Orange County NC Website
038 <br /> The following people were sworn in for public comment: <br /> Amos Umstead, Samuel Holton, Carl Walters, Charley Bunipass, Peggy Bauer, <br /> Jeff Hale, Margaret Umstead. <br /> Amos Umstead, a resident of Craig Road, stated there were already two <br /> mobile home parks in the vicinity and he felt there was no need for another <br /> one. He expressed concerns with the increase in traffic, pollution and trash <br /> and he also had a concern that non whites might be excluded from the <br /> development. <br /> Commissioner Marshall asked if Mr. Umstead was objecting in regard to <br /> public health, safety and welfare. Umstead responded yes but he noted also <br /> that he was concerned with discrimination. <br /> Samuel Holton, owner of 65 acres across the street from this proposed <br /> development, expressed concerns with destruction of property, the dumping of <br /> trash, destruction of roads by trail bikes, thefts, etc. He has spent money to <br /> have his property cleaned up and the dumping of trash and destruction of <br /> property continues. He felt this would be a "slum" on the edge of Willowhaven <br /> and that a more desirable residential area could be developed. <br /> Planning Board member Wilson inquired of Mr. Holton if his point was that <br /> this development would be a threat to the value of his property and Mr. Holton <br /> responded that that was his number one concern and, secondly, he was <br /> addressing his perception of the welfare of the community. <br /> Planning Board member Yuhasz inquired of Mr. Holton what evidence he had <br /> that this development would be worse or contribute more problems than if it <br /> were developed as a single-family development with the higher density <br /> permitted in terms of numbers of units. Mr. Holton responded that the evi- <br /> dence was, he supposed, his opinion. His perception was the mobile home parks <br /> have more impact on public health, safety and welfare than other developments. <br /> Commissioner Willhoit asked the County Attorney for clarification on the <br /> question of the impact on the value of property and specifically if an <br /> appraiser's opinion is needed to certify the question of property value. <br /> Gledhill responded that one may consider as evidence the testimony of the <br /> property owner's opinion as to the value/impact on his own property. There <br /> would still be the question of how much weight to be assigned to the testimony. <br /> Gledhill continued that what he had heard was somewhat speculative, <br /> particularly in the context that this same property could be subdivided into <br /> 40,000 sq. foot lots and mobile homes could be placed on these lots. He had <br /> not heard anything that says that this proposal would effect the value more <br /> than subdivision into individual lots. He suggested experts would need to <br /> address the question of value. <br /> Planning Board member Kizer noted that given that this development was <br /> being discussed under the terms of the Special Use Permit, then the burden of <br /> proof shifts to the opposition regarding documented evidence and substantiated <br /> opinion. <br />