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the same as the concept plan that was approved last year. He reviewed the recommendation <br /> and introduced the applicant, Michael Neal. <br /> Michael Neal said he is representing the owners of this project. He gave background <br /> on the subdivision and how it came to be. He reviewed the topographical maps and said the <br /> stream buffers and flood plains came out to be a total of 25 acres. He said the steep slopes <br /> were also preserved. He said a recreation area was located next to the roundabout, as well as <br /> a spring fed water source, as requested by the fire department. He said the flood plains, steep <br /> slopes, recreation, and fire protection areas combined will leave 37 percent of the site <br /> preserved. <br /> He said the remaining useable land was then divided into lots. He said the result was a <br /> conservation themed sub-division where the environmental areas were preserved. He said the <br /> total project area is 104.5 acres, and the proposed open space is 38.5 acres, which exceeds <br /> the required amount of open space by 4.2 acres. He said each lot has a viable septic area. <br /> He said the two roads in the neighborhood will be built according to DOT specifications, and a <br /> pond will be supplied to provide fire protection to the homes. He said there is a plan to petition <br /> the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School (CHCCS) system to take the 3 Orange County School <br /> (OCS) district properties, to avoid having two bus routes in the neighborhood. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked what kind of water feature would be used for fire <br /> protection. She referred to page 101 and the emergency services condition. <br /> Michael Neal said at this point the amount of water is not known yet, as the size of the <br /> homes to be built has not been determined yet. He said the amount listed on page 101 in their <br /> packet is the minimum amount of water that would be needed. He said the proposal is to base <br /> the pond size on the largest structure that will be built in the subdivision. He said this will <br /> equate to a certain volume of water necessary to fight a fire for 2 hours. He said the size of <br /> the structure, as well as the materials used in building will determine the amount of water. He <br /> said once there are builders lined up and the details of the structures are determined, the pond <br /> will be built to accommodate. . <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked how the maximum building size can be determined before <br /> the houses are built. She does not see how you can restrict the size of the houses. <br /> Michael Neal said the septic fields will determine the maximum size house that can be <br /> built. He said once the builder or builders are selected there will be more information available. <br /> He said there is also an option to build the largest size pond necessary to be in compliance. <br /> Commissioner Gordon referred to page 15, Article 3, regarding membership and voting <br /> rights. She asked for clarification on the 2 classes of voting membership. <br /> Pat Mellot said these are the articles of inembership for the proposed HOA. He said <br /> this is a standard provision. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked why it was in the packet. <br /> Michael Harvey said the ordinance requires the auxiliary document be presented and <br /> provided. <br /> John Roberts said the HOA document is there only for the Board to review, and it does <br /> not require any action. <br /> Commissioner McKee referred to the water requirement. He said there is an automatic <br /> three department response to all structure fires. He said these responding departments, with <br /> the exception of Chapel Hill, run tankers. He said there is water transport available in addition <br /> to the pond on site. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked if any of the homes would be part of an affordable housing <br /> plan. <br /> Michael Harvey said this property is in the water supply watershed and is not allowed to <br /> participate in the density credit system. <br />