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Robin Jacobs is the Executive Director of the Eno River Association and an Orange <br /> County resident. She came to represent the Eno River Association and herself. She applauded <br /> the Planning staff for modifying the recommendations that were initially made to rezone <br /> property. There are some proposed changes that she thinks are unnecessary. The area that is <br /> proposed to be zoned EDE-2, the more intense zone, is right next to Stoney Creek. She made <br /> reference to Attachment 7-c and said that it shows the boundary of the Stoney Creek Small <br /> Area Plan. This property is in the small area plan for Stoney Creek and that is why it was not <br /> included in the EDD when it was zoned several years ago. It was left out on purpose. She said <br /> that the Stoney Creek Small Area Plan was strictly talking about residential development and <br /> there was nothing about commercial development in there at all. One of the guidelines is <br /> protection of natural terrain and features and sensitive ecological areas including Duke Forest, <br /> wildlife corridors along Stoney Creek, and other identified natural areas. Another one of the <br /> guidelines is protection of the character of existing neighborhoods from incompatible uses, <br /> densities, and direction of growth not rural in character. She pointed out one of the bullets <br /> under that, which says, "no new commercial development in the planning area." This is the <br /> Stoney Creek Overlay area, which is now proposed to go from Rural Residential to EDE-2. She <br /> said that, in reality, there is an agreement that can legally provide for water and sewer, but this <br /> will be really expensive. It means that some developer will have to acquire enough property and <br /> have big enough lands to run the lines all the way into this district, or the County will have to find <br /> the money somewhere. She asked about the EDE-2 at the mobile home park and if that would <br /> make the current use non-conforming. <br /> Blythe Ardyson has lived on Mt. Herman Church Road on 13 years. She spoke about <br /> the yellow area, C. She is also concerned about the dark purple areas, A, where commercial is <br /> being brought into residential areas. She said that they moved into this area specifically <br /> because of the rural residential character. She knew that there were commercial centers <br /> nearby when she moved here, but this would change the nature of the neighborhood <br /> tremendously and would hurt the quality of life. She said that her family bikes every weekday <br /> around here and this commercial development would pose a danger. She said that there are <br /> underutilized or not yet developed areas with easy interstate access that are very close by, such <br /> as Waterstone. <br /> Janet Arvik lives in Weldon Ridge. She said that this development has become special <br /> in more ways than just being small. She said that it is a mixed age community that gets along <br /> well with all of the neighbors. She asked the Board to please not commercialize the area. <br /> Heidi Hackney lives in Weldon Ridge. She read a letter from the Crabtree builders. This <br /> letter was sent to the County Commissioners prior to this meeting. <br /> "On behalf of Crabtree Home Building, we would like to express our concerns regarding <br /> the proposed zoning change along Old NC 10 and Orange County. Several years ago, we <br /> chose to develop a small community that would complement the current character of Old NC 10 <br /> and would be important to the long-term land use plan and current zoning. The neighborhood is <br /> called Weldon Ridge and consists of nine homes, each built on one-acre lots. Those would <br /> purchased property in our neighborhood did so because they wished to live in a rural Orange <br /> County neighborhood. The proposed zoning changes, which would allow numerous enterprises <br /> to be established on this rural residential road are simply not consistent with the character of <br /> Old NC 10 and will significantly compromise the charm and appeal of this part of the County. <br /> As a homebuilder, we chose this area in part because of the current zoning and long-term land <br /> use plan. If non-residential entities are allowed to be mixed among homes along this road, this <br /> will seriously compromise home values and severely diminish the desire for future homebuyers <br /> to purchase properties in this part of the County. <br />