Orange County NC Website
a) Park Plans <br />Environment and Resource Conservation Director Dave Stancil said that this has been a <br />culmination of a number of years of discussion. He gave some background on the project. In <br />2004, the County and Town agreed to work together to develop a master plan for this site. The <br />County and the Town adopted a memorandum of agreement that laid out the charge and the <br />mission for the Fairview Master Plan Committee, which was able to accomplish the design in <br />four meetings over three months. He made reference to page 3, which outlines the activities of <br />the committee. He said that they knew going into this that they were likely to design facilities in <br />excess of the available funding. The design has pods of activities. The southern pod includes a <br />baseball/softball field, tennis courts, and basketball courts. They were able to make the facility <br />easily accessible because of the boundary of streets. There is also a main trail that connects <br />the southern pad with the police station. Page 5 lists the priorities that the committee came up <br />with. <br />Chair Jacobs asked the staff to mention why the entrance road makes the jag to the <br />parking area and Marybeth Carr said that the road jogs to save a rather large Oak tree. <br />Michael Gering asked about identifying the motor pool. Eric Peterson said that they <br />have made some square footage estimates. He thinks that there is adequate space to do what <br />needs to be done. <br />Eric Hallman asked about the next steps. Dave Stancil said that the next step would be <br />for the individual boards to consider and approve the master plan. Once that is done, the land <br />swap for the public works site would need to be addressed. There is also some discussion <br />about a possible memorandum of agreement regarding operation and maintenance of the park. <br />Brian Lowen suggested that, once the master plan is approved, a large copy of the plan <br />be made for the Fairview community. <br />b) US Highway 70 Redevelopment Project <br />Economic Development Director Dianne Reid said that this relates to the portion of US <br />70 from Lakeshore Drive west of old NC 86 to the commercially zoned property to the east of <br />NC 86. <br />Planning Director Craig Benedict said that the County worked with DOT with Moving <br />Ahead funds aver the last few years to resurface the road out into Alamance County. This is the <br />start of an infrastructure to improve the image. During the quarterly meetings with DOT, it was <br />suggested that rights-of-way be acquired to have room for sidewalks and turn lanes, which will <br />prime opportunities to leverage grant money for economic development funds available from the <br />State. <br />Eric Peterson said that they are waiting for both boards to endorse this sa that they can <br />get approval for use of staff time, etc. They are anxious to get moving. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked about the new Laundromat and the impressive sidewalk. <br />He asked if the builder had to put that sidewalk in or if they did it on their own. Margaret Hauth <br />said that it was required. Commissioner Halkiotis said that it enhances the whole area. <br />Craig Benedict said that an important facet of redevelopment in an area with existing <br />houses is tying a good roadway network sa that there is not a driveway every 50 feet. <br />Hillsborough has some sidewalk and outdoor lighting regulations, and these are all facets of <br />changing the image of the community. <br />Chair Jacobs said that this is a great opportunity to do some smart growth/infill where <br />the infrastructure is there. He said that he would like to ask each board to solicit people who <br />would serve on a group for this project. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked if this posed any threat to traditional neighbors and that <br />eventually a saturation point is going to be met where existing homes may be taken down to <br />