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Organization (MPO) growth projections for seven years, and his questions have never been <br /> answered. He said to the extent that this issue has developed an immediacy driven by the <br /> 2040 planning process, he questions the degree at which we are actually facing an issue <br /> today. He understands that we need to plan for tomorrow, but this feels like a hasty set of <br /> changes. He said the issue of having a sunset clause should be the end of the discussion, but <br /> not the beginning. <br /> Council Member Matt Czajkowski asked planning staff how many applications are on <br /> the table for the previously referred to "McMansions." <br /> Craig Benedict said the majority of subdivisions over the last 10 years that are larger <br /> than 10 lots have been in the rural buffer. He said the sheer number would not add up to the <br /> projections. He said a lot of these are converted farms. <br /> Council Member Matt Czajkowski asked how many development proposals are on the <br /> table today to take current farms and turn them into large lots for large houses. <br /> Craig Benedict said he can find and provide this information to the group. <br /> Council Member Matt Czajkowski said this information should be before them. He said <br /> the whole premise is based on 2040, and rather than the 5 year sunset provision, maybe this <br /> should just go slowly. He questioned what farmers are saying about this. <br /> Town Council Council Member Palmer said she supports the proposal wholeheartedly. <br /> She left the last discussion feeling like this was a really good initiative, and she has been <br /> learning more about what was presented. She does not want some of these enterprises within <br /> the city limits of Chapel Hill. She believes these belong in the rural area and will make the <br /> farming community more vibrant. She supports the local food movement and community <br /> supported agriculture and farming. <br /> Alderman Haven O'Donnell thanked Perdita Holtz for attending at least four meetings in <br /> Carrboro, because the Aldermen really dissected this. She said this document is not perfect, <br /> but it reflects a lot of time and effort. She encouraged Chapel Hill to take another look at it, as <br /> it is very complex and requires digesting on multiple levels. She said their board was not <br /> unified on the sunset clause, but they thought it was worth sharing at the next level. <br /> Alderman Haven O'Donnell said it is important to have a rural center and to have things <br /> that concretely support the efforts of local farming. She noted the earlier discussion about <br /> transit nodes for affordable housing. She said if some of these events, like wineries and <br /> breweries, are put out in the rural areas, it forces people into cars. She said there needs to be <br /> consistency with their values. <br /> Commissioner Price supported Commissioner Pelissier's earlier comments. She said <br /> the attempt is to support farmers, protect urban areas, and reduce sprawl. She said one of her <br /> concerns is that the list of six options may limit farmers from expanding their farm operation. <br /> She feels there needs to be another type of threshold that is more equitable. <br /> Commissioner Price referred to Alderman Haven O'Donnell's comment and said there <br /> have been people who have wanted to have the events out at the farm in order to bring people <br /> out. <br /> Commissioner McKee said we may be looking at timelines in the wrong fashion. He <br /> said today is not the problem because farming is a very long term proposition, and the short <br />