Agenda - 09-06-2012 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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57 Todd Orr spoke against the plan to rezone the area north of Old NC 10 and south of the railroad to ECE-1. It is inconsistent with the current residential character or undeveloped character of this area. He said that this area is proposed by Durham to be low-density residential. He does not understand why Orange County would be proposing a more intense development of that area. Chris Kelsey said that the maps are very confusing. He suggested that the maps be clearer. He said that he moved into Orange County to be in a more rural environment. He suggested limiting the amount of industry. Commissioner McKee asked for an answer to a question about forced hookups to water and sewer. Craig Benedict said that no lines would be extended to specific properties in the residential neighborhoods. There will be a policy similar to the City of Durham's sewer policy. John Roberts said that several people mentioned annexation as a concern. He said that annexation is not a County function. He said that the General Assembly has made annexation a little more difficult for cities to do involuntarily. Cities now have to provide notice to counties when they cross county lines. Property owners do have the ability to some extent block involuntary annexation. For the most part, cities will only annex on a voluntary process. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the western portion of what is being proposed beyond where it was recommended by the Eno EDD group. Craig Benedict said that the western portion was not within the original Eno Economic Development boundary. When the Durham interlocal agreement was brought forward, it was found that there was an urban growth boundary outside of the Eno and it was suggested to bring forth land use plan amendments to backfill the urban growth boundary. Commissioner Jacobs said that last week when the Board considered the advertisement for this public hearing, he specifically asked if this exactly followed what the Eno EDD Work Group recommended and Craig Benedict said yes. He said that this is, in fact, not true, but it is an amplification to match what Durham put on the map of Orange County. It is not what the EDD work group recommended to the Board of County Commissioners. Craig Benedict said that aspects within that Eno Economic Development zone, especially around Whispering Pines,were within the district. That part is correct. There were areas outside of that, and if he was not as clear,then he apologizes. Commissioner Jacobs said that he started on the Planning Board in 1985 and this is one of the most poorly presented proposals that he has seen. There was a small area plan in which the Board of County Commissioners had no presentation and members of the public had to bring it up at the community meeting. There is still no copy. The maps are very confusing. There was not one word mentioned by staff about environmental impacts. There was not one word mentioned by staff about rural character impacts. There was barely a mention of neighborhood impacts. He said that this is a County where these are the values (applause). He does support economic development and he has worked on virtually all of the small area plans, but to rush to do something without doing it thoroughly and openly is a mistake. He suggested getting some written responses from Durham about what happens when the water line crosses individual properties. All of the issues of annexation need to be in writing. He wants to be honest with people that they will be in the City of Durham at some point.