Agenda - 06-17-2014-11d - Laserfiche WebLink

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33 Page 2 of 3 Supplemental Questions: Orange County Planning Board (REQUIRES DISCLOSURE STATEMENT) Lydia Wegman Please list the workivolunteer experience /qualifications that would add to your expertise for this board. Please see the answers provided to the question for the Board of Adjustment. What unique perspective can you bring to the Orange County Planning Board? My husband and I have lived for over 23 years in the county. I love the rural beauty and character of where we live, off of Mt. Sinai Road, while also loving the vibrancy, retail and commercial spaces and opportunities for entertainment provided by downtown Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough. I would strive as a participant on the Planning Board to preserve that balance of services within the county and feel I am well - qualified to do so based on my many years at the USEPA, where balancing environmental protection and sustainable economic growth is essential. What do you see as the responsibilities of this board, and what do you hope to accomplish if appointed? believe the board s responsibilities are to ensure achievement of the county s long -term comprehensive plan for development and conservation of open space. These twin goals, which are linked to the promotion of transportation alternatives, infrastructure development, conservation of farm and park land and fostering desirable economic growth in designated areas, are crucial to sustaining the county s virtues for years to come. I hope to be an active participant on the board, educating myself fully about projects which come before the board, and raising questions or offering alternative approaches as appropriate. I would very much hope to be a constructive participant on the board, seeking to reach agreements through compromises which equitably take into account the needs of various stakeholders. What do you consider to be be the most important issues facing Orange County related to growth? Preservation of open space, including farm land and park land while permitting sustainable growth and economic development. Ensuring consideration of infrastructure and transportation needs when reviewing applications so that proponents are required to contribute to the provision of services needed to support their projects. Assuring that environmental justice communities are involved in any projects which concern them and that their needs are fully considered. Preserving the rural buffer, What role should the Planning Board take in guiding and regulating growth? The Planning Board needs to provide leadership in regulating growth. It needs to articulate the factors that it considers when reviewing projects and consider the way in which proposals are consistent with or antithetical to the county s long -term plans for growth and preservation of open space. It must reflect the views and priorities of the BOCC and identify for the BOCC ways in which a proposal supports, or fails to enhance, the county s comprehensive plan and long- term priorities. How would you, as a member of the Planning Board, contribute to the implementation of the Board of Commissioners' adopted Goals and Priorities? As noted more fully in my response to the same question for the Board of Adjustment, I believe that my expertise in and knowledge of environmental law and policy would enable me to contribute significantly to the implementation of the Commissioners goals and priorities. I believe my long experience in working with a broad variety of stakeholders would be invaluable to the Board in helping to understand the many facets of specific projects and help weigh the pros and cons of such projects in light of the goals and priorities. I am very much committed to the preservation of the county s rural areas while providing for sustainable growth within the county and believe my capacity to comprehend and balance the needs of different parties, including environmental justice communities, would be useful in implementing the goals and priorities.