Agenda - 09-19-2007-6d - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM To: Eddie Kirk, Orange County Planner From: Rich Shaw, Land Conservation Manager Date: June 30, 2006 Re: Pleasant Green Woods (Phase 3) Subdivision Proposal Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed Pleasant Green Woods (Phase 3) Subdivision. The proposal would create 20 lots on 73.47 acres located east of Pleasant Green Road and adjacent to Eno River State Park in Eno Township. ERCD comments on subdivisions are generally intended to a) address any concerns with respect to potential impacts on important natural or cultural resources, and b) identify any areas that might be desirable for possible dedication to the County for public recreation/ open space pursuant to Section N -13-7 -b of the Orange County Subdivision Ordinance. The Concept Plan (May 16, 2006) shows over 32 acres of open space, or 48% of the 73- acre site (far more than the required 33 %), to be dedicated to a homeowners' association. This forested open space would provide a small wildlife refuge and provide residents of the subdivision with woodlands for walking and nature study. The open space includes sections of Piper's Creek and two feeder streams, which flow through the property and into Eno River State Park located immediately east of the site. The open space also includes three power line transmission easements— cleared linear corridors that traverse the otherwise wooded open space. The power lines continue eastward into the State Park. The attached aerial photo of the site shows that residents of existing homes on Willet Road (immediately south of subject property) use trails along those power line easements to access the State Park property. Overall, the proposed site plan appears consistent with the County's desire to minimize adverse environmental impacts with respect to the protection of floodplains, wetlands, natural areas and wildlife habitat. The protection of open space adjacent to the State Park (as is proposed by the Concept Plan) would help to buffer the park from the proposed future home sites. [That open space also happens to be Eno River State Park master plan.] It may be prudent for the owner /developer of the subdivision to convey an eastern portion of the proposed open space to the State Park, enabling that section of the property with its existing trails and power line corridors to be managed in a manner consistent with the adjacent parkland. For instance, the State Park may have an agreement with the utilities that restricts the use of herbicides within the power line easements to protect the streams that flow through the easements. Environment and Resource Conservation PO Box 8189 / 306 -A Revere Road Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919) 245 -2590 2 3'