Agenda - 12-07-2015 - 7-a - Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat Application

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34 Meeting Highlights: Orange County Planning staff presented the 20 attendees with an overview of: the application; the site; surrounding area; site environmental constraints, the zoning and subdivision requirements and the tentative schedule for the plan's review and approval or denial by the Orange County Board of Commissioners. Mr. Hefner, presented his site analysis, the Concept Plan, the basis for the design, plan revisions based on meetings with Orange County staff, NCDOT recommendations, site observations, environmental assessments and environmental and developments constraints associated with the property. He then opened up the meeting to comments, ideas and questions from the residents. Dr. Humphries was not present at the meeting. The questions and concerns from residents centered on the following categories: 1. Vehicular Access and Traffic. • Residents expressed concerns about the potential for traffic congestion on Erwin and Whitfield (especially during the AM and PM peak hours). Residents with access via Shakori Trails were also concerned with maintaining their current legal access. Residents who live off Turkey Farm Road also raised concerns that they would be negatively affected by traffic • Orange County Planning Staff outlined the access, public and private street standards, the merits of locating the proposed access onto Whitfield Road vs. Erwin Road, the connections to Shakori Trails, and the internal circulation of the proposed plan. • Mr. Hefner outlined his meetings with NCDOT, the site constraints, legal obligations to provide access to Erwin Road for the two Shakori Trails homes, Emergency Service Access. He also noted the AM and PM traffic patterns that had been observed on Whitfield and Erwin Roads, and that the estimated amount of additional cars (approximately 38 new cars) from the proposed new residencies would not cause a harmful impact to the road network. 2. Lot Size, Density and Open Space . • Residents expressed concerns about the 1 acre minimum lot size, the number of units, preserving the character of the area, the Rural Buffer, New Hope Creek and Duke Forest. • Orange Planning Staff reviewed the UDO requirements, the perimeter setback and buffers, the value of the Flexible Design Option with dedicated common Open Space, the effective density (2.5 dwelling units per acre), and best planning practices for environmentally sensitive design. Staff also noted that the site's zoning and watershed would allow for up to 24 dwelling units. • Mr. Hefner reviewed the market analysis, site constraints, the initial concept plans which yielded 22-24 lots, the suitable soils, and steep slopes. He noted the desire to preserve common areas in dedicated open space vs. 19 lots. In response to a resident inquiry, he also noted that that any person with a lot can choose his/her own residential builder. 3. Setbacks, Buffers and Tree Preservation. ■ Residents asked questions about setbacks, buffers and areas along the perimeter of the project.