Agenda - 04-06-1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 6, 1989 Orange County Commissioners Chapel Hill Town Council Carboro Town Council Planning Board Members Dear Commissioners, Councilmen, and Planners: The Stoneycreek Neighborhood Association (SNA) called a meeting 3 weeks ago to discuss the proposed Land Use Plan changes and has asked me to present the following unanimous concerns. We are surprised you are even having this public hearing to consider changes to the Land Use Plan. You and the community worked together almost 3 years to craft a Land Use Plan that guarantees the organized and logical development of Southern Orange County. We expected this plan to be a zoning guideline for at least 5 to 10 years. Now, in less time than it took to craft the original plan, changes are being considered. If the plan is going to be changed so quickly for small pocket interests, then it ceases to be a Land Use Plan and simply becomes an extension of the zoning process. We want to address the proposed land use changes for the Rural Buffer at the I-40 and New Hope Church Road interchange. The Rural Buffer is a bold and brilliant component of the Joint Land Use Plan. We know you worked hard to establish the Buffer. You have even hired consultants this year to find ways to strengthen and enhance the Rural Buffer. Any changes proposed for the Rural Buffer should be designed to strengthen and enhance it. However, the changes that have been proposed tonight do not strengthen the Rural Buffer. They punch a hole in the middle of it at its most vulnerable point. If approved, we are afraid these changes will be the initial leak that will destroy the dyke. If you must consider threatening the fabric of the Rural Buffer, it should be for the sake of an urgent requirement that benefits a significant portion of the county and that can be located nowhere else. However, the changes that you have presented tonight fall way short of being urgent, benefiting a significant portion of the county, or being unlocatable elsewhere. We, the members of the Stoneycreek Neighborhood Association urge you to consider two points: (1) Only change the Land Use Plan on a 5 to 10 year cycle. With any more frequent cycle, you cease to have a true plan.