Orange County NC Website
7 <br /> 1 the County was ever to request a greenway, it would be a new process and the Board would <br /> 2 have to approve this. He said this is not currently in anyone's mind. <br /> 3 Commissioner Dorosin said it sounds like an agreement can be reached, with <br /> 4 protections. He asked if the Board can wait on this item until Mike Efland receives his <br /> 5 assurances in writing. <br /> 6 Craig Benedict said there is timing to this process, and the first letter has gone out. He <br /> 7 said there was no response, and this leads to a second letter implicating condemnation if the <br /> 8 parties cannot come to terms. He said the state is holding funding for Orange County, and he <br /> 9 does not want to forego the chance of this loan with the state. <br /> 10 Commissioner Dorosin asked if this could wait until the February 4th meeting. <br /> 11 Kevin Lindley said the acceptance of the loan resolution has more to do with when the <br /> 12 reimbursements can start; however, not having the easements in hand could hold up the <br /> 13 construction. He said this was bid back in November, and there is a certain timeframe during <br /> 14 which companies honor the bid price. <br /> 15 Commissioner Dorosin said he is not convinced yet. He said it would take longer to do a <br /> 16 condemnation than to take the time to work it out the land owner. He said this could be done in <br /> 17 the next week. <br /> 18 John Roberts said it is not necessary to delay the project. He said Mike Efland's <br /> 19 concerns can be addressed in the language of the terms of the easement agreement. <br /> 20 Commissioner McKee asked if the use language can be written in the easement. <br /> 21 John Roberts said it can be made clear in the agreement that the easement is solely for <br /> 22 a utility, water, or sewer line, and it can be limited to that purpose. <br /> 23 Commissioner Price asked if the Board can vote on this item, conditional to Mike. <br /> 24 Efland's requests being met. <br /> 25 John Roberts said a conditional approval is not an approval, and he advises against it. <br /> 26 Commissioner Pelissier asked if there was a plan for a greenway. <br /> 27 Chair Jacobs said this idea was considered about 15 years ago, but it was dropped and <br /> 28 it is not part of any current plan. <br /> 29 Commissioner Rich asked if there was anything in the Board's policy to help Mike Efland <br /> 30 plant back some of his trees. <br /> 31 Craig Benedict said there is some leeway for small trees, but there are no big trees <br /> 32 allowed. He said a 10 to 15 foot path is necessary for access, and smaller trees and <br /> 33 ornamental shrubs would be fine. He said there was effort to find a balance of the closeness to <br /> 34 the house and the closeness to the stream. He said the engineer was asked to re-design the <br /> 35 alignment to be as accommodating to Mike Efland as possible. <br /> 36 Commissioner Gordon said it sounds like there is a solution, and it is time sensitive. <br /> 37 She asked if John Roberts could suggest some language to accommodate the <br /> 38 recommendation and Mike Efland's concerns. She said this would include: 1. Approve the <br /> 39 recommendation; 2. Authorize the Manager to sign. <br /> 40 <br /> 41 John Roberts said they could possibly add language to the effect to authorize staff to <br /> 42 include in the easement document that there will not be any type of greenway or green space <br /> 43 on this easement area and some language about a gate being constructed. <br /> 44 <br /> 45 A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner McKee to: <br /> 46 1. Approve the recommendation; 2. Authorize the Manager to sign; and 3. Authorize staff to <br /> 47 include language in the easement document that clearly indicates there will be no greenway on <br /> 48 this easement and language addressing a gate to be constructed. <br /> 49 <br />