Agenda - 05-01-1996 - IX-E - Laserfiche WebLink

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1. 74 make it a broad picture. Willis responded that it was included in the Commissioners' goals to look at the expansion of the district to the south side of I-85. She continued that it seemed like a logical to expand the district with the road network. Price continued expressing concern that the County might water and sewer service when there was no demand at this time for commercial development in that area. She felt that more residential should be allowed for lower income people. Her concern was that lower income people often get displaced because of prime commercial and industrial land noting again that there has been no expressed need for commercial development. Jobsis responded to the last concern expressed by Price. She stated that she had served on the Economic Development Task Force several years ago. The County and County Commissioners had made a commitment to toward determining specific areas in the County for economic development and then to label them as districts so that they could be planned for rather than simply allowing scattered development. That was a major goal. There has always been concern with infrastructure. It makes good sense to select areas for commercial development and to set standards for those areas. Price asked if there was a more suitable area nearer Mebane for such development. Jobsis responded that the goal was to get economic development to come to the County and this was a logical area due to easy access to I-40 and I-85. Price continued that she was thinking more of a cooperative effort with Mebane or Alamance County. Howie noted that Alamance County does not have county-wide planning. Brooks asked for clarification that the area being proposed for expansion is already zoned commercial-industrial. Willis responded that it is not zoned commercial but is designated a commercial industrial activity node in the Land Use Plan. Willis continued that one of the advantages of being in an Economic Development District to the county as well as developer and neighboring property owners is the Economic Development District Design Guidebook which has very stringent standards that have to be met to secure Staff approval. There is no rezoning process and it is known what kind of development can occur. Brooks asked if this would change the land owners tax obligation. Willis responded not until the land actually begins to develop and the uses change. Walters referred to her earlier comment that landowners had requested the economic development district designation and their request was specifically so that they would remain in the County's jurisdiction and the type of development would be better controlled. They had expressed concern with the seemingly"easy"approval process in Mebane and Walters agreed with that concern. Price asked if the existing residents would be required to connect to a water/sewer system and would fees be required. Willis responded that it would not be required that they automatically be connected. It would take time for the complete sewer system to be developed where residents could connect to it. It would be very cost prohibitive for anyone to install the complete system prior to development. Jobsis emphasized again that she felt that development would not occur or,would not occur for a long time unless there was some assistance with a sewer system. She also emphasized that she did not feel the County should install a complete system, but should offer some assistance as an incentives to developers. She noted that she