Minutes 05-27-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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and metal objects becoming dangerous projectiles. These are sensible concerns, and function as significant stressors already causing harm to our citizens. Aside from my own reports, we have letters from the resident's doctors documenting the harm that could come from these stressors and urge you to consider how this proposal violates the standards of health and safety when considering these less visible, but no less important mental health and emotional factors. My third point involves the proposed large fences which have ironic and contradictory purposes. They are supposed to act as a pleasant screen with plantings, and also as a formidable security barrier with posted signs saying KEEP OUT, DANGER, HIGH VOLTAGE. Most of the community has been here for many years. Over 35 years, I've built two houses in the Falls of New Hope as my family expanded. This project will change the nature of the main intersection at Cascade and Falls Drive from rural residential to industrial utility. We will be greeted by a locked security gate and prominent warning signs. The applicant might argue that these signs and fence are there to protect us and their facility. However, the security fences communicate that we are unwelcome intruders in our own neighborhood. I ask you, should residents of their own established community have to feel like intruders in their own homes and streets? The 8 foot high security fence connotes a prison camp, not a neighborhood. It's my professional opinion that the County will be harming its citizens if it allows this array in this residential neighborhood. Falls of New Hope was hit hard by Hurricane Fran. No one voted for that disaster. Unlike Hurricane Fran, this is a disaster that you can stop. Thank you for your attention. David Rupp: Questions? Michael Fox: I don't have any questions for this witness. David Rupp: Thank you. Sharon Ryan. Sharon Ryan: Commissioner Jacobs, Orange County Commissioners, Mr. Hallenbeck, Orange County Planning Board, thank you for allowing me to address you this evening. My name is Sharon Ryan. I live at 5701 Cascade Drive in Falls of New Hope. I would like to give a brief introduction, address two points, and make my conclusion. I have lived in Durham and Chapel Hill since 1970. I have rented or bought eight different houses during that period of time. Falls of New Hope is by far my favorite area that I have lived. In the spirit of full disclosure, I grew up on a farm in Connecticut, I have been interested in environmental issues for more than twenty years, and I was the first Chapel Hill representative for the solar company called Citizenre. According to the online research I performed and from speaking with local planning departments, there are seven existing solar utilities in Orange, Durham, Wake and Chatham Counties, six built by Strata Solar in Chapel Hill and one built by FLS Energy based in Asheville.