Orange County NC Website
9 <br /> James Bumphus asked that the minimum lot size be one acre. <br /> Delois Turner indicated the desire for a one acre lot size. <br /> Regina Nobblitt stated that her desire was to give her son one of <br /> the two acres belonging to her and thus was in favor of the one acre <br /> minimum lot size. <br /> Brian Yeargan indicated the property owned by his family had been in <br /> their ownership seventy years. He stated that young people were needed in <br /> the communities in Orange County. He felt that the regulations of the <br /> Health Department regarding septic tanks was sufficient for regulating lot <br /> sizes. He expressed a concern that perhaps the Rural Buffer is simply a <br /> means for future annexation by the Town of Chapel Hill. He asked that <br /> decisions be made which would help all the citizens own homes in Orange <br /> County. <br /> Lois Herring indicated she was in favor of the two acre minimum lot <br /> size especially in the University Lake Watershed. She noted that increased <br /> density in a watershed decreases water quality. She indicated that she <br /> felt the right to use land carries many responsibilities such as protection <br /> of the water supply and to pass the land on undamaged to those who follow. <br /> Brian Lessley , a Durham attorney, indicated he represented a <br /> property owner who owned land in the Rural Buffer which abuts Duke Forest. <br /> He expressed concern that his client received his mail too late to submit a <br /> presentation. He asked if the creation of the PID district would be the <br /> extent of the protection of the forest or if there is a possibility of a <br /> buffer zone being created around the forest. He also asked if such a <br /> proposal is made, will there be an opportunity for public comment. Chair <br /> Marshall responded that for any recommendations adopted there would be <br /> adequate study and adequate opportunity for public response. She continued <br /> that the actual change being considered at this hearing is to return the <br /> minimum lot size in the Rural Buffer to one acre. <br /> Furman Herring expressed the concern with stewardship of the land <br /> and noted he is in support of the two acre minimum lot size in the Rural <br /> Buffer. <br /> Charles W. Johnston stated he had been living in the same location <br /> for 65 years. He indicated he felt that a one acre lot requirement had <br /> been a successful and noted that he felt a county-wide sewer system was a <br /> need that should be met. He expressed the concern that a landfill had been <br /> allowed but the extension of water and sewer was not allowed. <br /> Edward S. Johnson stated he was a resident of Bingham Township and ' <br /> Chair of the Bingham TAC. He noted that residents of Bingham Township were <br /> greatly concerned with leap-frog development into Bingham if development is <br /> restricted in the Rural Buffer to a two-acre lot size requirement. He was <br /> concerned that leap-frog development was not seen as the problem he felt it <br /> to be. He reminded the Commissioners that they represented all of the <br /> citizens in the County and not just Chapel Hill and/or the Rural Buffer <br /> zone. He asked that the Planning Staff be directed to study the issue of <br /> leap-frog development and inform the citizens of Bingham Township if there <br /> is cause for concern. He also suggested that a way be found to access <br /> opinions from the rural townships to determine their concerns and whether <br />