Agenda - 06-04-1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the years 1955 and 1977- (Table 3-133) . TABLE 3-133 HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP FARMLAND TRENDS 1 CHANGE 1955 1977 1955-77 CHANGE TOTAL CROPLAND 1,842 ac. 991 ac. -851 ac. -42.6% TOTAL PASTURE 1,780 ac. 1,623 ac. -157 ac. -8.8% TOTAL FARMLAND 3,622 ac. 2,614 ac. -1,008 ac. -27.8% 1SOURCE: N.C. Crop and Livestock Reporting Service; Triangle J Council of Governnents. As shown, the cropland base of the Township declined in this period by almost 1000 acres. In contrast, during the same period the pastureland base decreased at a much slower rate of about 9%, representing a loss of fewer than 160 acres. Part of this loss probably occurred as a consequence of the construction of Interstate 85 through Hillsborough Township. The three townships though which the Interstate was built lost an average of more than 26% of their total crop and pasture land as compared to an average loss of 19% for the remaining four townships. Such major highway construction can cause farmland loss through both direct acquisition and through the commercial, industrial and residential development stimulated by improved transportation access. Much of Hillsborough Township's farmland is concentrated in the portion of the Township north of the intersection of N.C. 86 and N.C. 57. As such, construction of the Interstate 40 along the proposed corridor will have very limited direct impact on the Township's agricultural land. The indirect effect, however, will be to increase development pressure on farm- land, even in the area to the north of the Town of Hillsborough. The greatly reduced travel time that proposed Interstate 40 extension will provide from Hillsborough to Research Triangle Park, RDU airport and Raleigh will probably increase the convenience of Hillsborough Township as a place of residence and as a location for new businesses. Conversion of more Township farmland to non-farm uses will probably result from this increAs- ed access. Natural Environmental Constraints Hillsborough Township contains the following natural environmental constraints to development activity: floodplains, a water supply watershed, steep slopes and some poor soil conditions. FLOODPLAINS. Floodplains occur along the Eno River, Cates Creek and Strouds Creek.