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Energy Policy Act of 1992 fixture performance requirements. This is an obtainable goal, and if <br /> they're asked to do this, you'll find that it's possible. It's being done in State buildings right now. <br /> And 30% energy efficient. <br /> There's more for you to read in the submittal, but this is the gist. Thank you. <br /> Ruffin Slater: I have been sworn. I'm the General Manager of Weaver Street Market, we have <br /> grocery stores in Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and soon we'll have one in Hillsborough. I've been <br /> involved in economic development in the County for the last 20 years as a businessperson. I've <br /> been on various boards and commissions, including serving as the Chair of the Economic <br /> Development Commission, where I became familiar with retail leakage and other economic <br /> development issues. While this project may provide solutions to some economic development <br /> challenges, it may well exacerbate others. I urge you to consider the project's net economic <br /> impact and whether or not it will truly be beneficial for our local economy. While it's likely a <br /> development of this size will attract some stores that we don't have in the County, it's equally <br /> likely it will house other businesses that are in direct competition to our traditional downtown. <br /> Southpoint has had a dramatic negative impact on our downtown businesses, not just retail, but <br /> restaurant and entertainment businesses. Another center of this size on the other side of our <br /> downtowns will further erode the fortunes of our downtown businesses, especially in <br /> Hillsborough and Mebane. This development is specifically sited to attract national chains, <br /> which, although they pay the same taxes as local businesses, beyond that, have dramatically <br /> different economic impact. About 85 cents of every dollar spent in the national chain leaves our <br /> community, and the 15 cents that stays typically goes to pay low-wage jobs. By contrast, about <br /> 50 cents of every dollar spent in a local business stays in the community and supports other <br /> local businesses and typically pays higher wages. I urge you to consider the true economic <br /> impact of this project, the impact not just on new business, but the impact on existing business, <br /> and also to consider the difference in the economic impact on national chains and local <br /> businesses. <br /> Janine Zanin: I'm a property owner on Timberwood Trail in Efland. I was sworn. I have not <br /> yet made up my mind about how I feel about this development. I came here tonight to learn <br /> more about the developers' intent and just to get some specifics. I am leaving here with some <br /> questions that I'd like to ask, and also some concerns that I didn't have before I came. There's <br /> been a lot of talk about two different ideas, one is keeping Orange County dollars in Orange <br /> County and getting Orange County residents to stay at home for their shopping. On the <br /> surface, this sounds like a fabulous idea. I question whether this specific location is appropriate <br /> for that goal. We just built some new soccer fields next to the middle school, and all I've been <br /> reading in the paper is about how the folks in Chapel Hill don't want to drive to those soccer <br /> fields. I'm not really convinced that they're going to want to come to the Buckhorn Village <br /> shopping area. I do think that one thing that might encourage that travel is if this was a unique, <br /> green, local development. I haven't heard who's going to be there, I haven't heard enough <br /> details to really make up my own mind whether I think that's what it's going to be. I did move <br /> and buy property though in Orange County because I trust the leaders of Orange County more <br /> than surrounding counties to base their decisions on priorities of Orange County residents, and I <br /> think you've heard some of them here today. Those are transportation issues, the environment, <br /> and keeping local folks in good business. One thing I heard that concerned me today, that I <br /> hope is not the goal of the developers, is that one of the great things about developing this <br /> particular location is that they will access the 84,000 cars a day that travel through the area <br /> without degradation to the rest of Orange County. Does this mean that they're going to be <br /> degrading the place where I live? And I certainly hope that's not the case and that it's not the <br /> intention of the developers. That was one of my concerns, a lot of what's been in the paper and <br />