />established when and where it is going to be addressed. <br />