Agenda - 02-22-1988 - Laserfiche WebLink

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20 being given easy access to the streams and litter would be a major problem. Ben Lloyd noted that he owned property along the Eno River, McGowan's Creek and Seven Mile Creek and indicated that the greenway system would not be built to the west of Hillsborough since he did not intend to donate or sell land to be used for greenways . Mr. Lloyd referenced a conversation he had with Ms . Black in which she indicated she expected land and equipment donation; he indicated he did not expect such donations to occur. He noted that he supported the concept of zoning and land use planning if it is utilized as it was originally designed, as a protective measure but he felt the zoning Ordinance had been turned into a monster of complete control . He agreed with the concern of loss of private property rights . He also spoke to the cost implications . He noted that over the past six years the citizens of Orange County have experienced an increase in excess of 20% per year in property taxes and in 1987 there was an increase of over 40% and an article he referenced in the Durham Morning Herald indicated a higher increase is expected. He noted the concern of elderly couples who fear they will be unable to pay property taxes in the future in order to maintain their homes. Mr. Lloyd also commented on the retroactive status of salary increases for County employees. He closed with the comment that "unless the direction changes in Orange County, the older folks, the young folks and the less fortunate are going to have to move out of Orange County due to their inability to pay their taxes. " He expressed concern that the citizens ' comments be heard and heeded. Jerry Harris, Eno Township resident, presented a graph he had made regarding his property taxes and increases since moving into Eno in 1973 and agreed with Mr. Lloyd regarding tax increases. He indicated that from 1973 to 1983 taxes had doubled every 6 1/2 to 7 years and during the last four years it has doubled every 3 1/2 to 4 years . He expressed concern that such an increase to support the Recreation and Parks Plan would create much public resistance to more important expenditures. Mr. Harris continued that the expenditures were listed in the Plan per capita and this could be a considerable amount per family. He also expressed concern that the creation of greenways for a large number of people would destroy the area rather than preserve the area. He suggested that if the bond issue states that no part of the money shall be used for eminent domain or condemnation then it could never be used for that purpose -by anyone. Wayne Meadow, a resident of West Hillsborough expressed the thought that there may be a need for parks but there is no