Agenda - 11-19-1997 - 10a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Provisional Cane Creek Recommendations 21 June 26, 1997 Page 9 Other Recommendations • Seek rezoning of the Alamance County portion of the watershed, which is currently designated for 1-acre residential development,to be consistent with Orange County zoning. • Seek consideration by Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County for Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) opportunities for Cane Creek property owners. With appropriate enabling legislation, these jurisdictions could establish higher density "receiving areas" in which developers could exercise development rights (density bonuses)purchased directly from property owners in the watershed. OWASA and its customers would benefit from decreased density in the watershed; Cane Creek property owners would benefit from TDR payments in return for additional (voluntary) development restrictions; and in-town developers would benefit through density bonuses in designated areas. All transactions would remain in the private sector. Recommended OWASA Actions Large-lot zoning and open space development alone will not achieve future water quality goals, but must be supported by additional open space acquisition by OWASA, as well as possible construction and operation of a tributary subimpoundment(mini-lake) on Caterpillar or Tom's Creek. The need for such a facility will depend in part on future development activities, specifically the amount of open space development that takes place in coming years, and the actual size of newly subdivided lots.' Land Acquisition: OWASA will need to purchase approximately 1,260 acres of land in addition to the 1,600 acres already owned in the watershed to meet future water quality goals. Based on current land prices, the total cost would be more than$6 million (1997 dollars). To achieve these land acquisition goals, OWASA will: • Allocate sufficient funds over the next five years to proceed pro-actively toward protecting critical land in the watershed. • Seek grant funds from the newly established North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund. • Consider establishing a controlled sell-back program through which land purchased in fee simple is returned-to the private market with permanent conservation easements attached. Tributary Subimpoundment: Depending on the degree of cluster type development that occurs and the actual size of new subdivision lots, it may also be necessary for OWASA to create a 20 to 40-acre subimpoundment(mini-lake) near the mouth of Caterpillar or Tom's Creek.