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• IIJ <br /> • G <br /> • <br /> Joint Meeting of the Carrboro Board of Aldermen • 102 <br /> and Orange County Commissioners . <br /> We are writing this letter to express our concerns over the proposed <br /> industrial area for the Homestead Road areas just west of Bolin Creek. <br /> We are the owners of approximately 170 acres which is within and adjacent to <br /> the proposed industrial area. Our property has been in our families since it <br /> was granted to our ancestors by virtue of an English Land Grant. We are <br /> residents of the property, not absentee owners or speculators. While we <br /> understand that development will inevitably come to this area, we hope to make <br /> sure that any development will be compatible with our best interests, our <br /> neighbor's best interests, and the community's best interests. <br /> The first of our interests is our desire to remain living on our land in the <br /> same manner that we do now. The proposed industrial zoning will severely <br /> impact our ability to remain on the land. In our opinion, the proposed zoning <br /> is also not in the community's best interests. Our specific reasons and <br /> explanations for opposing this proposed zone are: <br /> 1. Planning for a community is a difficult and multi-faceted ,process. <br /> There are several factors that must be given consideration. It <br /> appears that topography was the only factor considered in the <br /> planning for this area. There does not appear to have been any <br /> consideration given to existing land uses, traffic systems, <br /> water/sewer availability, and economic need or feasibility. <br /> 2. Homestead Road is a two-lane secondary road built the "old way" - <br /> blind curves, abrupt changes in elevation, low shoulders, and a <br /> narrow bridge. It is totally inadequate for increased traffic or <br /> large truck traffic that industrial development brings. It is no <br /> more than a county connector road between N.C. 86 and old N.C. 86. <br /> Given the present and anticipated funds for highway development and <br /> improvement, it is unlikely that Homestead Road could be improved to <br /> a necessary standard over the next 30 years. <br /> 3. The existing land uses in the area are primarily farming, large <br /> tract residential uses, and schools, none of which are compatible <br /> with industrial use. Farmers lose incomes, but more importantly. <br /> lose their ability to do the job they have chosen and love. <br /> Residential users lose exactly what they own the land for -- <br /> privacy, peace, and enjoyment. Schools are no longer a part of a <br /> community. but only another institutional plant within a multitude <br /> of of itutional plants. <br /> 4. At a public hearing on April 2, we heard a Carrboro planning board <br /> member say that he could envision a MacGregor type industrial park <br /> on this property. For clarification, MacGregor Park is located off <br /> of U.S. 1-64 in Cary, N. C. It is a very good development. <br /> However, MacGregor type developments do not happen in locations like <br /> Homestead Road. Those type developments occur only near major four <br /> lane thoroughfares that can provide easy and quick access to other <br /> sections of the county and state. The Homestead Road location <br />