Orange County NC Website
000094 <br /> mini-warehouses and a convenience store have come into being since Chandler <br /> Concrete Plant was put into effect. <br /> Harry Harkins, attorney representing Dr. Sally Feather and Ms. Betsy <br /> Rhine, spoke in opposition stating that his clients felt that this request went <br /> to the very essence of why Orange County needs the Land Use Plan. It would <br /> destroy the buffer zone between the concrete plant and the residential area. <br /> Harkins noted that Chandler did not acquire this land from the Rhine heirs. <br /> The property was sold to a real estate agent who later sold it to Chandler <br /> Concrete. The Rhine heirs would never have sold this property for commercial <br /> use. <br /> Laura Feather, daughter of Dr. Sally Feather, then read a letter (A copy <br /> of the descriptive narrative is in the permanent agenda file in the office of <br /> the Clerk to the Board) from Dr. Sally Feather in opposition of the amendment <br /> to the LUP. <br /> Ms. Feather continued, speaking in her own behalf. She felt the concrete <br /> company had shown a lack of regard for the well-being of the residents in the <br /> area. She continued that she felt it had been misused as an industrial waste <br /> disposal site and that it did jeopardize comfort, health and safety of the <br /> neighbors. She also expressed concerns with traffic safety given the number <br /> and size of vehicles and the narrow road. <br /> The concern for screening and buffer area was again expressed. <br /> Betsy Rhine, whose home is directly across the road from Chandler Concrete <br /> Co., then spoke. She stated that from her driveway she could view the entire <br /> project. She noted the lack of trees and stated that this helped to magnify <br /> the noise from the project. She stated that last summer the property was <br /> divided among the heirs and her brother went to Apple Creek Realty to talk to <br /> Mr. James Rae Freeland about the possibility of selling his property and Mr. <br /> Freeland assured him that the zoning would remain Residential-1. Her brother, <br /> with this reassurance, sold the land to James Freeland in late August of 1984. <br /> In early March 1985, she noted the property was completely cleared and stripped <br /> of all vegetation and it was evident that Chandler Concrete was expanding its <br /> operation. Ms. Rhine noted that she then contacted the Planning Department. <br /> She indicated it was two weeks before work was stopped on the site. She <br /> continued that the applicant had continued to use the land for cleaning the <br /> concrete trucks and emptying out into the pits. A petition was circulated among <br /> residents and she noted that almost everyone had complaints. She cited a letter <br /> from Ada Nichols expressing concern over the destruction of her driveway by the <br /> trucks. Gordon reminded citizens at this point, that this was only a request <br /> for a LUP amendment. If the amendment was implemented, then a request for <br /> rezoning would come forth. A real estate appraiser from Chapel Hill, P. H. <br /> Craig, was retained by the Rhines and he presented the following findings: <br /> He referenced maps regarding potential homesites and noted that they would <br /> look straight across to the pits and the lake precludes effective screening; <br /> all topsoil has been stripped and pits are easily visible. All frontages on SR <br /> 1710 will be adversly effected by the use or rezoning. He felt the whole 46 <br /> acres would suffer about $30,000 damage. <br /> M. C. Allison, a resident in Strayhorn Hills since 1978, spoke for <br /> residents of his immediate neighborhood. He noted damage done to vehicles due <br /> to rocks being thrown by concrete trucks. There were places where the cement <br /> had been emptied on the side of the road. <br /> Willard Cates, resident of Byrdsville for 12 years, expressed concern with <br /> traffic problems, debris and concrete spillage on sides of the road and near <br /> stop sign. <br />