Orange County NC Website
10. Reports <br />a. Southern Park (Town of Chapel Hill) Special Use Permit <br />The Board reviewed a Special Use Permit (SUP) under consideration by the Town of <br />Chapel Hill for Southern Community Park, a Chapel Hill town park that would be constructed <br />with County 1997 and 2001 parks bond funds. <br />Bill Webster from the Chapel Hill Recreation and Parks Department said that they are <br />asking for comments as they go through their regulatory process. He said that they have had <br />little or no public comments on this project. One important point is that the phasing plan has <br />not been settled. They are about $900,000 short to build the entire project. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked about the phasing plan and if it would delay the opening <br />of the park. Bill Webster said that, if everything goes well, they hope to begin construction as <br />early as the latter part of the calendar year. It would probably take about a year to build the <br />park. There should be no delay. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked about the three soccer fields and if they would still be <br />constructed. Bill Webster said that the plan shows three full-size soccer fields. They could be <br />phased in. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he thinks that they need to consider the fact that by <br />building a monumental development right down the road that Chatham County is going to be <br />sending a lot of users to this park. He thinks they should start looking at how to identify <br />Orange County users and non-Orange County users. He would be glad to talk to Chatham <br />County elected officials about whether they want to contribute to the development of this park. <br />He would strongly suggest that the Town Council talk about how to identify Orange County <br />residents versus non-Orange County residents. Otherwise, he does not think that Orange <br />County residents would be able to get adequate use from their tax dollars. <br />Commissioner Gordon agreed with Commissioner Jacobs. She said that at the Sierra <br />Club meeting, which she had attended, they were talking about the fact that the closest park <br />will be Southern Community Park and the closest library will be the Chapel Hill Library to this <br />new development in Chatham County. <br />Chair Carey asked that the Board be notified of when the recommendations for phasing <br />would be coming out. <br />Bill Webster said that Commissioners Gordon and Jacobs would be receiving copies <br />soon, as they are representatives. <br />11. Closed Session <br />Chair Carey announced that when they come out of closed session they will be <br />adjourning this meeting to March 24, 2005 and will cancel the March 22, 2005 meeting. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to <br />adjourn into closed session at 10:30 p.m. for the purpose of: <br />a. "To discuss the County's position and to instruct the County Manager and County <br />Attorney on the negotiating position regarding the terms of a contract to purchase real <br />property," NCGS § 143-318.11(a)(5). <br />b. "To discuss matters related to the location or expansion of industries or other <br />businesses in the area served by the public body, including agreement on a tentative <br />list of economic development incentives that may be offered by the public body in <br />negotiations," NCGS § 143-318.11(a)(4). <br />