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17 <br /> T <br /> A Call for Action <br /> Schools in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Orange County have been playing "catch-up"for too <br /> long. SOS recommends the following strategies for ensuring that future residential growth is <br /> linked to responsible and timely expansion in school capacity. <br /> (1) The areas'school boards,school administrations, and elected officials must accept <br /> mutual responsibility for joint planning and establish procedures to formalize the relationship. <br /> Specifically, elected officials should be advised by the school districts about the impact a <br /> proposed development(or rezoning for higher density) will have on the utilization of the <br /> neighborhood schools before new projects are approved. <br /> (2)Higher revenues from impact fees are needed, and other funding sources must be <br /> found to more adequately fund the construction of new schools. The need for affordable housing <br /> is an important issue, which must also be addressed by elected officials,but it does not <br /> counteract the need for good schools. SOS believes that a sliding scale for impact fees would be <br /> more equitable and more effective. <br /> (3) A school impact study should be required for proposed developments to allow <br /> officials to assess the demands on our educational resources and infrastructure, so necessary <br /> plans and accommodations can be made prior to project approval. <br /> (4) Concurrency should be considered as an effective planning tool for orderly growth. <br /> Under this strategy,rezoning for higher densities and residential building permits should not be <br /> approved until schools can accommodate the additional students, or unless plans have been <br /> adopted for permanent school construction to accommodate the proposed growth. <br /> (S)Developers of sizable subdivisions could be required to donate land towards a public <br /> school to accommodate the families purchasing their homes.This could fit in with planned open <br /> space and would be an attractive selling point as well. Such a plan would be coordinated with <br /> impact fee structures.In other parts of the country this policy has been incorporated into the land <br /> use ordinances and is working effectively. <br /> Cooperation Needed <br /> We recognize that these are challenging times for our schools and community and that politically <br /> and fiscally creative and effective solutions must be found. SOS recognizes that growth is <br /> inevitable. We are committed to working cooperatively with the school administrators and <br /> elected officials in the pursuit of well planned,coordinated growth in school infrastructure and <br /> residential development. Rampant growth must not be allowed to destroy the high quality and <br /> fine reputation of our schools. <br /> SOS welcomes your input and assistance. For more information about SOS and upcoming <br /> meetings,please call Debbie Wahlen(968-3920)or Gloria Faley (942-2939). <br /> 3/0 _ <br />