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12 <br /> Michael Harvey <br /> From: Jeff Masten <jmasten@tic-nc.org> <br /> Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2012 8:34 AM <br /> To: Michael Harvey <br /> Subject: RE:Trail from Dunhill Subdivsion <br /> Yes,here you go,a signed letter will be emailed later today. This language does not specify costs or expenses, but for <br /> the county's needs I believe it fits the intended goal of knowing whether TLC would allow a trail connection. <br /> September 26,2012 <br /> Michael D. Harvey <br /> Current Planning Supervisor <br /> Orange County Planning Department <br /> P.O. Box 8181 <br /> 131 West Margaret Lane <br /> Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br /> RE: Dunhill Subdivision Trail Connection to Johnston Mill Nature Preserve <br /> Dear Michael, <br /> The Triangle Land Conservancy was recently approached by David Weekly Homes to consider a potential trail <br /> connection between the proposed Dunhill Subdivision located on Mt Sinai Road and the trail network located on TLC's <br /> Johnston Mill Nature Preserve. TLC has conducted an analysis of the suitability of such a trail connection. <br /> Traditionally,TLC does not endorse the connection of singular social trails between individual properties and its <br /> nature preserves. The number of individual neighbors each having their own trails can get excessive and lead to a <br /> diminution of the property's conservation values. Limiting individual trails is a challenge to enforce. When presented <br /> with a potential subdivision being constructed on a neighboring property it behooves TLC to analyze the impact of the <br /> subdivision on the Nature Preserve including consideration of developing a singular approved access point to the Nature <br /> Preserve on a sustainable appropriately built trail. <br /> In considering additional trail connections,TLC must consider the environmental impacts of increased use and <br /> trail alignment. It must consider the cost to maintain new trail and the stewardship obligations imposed on TLC staff in <br /> the future. And lastly,TLC must consider how the new trail fits with the organization's mission. TLC constructed <br /> and sustains the Johnston Mill Nature Preserve as a publically accessible amenity to further TLC's goals of connecting <br /> people with nature and educating the public about conservation,water quality and wildlife habitat. <br /> Upon review of these and many more conditions,TLC has determined that Johnston Mill Nature Preserve does have the <br /> capacity to handle the anticipated foot traffic proposed by the Dunhill Subdivision trail connection. <br /> TLC will entertain discussions about the construction of a trail between the Dunhill subdivision and Johnston Mill <br /> Nature Preserve dependent upon the following conditions and understandings: <br /> a. Only a singular TLC approved trail connection may be constructed between the Dunhill Subdivision and <br /> Johnston Mill Nature Preserve. No trail connections are otherwise permitted between the Dunhill <br /> Subdivision and the Johnston Mill Nature Preserve. <br /> b. Any trail built on TLC property must be built to TLC specifications and conditions,constructed by TLC <br /> chosen/managed means or contractors. <br /> c. TLC will be compensated for its costs in facilitating the neighboring trail construction and signage. <br /> d. TLC will require a one-time stewardship endowment contribution for future stewardship costs related to <br /> the maintenance of the trail. The trail connection and stewardship calculation is calibrated to the <br /> i <br />