Agenda - 11-23-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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14 Carl Walters, Cedar Grove Township resident, expressed concerns that conservation methods will be destroyed by greenways. The invasion of public access will destroy the wildlife as well as agricultural preservation. Stewart Barbour, representing the Eno River Group, spoke from a prepared statement (attachment to these minutes) Rev. George Allison, pastor of Mt. Bright Baptist Church, asked what barometer was used to determine the location, the size of the parks and the number of parks throughout the County. He also asked what impact the Recreation and Parks Plan will have on agriculture use, residential use and commercial use of the land. The third question he asked was what impact the Plan would have on residential development in the future. Mary Johnson, Cedar Grove resident, expressed concern with the source for the money ($15. 00 per capita) to establish and operate the park in Cedar Grove. She noted the pride in ownership of land and the desire to keep it private. She indicated that she felt freedom was being taken from property owners to allow public use of their land. She stated that there was no need for a park in the Cedar Grove area. Dennis Hills, (Cheeks Township resident, Chairman of the Parents Advisory Council of Efland-Cheeks School, Executive Director for the Orange County Soccer Association and coach for the Hillsborough Rainbow Soccer Program) , expressed the concern that the #1 resource of the County, the children, had been focused on by only one person. His concern was the lack of permanent, multi-use athletic fields and parks for those children to play and participate in team sports. He asked that the Boards consider very seriously the need for basic and fundamental recreational facilities in Orange County. Ben Lloyd, Cheeks Township resident, concurred with the concerns expressed by other citizens regarding greenways and their locations. He noted that he was pleased that there was no intent of condemning property for the parks, particularly since he owns property on both sides of McGowan Creek and both sides of Seven Mile Creek. He indicated it was a well designed plan but there were problems. He expressed concern that, this year, the taxpayers of Orange County would be paying the largest tax increase in the history of the County. He expressed concern that the fund balance was at an all time low. He stated, that with the need for funds from Chapel Hill School System and Orange County Schools, he felt it was unrealistic to anticipate the kind of burden the Recreation and Parks Plan would place on the taxpayers. Ms. Marshall stated that the fund balance did not hit the 3 .1% low that was anticipated but is now 5. 25% and perhaps should be back to 8% by the end of the year.