Minutes 05-27-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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David Rooks: And was that a fully developed subdivision at the time that you went? Rich Kirkland: They were still building. David Rooks: That's all I have. Thank you. Michael Fox: Thank you, Mr. Kirkland. Those are all the witnesses we have. I'd like to just take a brief moment to conclude and also give the Board an opportunity for any questions, if the Board has any before I conclude—the Planning Board or the County Board. Pete Hallenbeck: I think go ahead with your conclusion. And we want to get all the information, and then we'll be able to ask you better questions. Michael Fox: Great. Thank you. My conclusion is fairly short. We believe that this is a good project on its own, and it's a good project for Orange County and for this area that it's in. There are none of the traditional negatives that you see with some sort of proposed zoning project. There is no noise, no pollution, no traffic, no smell or odor. The site will be buffered and screened so that it will not be visible from the adjoining properties. And importantly to Orange County in particular, your County has made a point to promote sustainable businesses and sustainable energy. And there have been other sites similar to this that have been approved, and we feel that this site is worthy of approval as well. I know that there have been some issues about the particular zoning classification that this site is in —a rural buffer zone —and we understand that, and we understand that part of your goal was not to have traditional commercial development or industrial development in that zone. We feel that this project supports your goals of keeping that as a buffer zone, because you will not have commercial development in terms of shops or industrial development, businesses, buildings. This is a very passive use. It is really the best use if you want to keep land open and available for agriculture, because once — if the lease is ended at some point, you know after 15, 20, 30 years, it's very easy to go in and disassemble this site, and the land is back exactly like it was. So it preserves the land in the way that it is even better than a traditional single family subdivision, because once that goes in it, that is what it is always going to be. And you are going to have all the issues related to that—traffic—You are going to have to build, you know, the water system and the sewer system out to support that. You are going to have to have the additional schools. So, you know even a single family subdivision has a price to pay, although that is generally considered a desirable use. This site has none of those negatives. We feel like that, you know, here tonight we've presented competent evidence that would allow your boards to find that this should be approved. We've presented evidence that it would maintain or promote the public health, safety or general welfare; that it would maintain or enhance the value of contiguous property; and that it was in harmony with the area in which it is located, and it is in compliance with the plan for the physical development of the County. As a final note, I would like to ask that our exhibits be entered into evidence. And we would be happy to answer any questions the boards may have, and thank you for your time, and ask that you would consider this and approve it. Pete Hallenbeck: All right. Thank you very much. At this point, and Mr. Brian you can correct me if I am making a procedural mistake here - the gentleman there - and i forget your name— the attorney. Chair Jacobs: Mr. Rooks David Rooks: David Rooks, R-O-O-K-S.