Agenda - 12-15-2015 - 6a - Minutes

Browse Search

6 1 we raised twin daughters who grew up roaming this beautiful property learning about nature 2 and all the intricate ecosystems found within its varied topography. In 1979, we began 3 purchasing several tracts of land adjacent to our Thunder Mountain property. Over the years 4 we have owned approximately 142 acres within the Cane Creek Watershed on the north side of 5 the reservoir. 6 In year 2000 we sold approximately 13.5 acres to Orange Water and Sewer Authority 7 (OWASA), and specified that the land could not be used for residential purposes with the goal 8 of keeping that tract as undeveloped buffer land to protect Cane Creek Reservoir. It was on 9 that land that we sighted a bobcat in the early morning mist and listened to the calls of great 10 horned owls in the evening. That beautiful tract, with a stream and large hardwoods, shares a 11 common corner with our land on Thunder Mountain. We support routing the MST through this 12 property, which we used to own and sold to OWASA. 13 I believe the OWASA property on the north side of the reservoir is an ideal route for the 14 MST because it is one of the most beautiful undeveloped tracts left in this area of Orange 15 County. It is rich in flora and fauna, the topography and ecosystems are varied, and the 16 surrounding private parcels are sparsely populated. Further subdivision is limited by watershed 17 restrictions, deed restrictions, and conservation easements. We currently own multiple tracts 18 within the Thunder Mountain subdivision, and to the west of Thunder Mountain. As long time 19 residents, we have grown to love all of these properties but realize that we are only stewards-- 20 someone else will own them in the future. As we have in the past, we will continue to try to 21 make sure that the natural beauty and wildlife of these properties are conserved and protected 22 for future generations. 23 In March 2012, we hosted a community meeting at our home so that our neighbors 24 could learn about the MST and a proposal to route it through OWASA property to our south. 25 That meeting was well attended and we received positive feedback from many of our neighbors 26 following presentations by Kate Dixon, Executive Director of the Friends of the Mountains to the 27 Sea Trail, Rich Shaw from Orange County Parks and Recreation and others. In addition, a 28 number of legitimate concerns were raised by some at the meeting, which we evaluated and 29 discussed with many of our neighbors. 30 On September 18, 2012, our neighbor, Martha Keating spoke before the BOCC in 31 support of the MST and provided the Board with a consensus endorsement by ALL of the five 32 owners of Thunder Mountain property whose lots adjoin OWASA property. I am providing a 33 copy of that statement of support, which contained five caveats which I would like to re-read: 34 "Our five households do not oppose the MST and embrace the potential of having public 35 access to beautiful land that we have been fortunate enough to live near for many years. 36 Our support for this proposed section of the MST is contingent upon: 37 • The location of the trail being placed on the agreed upon alternate routes (farthest 38 from the houses) by the residents closest to the MST. 39 • MST being used as a footpath hike-through section (no bicycles, motorized 40 vehicles, horses, etc.); 41 • MST being open from dawn until dusk, with no overnight camping or fires 42 permitted, 43 • The county being able to provide a suitable location for parking at posted access 44 points to divert anyone from parking or accessing the MST from Thunder 45 Mountain; 46 • OWASA's commitment to preserve the scenic beauty of this land such that it is 47 not subjected to timbering;