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20 <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />ENVIRONMENT AND RESOUROE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT <br />MEMORANDUM <br />To: Eddie Kirk, Current Planner <br />From: Rich Shaw, ERGO Land Conservation Manager <br />Date: April 27, 2007 <br />Subject: Bluffs at Moorefields Subdivision Proposal <br />Thank you for the opportunity to review a Preliminary Plan for the "Bluffs at Moorefields" <br />subdivision proposal. The proposal would create 17 lots on 35.22 acres (33.76 excluding <br />public road ROW) located at the southern end of Moorefields Road at Dimmocks Mills Road <br />(Cheeks Township). <br />ERCD staff comments on subdivisions are generally to a) address any concerns with respect <br />to potential impacts on important natural or cultural resources, and. b) identify any areas <br />that might be desirable for possible dedication to the County for public recreation/open <br />space pursuant to Section N-B-7-b of the Orange County Subdivision Ordinance. <br />My comments on this proposal are based on an examination of the Preliminary Plan (dated <br />April 17, 2006) for a "Conservation Cluster" subdivision and a review of ERCD's. <br />comprehensive resource database. <br />The plan would set aside 15.11 acres of Open Space (44.76%) along streams and public <br />roadways-considerably more than the required 33% (11.1 acres), although the vast <br />majority of the Open Space is comprised of land in the 100-year floodplain adjacent to <br />Rocky Run (an Eno River tributary) and a riparian buffer to a feeder stream. <br />There is no natural heritage site or proposed county wildlife corridor within or adjacent to <br />this property. There are no adopted plans for proposed greenway corridors associated with <br />this property. (Nor are. there any historic sites identified in the county's inventory.) <br />The preliminary plan appears consistent with the County's desire to minimize <br />adverse environmental impacts with respect to the protection of floodplainsi <br />wetlands, natural areas'and wildlife habitat. <br />ERCD recommends that the proposed Open Space remain in private ownership <br />and managed as common land (wildlife habitat and low-impact recreation) by <br />the homeowners association. <br />If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 245-2591. <br />cc: David Stancil <br />Environment and Resource Conservation <br />PO Box 8181 / 306-A Revere Road <br />Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br />(919) 245-2590