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7 <br /> 1 BACKGROUND: A recent (summer 2015) state law change now requires additional specificity <br /> 2 when expending funds for Economic Development. In consultation with the County Attorney's <br /> 3 office, this change requires a more elaborate explanation of the use/purpose and justification of <br /> 4 public benefit related to Economic Development monies. This information would be noticed to <br /> 5 the public via a newspaper advertisement for input. The information required complements prior <br /> 6 adopted Capital Investment Plan (CIP) and budget approvals from a past and current year <br /> 7 budget. The attached advertisement meets those requirements. The project is the Efland <br /> 8 Mebane Phase II Extension, which was approved by the Board in June 2015. The <br /> 9 advertisement explains the project and a map is attached to show the area. The monies have <br /> 10 been budgeted in prior and current year CIP budgets in the amount of approximately $4.97 <br /> 11 million funded from Article 46 funds. <br /> 12 Steve Brantley said one of the land tracks is a 79-acre site, which is referred to as the <br /> 13 Simpson Efland Heirs site. He said this property was the first choice site for Morinaga, but was <br /> 14 ultimately rejected, as it did not have water and sewer. He said there is currently a new <br /> 15 prospect showing strong interest in this property. He said adding utilities to this land would <br /> 16 greatly help economic development efforts. <br /> 17 Craig Benedict, Orange County Planning Director, reviewed several maps pertaining to <br /> 18 the project's sewer line easements, a routing location, and how it impacts the several adjacent, <br /> 19 passer-by residential lots. He said property lines were followed whenever possible. He said <br /> 20 there are 13 easements, primarily in the Efland area. He noted that an area has been <br /> 21 purchased for a sewer lift station. He said this project provides backbone for the infrastructure <br /> 22 for this Economic Development zone. <br /> 23 Commissioner Jacobs referred to the forced main on Route Ten and asked if it can be <br /> 24 tapped into. <br /> 25 Craig Benedict said the forced main would not be tapped into. He said any properties <br /> 26 west of Gravely Hill Middle School can tie into an existing sewer line, and those to the east <br /> 27 would have to have a private lift station. <br /> 28 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is a grand opening date yet for Morinaga. <br /> 29 Steve Brantley said a date in April or May is preferable for Morinaga but are flexible to <br /> 30 accommodate the BOCC. <br /> 31 Commissioner Jacobs asked if Chair McKee would write a letter to Morinaga, <br /> 32 acknowledging its accomplishment of being confectionary vendor of the year 2015. <br /> 33 Chair McKee said he would do so. <br /> 34 Commissioner Price asked if properties to the south would be affected. <br /> 35 Craig Benedict said these properties are not within the water and sewer boundary <br /> 36 agreement. <br /> 37 Commissioner Rich asked if the number of water and sewer agreements held by <br /> 38 Orange County is known. <br /> 39 Craig Benedict said there is one with the City of Mebane, which was updated in 2009; <br /> 40 one with the City of Durham, for the Eno Economic Development zone; and an agreement with <br /> 41 the City of Hillsborough is in process. <br /> 42 <br /> 43 PUBLIC COMMENT <br /> 44 None. <br /> 45 <br /> 46 A motion was made by Commissioner Burroughs, seconded by Commissioner Price for <br /> 47 the Board to close the Public Hearing. <br /> 48 <br /> 49 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 50 <br />