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<br />a. Development of Orange County Transfer Station <br />The Board considered discussing and providing direction to staff, regarding a location for <br />an Orange County transfer station. <br />Solid Waste Director Gayle Wilson said that the Solid Waste staff is projecting that the <br />existing landfill will reach capacity about the middle of the year in 2010. At that time, Orange <br />County will be required to transport its waste to an out of county disposal facility. The <br />mechanism by which to transfer waste is a transfer station. The schedule for developing this is <br />about four years. There is only about three and a half years left before the County will need this <br />facility. The Board spoke at length on October 24th about transfer stations and the different <br />options. The Solid Waste Advisory Board recommended a site and that it be constructed and <br />developed on existing land on Eubanks Road. He understood at the meeting that the option of <br />utilizing the Durham transfer station was taken off the table, and for tonight he understood that <br />there would be three decision points to consider: 1} initiate a search process to identify a piece <br />of property for a transfer station site; 2) consider endorsing the SWAB recommendation to <br />develop the site on Eubanks Road on existing property; and 3} hold a public meeting among the <br />neighbors of the existing landfill and solicit opinion and comment. The Chair of the SWAB, Jan <br />Sassaman was in attendance to answer questions. <br />Laura Blackmon said that when she and Gayle Wilson talked last week, they spoke <br />about how the County is running out of time. She said that there appears to be room on the <br />current site for a transfer station. There was a property owner that suggested his site would be <br />large enough, but there has been no analysis of this site. She said that staff feels that the <br />current site is a good site, but there are some concerns with the neighborhood about what <br />exactly would go there. She said that the staff is seeking direction from the Board. <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to the third alternative and asked what the <br />agenda would be for the public meeting. Gayle Wilson said that the benefit would be to explain <br />to the neighbors what a transfer station is and what it can look like, and the pros and cons of a <br />transfer station versus a landfill. <br />Chair Carey suggested that staff proceed with examination of any site that has been <br />offered and then simultaneously schedule this neighborhood meeting to provide information and <br />solicit comment. <br />Commissioner Jacobs agreed about looking at the one piece of property. He said that if <br />there is going to be a meeting in the community, it should certainly not be on a Wednesday <br />night because of previous experience. He also thinks that it should be clear that there will never <br />be a materials recovery facility on that site or any other intensive solid waste uses. He would <br />like the County Commissioners to see the agenda before it is distributed to the public. <br />Commissioner Foushee echoed what Commissioner Jacobs said in terms of assuring <br />the neighbors that the Board of County Commissioners will make a commitment to them that <br />there will not be another landfill in the County. <br />Commissioner Nelson said that any commitment should be made in writing. He would <br />like to see the agenda before it goes out to the public. He said that he would like to see a cast <br />benefit analysis of both sites (i.e., fuel cost differentials, etc.). <br />The meeting will not be scheduled until after the first of the year. <br />Laura Blackmon clarified that she is hearing from the Board that a transfer station is the <br />only facility that will be added to this site and the Board agreed. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked that there be a clear report of the next steps and Laura <br />Blackmon said that at the January 23rd meeting, the staff would bring back a report on the <br />neighbor's meeting. <br />The Board agreed to defer items 9-c and 9-g, with the exception of the Hillsborough <br />Town Commissioner making any statements about the decision that was made Jost night. <br />