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255 <br />Department of Environment, <br />Agriculture, Parks & Recreation <br />To: Michael Harvey, Current Planning Supervisor <br />From: Rich Shaw, DEAPR Land Conservation Manager <br />Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR Cultural Resources Coordinator <br />Date: May 13, 2015 <br />Re: Hart's Mill Development <br />Thank you for the opportunity to review the master plan for the planned Hart's Mill <br />development located east of Frazier Road in Cheeks Township. My comments are based on an <br />examination of the preliminary master plan that you provided, along with the environmental <br />assessment conducted by the applicant with information from the forest stewardship plan and a <br />summary of environmental data from Tetra Tech. <br />Hart's Mill is a proposed "village- style" development with approximately 30 dwelling units, while <br />preserving approximately 67 acres of the property ( +/- 60 %) as protected open space or <br />agricultural use (e.g., pasture and cropland). As proposed the residences will be clustered <br />around a pedestrian trail in the middle of the property surrounded by open space /farm areas. <br />The proposed plan appears consistent with the County's desire to minimize adverse <br />environmental impacts with respect to the protection of floodplains, wetlands, natural areas and <br />wildlife habitat. DEAPR's database showed there are no significant natural resource areas <br />(e.g., natural heritage sites, proposed wildlife corridors, prime forest) located on the property. <br />The Biological Inventory that you provided corroborated our earlier findings. <br />Earlier DEAPR staff completed the following assessment of the natural and cultural resources <br />known to exist on or adjacent to the planned Hart's Mill property (PIN 9835748573). <br />Natural Resources There is no significant natural heritage area (SNHA) known to exist on or <br />adjacent to the subject property, however the perennial stream that flows through the length of <br />the tract and McGowan Creek (which forms the eastern boundary) are significant water <br />resources and wildlife corridors that should be protected from any future development activities. <br />Both the stream and McGowan Creek appear to have intact forested buffers that are important <br />to maintain (and possibly enhance) to protect water quality and stream habitats. Both streams <br />are sources of public drinking water for the Orange- Alamance Water System, which operates <br />from Corporation Lake located downstream of the subject property. McGowan Creek is a <br />significant wildlife corridor that links other protected open space properties. There appears to <br />