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I <br /> discussions with the Manager and the County Attorney, they recommend adding back what the <br /> Planning Board asked to remove. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that the part that she read about the reason the Planning <br /> Board wanted to delete the public access was because there may be another way to access. <br /> Craig Benedict said that there are some other dedications to the County that occur farther down, <br /> but he does not think it is complete. <br /> Commissioner Gordon made reference to a water concern and asked for a summary of <br /> this. Craig Benedict said that they asked the applicant to do a water resource sustainability <br /> report and a hydro-geologist determined that the lower density is sustainable and the results <br /> would not impact adjacent homeowners. <br /> Chair Jacobs noted that there was a meeting of the two department heads of ERCD and <br /> Health and the chairs of the respective boards, and they agreed to try and work together to <br /> come up with a proposal about the water resources position that will come back to the Board of <br /> County Commissioners. <br /> Chair Jacobs asked some clarifying questions that were answered by Craig Benedict. <br /> Chair Jacobs asked about maintaining the buffer in its natural state — page 7, #2 — and <br /> Geof Gledhill said that this could be covered in the restrictive covenants. <br /> Chair Jacobs asked about the relation between areas that are reserved for septic repair <br /> and the general covenants regarding open space and if there is any special disposition for the <br /> septic repair possibility. Geof Gledhill said that this open space could not be used for septic <br /> system repairs. Craig Benedict said that the primary repair areas would be within the lot. <br /> Chair Jacobs asked about the pros and cons of having a community well and Tom <br /> Heffner said that it would have cost more to have a community well in this case. <br /> Chair Jacobs made reference to page 37 and the Town of Carrboro's courtesy review <br /> comments. Regarding connectivity, he was curious about the space between the cul-de-sacs <br /> and he asked if there was a way to have a pedestrian to connect. Craig Benedict said that <br /> there have been no outright discussions about that. <br /> Chair Jacobs made reference to page 47 and the issue of people parking on <br /> Westhampton Way to access the trail. He asked if there could be a cut out on the road so that <br /> cars could pull off for access if it is County open space. Craig Benedict said that there is a 50- <br /> foot right-of-way there and there would be land on the side of the pavement. It was not <br /> anticipated that this would be a trailhead. <br /> Chair Jacobs made reference to Hatch Road and DOT's comments. He said that he <br /> thinks that they have an archaic way of doing road improvements in the State. He thinks that <br /> when there is a reasonable sized subdivision, the County should require a turn lane. He would <br /> like to see a discussion about having a right turn lane taper or a left turn lane going north. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis said that this has been a hot button issue for many years <br /> regarding the public walking on people's property. He said that he does not want anyone <br /> walking in his backyard either. He made reference to page 47 where Brian Dobyns comments <br /> on a trail on Neville Road that has access through people's backyards. The Triangle Land <br /> Conservancy feels that this is an easement designed to protect natural areas and floodplains <br /> and is not for public use. He asked if all easements that the County has acquired are intended <br /> for public use or if they were intended to protect natural areas and floodplains. Craig Benedict <br /> said that they have not had the opportunity to make public dedications along natural areas. The <br /> majority of the easements in the County do not have public access. <br /> John Link said that he got a call from ERCD Director Dave Stancil, who said that their <br /> perspective is that the natural area needs to be dedicated as a natural area and he does not <br /> stress the public access aspect of this. <br /> Geof Gledhill said that one of the things that is driving public access is the fact that this <br /> land is being dedicated for open space and public recreation. <br />