Minutes - 20080129 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Gordon said that the most important thing is that the transfer station be close to the center of the County's trash generation. She said that regional may be possible long-term, but not for the immediate needs. Commissioner Nelson suggested limiting the size of the site to 25 acres, because the bigger the site, the more it encumbers the site search. Chair Jacobs said that usage of the site should be limited and the size should be narrowed, because it will make the neighborhoods feel a lot less threatened. Commissioner Gordon asked how it would work if one of the towns wanted to partner with the County and how that would fit into the plan. Ed Shuffler asked for direction from the Board on how to pursue sites. He said that the general consensus is to focus on a MRF and transfer station, which would be about a 25-acre piece of property. This would be the minimum size to pursue. There will be no decision by the Board at this meeting. The consultants will come back with a recommendation for the Board of County Commissioners to vote on. Commissioner Gordon wants to ensure that there be public input before decisions are made at any meeting. Ed Shuffler asked how the Board wanted to approach the availability of property. Commissioner Foushee said that she would like to pursue sites that are for sale only and Commissioner Gordon agreed that it would be preferable. Chair Jacobs asked if that could be one of the weighting criteria and Ed Shuffler said yes. He said that he has done siting where heavy weight was put on those sites that are for sale, but other parcels can be included in the process. Chair Jacobs said that the Board's practice has been not to use condemnation, and he would want to put a heavy weight on voluntary sites. He wants to send a message to property owners that the County will weigh heavily against condemnation, but it would like to engage in conversation about whether to sell the property. Chair Jacobs asked Planning Director Craig Benedict about watershed maps and the part of Jordan Lake that is unprotected. He asked if the Neuse River Basin was subject to the study by the State of the entire basin. He wants to know how this will affect the watersheds. Craig Benedict said that the Jordan Lake unprotected would have some criteria subject to the new Jordan Lake rules, but they are still being developed. The expectation is that the Jordan Lake rules are the first phase of what might be done basin-wide. The unprotected part of the Neuse River Basin still has some rules pertaining to the basin, but they are not as heightened as if they were in the Lower Eno protected, Upper Eno critical, or Little River. Commissioner Gordon asked about the timeline for this and Craig Benedict said that the State is having discussions about mandates, etc. The timeframe has been fluid, but this summer there may be deadlines and standards. Laura Blackmon said that no matter where they are looking for sites, there would be some environmental considerations for construction at that site. Chair Jacobs pointed out that some considerations would mean that the buffers would need to be more. 5) Set Next Meeting Date and Tentative Agenda Ed Shuffler said that on the February 11th meeting they would bring back exclusionary criteria for the Board. Laura Blackmon said that this meeting needs to be longer than 1 % hours and Ed Shuffler agreed.