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13 <br /> expressed a desire to construct a country <br /> store/general store at the intersection. The <br /> area is currently designated Agricultural- <br /> Residential (Protected Watershed) in the Land <br /> Use Element. By definition, Rural <br /> Neighborhood Activity Nodes are 1/4 mile in <br /> radius at intersections of arterial or <br /> collector roads. However, the Board of <br /> Commissioners have the latitude to designate <br /> a node that is smaller in size, if desired. <br /> This type of "compact node" was applied in <br /> 1986 at Blackwood Station in Chapel Hill <br /> Township. <br /> Creation of a Rural Neighborhood Activity <br /> Node as defined in the Plan could allow up to <br /> five acres each of Local Commercial-1 and <br /> Neighborhood Commercial-2 zoning, unless <br /> otherwise specified by the Board of <br /> Commissioners. The property is currently <br /> zoned AR, and is within the Protected <br /> Watershed-II overlay district for Cane Creek <br /> Watershed (outside of the critical area) . <br /> Six persons spoke on the amendment at the <br /> August 23 public hearing, all in favor of the <br /> proposed amendment. Four letters were <br /> received prior to the hearing in opposition <br /> to the request. In addition, a cover letter <br /> and resolution from OWASA was received <br /> recommending denial of the amendment for <br /> watershed protection reasons. The letter <br /> expressed interest in other ways of <br /> accommodating small-scale commercial activity <br /> in the area. <br /> Two resolutions were received from the <br /> Bingham TAC. The first recommends approval <br /> of the amendment, noting the need for basic <br /> services in the community and the potential <br /> for enhancing community character with the <br /> proposed country store. The second <br /> resolution addressed OWASA's concerns, and <br /> calls for the consideration of a scaled-down, <br /> compact node similar to that created at <br /> Blackwood Station in 1986. <br /> Discussion of the concept of a "compact node" <br /> occurred at the public hearing, and the <br /> concept was favorably received by the <br /> applicants. <br /> A follow-up letter has been received from one <br /> adjacent property owner who submitted a <br />