Orange County NC Website
said each of the Board members has a different point of view, and she would respect Susanne <br /> Haff's point of view equally. <br /> Susanne Haff said if she is representing the Board of Commissioners, she would not <br /> want to say the wrong thing, though she does not think the Board would know she said it. She <br /> thinks her voice has been heard and honored, but her advice has not necessarily been <br /> followed. She appreciates the honor of having been heard and of being able to work on <br /> difficult problems. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked whether there is an orientation for boards and <br /> commissions in other jurisdictions. <br /> Staff answered no. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said there are parts of the comprehensive plan that relate to <br /> land use and transportation. She said this would be helpful to know. She said the Board of <br /> County Commissioners has a list of goals and objectives, some of which relate to land use. <br /> She thinks an orientation on general issues would be good, and there is some homework that <br /> could be done. <br /> Susanne Haff said she does a huge amount of homework on Chapel Hill. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked if she was given an orientation by the Chapel Hill <br /> planning board. <br /> Susanne Haff said yes. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said perhaps it would help if the Board of Commissioners was <br /> more explicit regarding their expectations. She said she is interested in any item where <br /> Chapel Hill's land use will affect the schools. She is also interested in items of regional <br /> significance or anything that would spread beyond the borders of Chapel Hill. <br /> Susanne Haff said there is currently a big debate on rapid transit and the train from <br /> Duke to UNC. She said there would then be dense development along that train route. She <br /> knows that part of Orange County doesn't want buses. She has learned much about these <br /> issues from a friend who used to be in politics. She referenced issues of water availability and <br /> a working relationship between OWASA and the town of Hillsborough <br /> Commissioner Gordon said there is a rural buffer in between. <br /> Susanne Haff said she has heard the comments and discussions about this. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said she thinks it would be good to have some sort of <br /> orientation with planning staff regarding planning and transportation issues. She thinks it <br /> might also be a good idea for new people to meet with one or two Commissioners. She thinks <br /> it is good to have contextual information on fundamental issues like water and sewer. <br /> Susanne Haff said she does think that there are ideas that go back and forth, and she <br /> is not sure what and when to send to the Board. <br /> Chair Jacobs said she should not be shy to share information. He said too much <br /> information is better than not enough. He said there has never been a connection, so a <br /> communication plan will need to be invented, and a relationship can be evolved. <br /> Commissioner McKee thanked Susanne Haff for taking the time to serve. He said each <br /> of the Commissioners might give different answers on specific issues. He said what is <br /> important is that the appointees are able to think of what is best for Orange County. He said <br /> the Commissioners may not always agree on how to get there, but they all generally agree on <br /> the direction. <br /> Susanne Haff said she knows several of the Commissioners represent northern Orange <br /> County, and she has tried to work on the concept that people in the County have a variety of <br /> income and abilities. She has advocated that there needs to be more responsibility for each <br /> other. She has also worked on advocating for cable and other services in northern Orange <br /> County. <br />