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On Monday, February 27, 2012, many of us attended the Joint Public Hearing of the <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners and Orange County Planning Board in regards to <br /> proposed planning and zoning changes that will affect our immediate neighborhood. Several of <br /> us stood and voiced our concerns regarding these proposals. This letter serves to further <br /> express our anxiety and trepidation regarding the planning/zoning along Old NC-10. <br /> Old NC-10 is a rural residential thoroughfare, from its origination at Old Hillsborough <br /> Road all the way to NC 86. It is a favored route of bicyclists in Orange County due to its <br /> relatively quiet, wooded character. The land immediately north of Old NC-10 and south of the <br /> railroad tracks is currently zoned as "Rural Residential," which is in keeping with the current <br /> surroundings. Most of the houses along Old NC-10 are on heavily wooded, acre-size lots. <br /> It has been proposed that this area to rezoned "EDE-1", which would allow for a number <br /> of different land uses including governmental, banking, real estate, and some commercial. In <br /> our opinion, this would negatively affect the character of our neighborhood and will detract from <br /> the charm and appeal of rural Orange County. Scattered along Old NC-10 are houses on <br /> relatively large lots. The change in zoning may create a patchwork of business along this rural ' <br /> country road which will increase traffic and tarnish its appeal. The proposed changes are <br /> simply not consistent with the present surroundings. <br /> While we remain apprehensive about many of the proposed Durham Plan Amendments, <br /> it seems they recognize the wisdom of keeping Old NC-10 residential as their proposed plan <br /> would zone this same area as "Very Low Density Residential to Low Density Residential." <br /> b. Matters on the Printed Aqenda <br /> (These matters were considered when the Board addressed that item on the agenda <br /> below.) <br /> 3. Petitions bv Board Members (Three Minute Limit Per Commissioner) <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz petitioned the Board to make a change in one of its processes <br /> whereby it receives prospective appointments to advisory boards that it will be considering prior <br /> to the Board meeting —at least about a week before the meeting. <br /> This petition was referred to the agenda review process. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked the Board that during subsequent discussions on transit <br /> that they be the first regular item on agendas. <br /> Chair Pelissier said that she attended many sessions on fracking at NCACC and NACo, <br /> and she would like to petition the Board to consider a resolution to oppose fracking until the <br /> environmental impact statements come back. <br /> Chair Pelissier said that each of these items will be referred to the agenda review team. <br /> 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> a. Special Recoqnition for the Carol Woods Retirement Communitv <br /> The Board was to consider recognizing the Carol Woods Retirement community for its <br /> continuing financial contribution to Orange County. <br /> DEFERRED <br />