Orange County NC Website
Chair Brown said that she is trying to think of how a more successful siting <br />process could take place. One of the issues to be looked at is the land use planning <br />and the adapted small area plans far bath the southern part of Chapel Hill and the <br />Northern Small Area Plan far Carrbara and what those plans say. She worked on both <br />of these plans and basically they are long-range plans for the urbanization of bath of <br />these areas. The urbanization relies on public transportation and lesson cars. UNC <br />has adapted a policy for parking and it is working. She suggested using this as a <br />boilerplate for a successful design of a school. She asked about the status of the Rock <br />Haven site because a development proposal has already been submitted to the Town of <br />Carrboro. <br />Gloria Foley said that this needs to be discussed more. Eubanks Road is much <br />more rural than other properties. Chair Brown said that it appears rural, but it is the <br />designated area for an urbanized plan. She said that there is discussion about eminent <br />domain. <br />Chair Brawn asked County Attorney Geoff Gledhill about eminent domain. Geoff <br />Gledhill said that the Board of Education has eminent domain power and can condemn <br />property for a school site ar expansion of an existing school site. The only complication <br />that arises with the school board using this power is the requirement in North Carolina <br />law that the County Commissioners approve the amount that is spent for the school. <br />The problem is that eminent domain is an uncertain process and you do not know until <br />you are finished what it is going to cast far the site. There is no way that the Board of <br />County Commissioners could approve up front the amount to be spent with an eminent <br />domain process. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked if the County could work with the school board staff <br />ar attorney on this. She said that she would not like to broadcast what the County was <br />willing to pay. Geoff Gledhill said that a jury would most likely decide how much the <br />Board of Education would have to pay. <br />Discussion ensued about the eminent domain issue. <br />Commissioner Jacobs expressed his sympathy to the school board and staff <br />because this is a difficult process. The sites are becoming more difficult to find. He <br />said that the way he understands the process, the highest priority is to have a high <br />school by a certain time and the second highest priority is to have a high school in a <br />certain area. We have talked repeatedly about an urban design and an architect who is <br />hired specifically far their expertise in designing urban high schools. His concern is that <br />we are spending money beyond what we can da for an unsustainable model. He will <br />not be sympathetic to spending more money on that model. We are a growing <br />community and he would rather spend money on public transportation than on parking. <br />He said that he would do everything he could to support the most frugal land use model <br />and financial model. <br />Commissioner Carey said that he has been hearing that the priorities are <br />different than Commissioner Jacobs stated above. He has been hearing from the <br />school board and the citizens that the priorities are just the opposite. He wants to be <br />clear on the message the Board is sending to the school board about funding. He <br />wants to see the documentation for justification, but he is willing to accept the school <br />board's judgement that a school is needed in the southern part of the district. He <br />agrees that frugality is important, but he can approve spending mare than $25 million. <br />