Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
it. We do not feel, however, that this ordinance can in fairness be <br /> applied to us. Our reasons are as follows: <br /> 1. We can document that the division of our land was accomplished, <br /> in fact, before the ordinance was effective, and in concept <br /> as early as 1972. <br /> 2. At the time they were drawn, our lots met county standards <br /> and regulations, so as to exempt them from subdivision <br /> regulation. <br /> 3. Our lots exceed, by more than five times, the minimum size <br /> restriction required by even the present regulations. These <br /> lots may never be further divided, because of restrictive <br /> covenants. <br /> 4. Our restrictive covenants, binding on all our property owners, <br /> go well beyond the requirements of Section IV of the regu- <br /> lations, where they apply. The intent and spirit of the <br /> subdivision regulations are met and exceeded. <br /> 5. Our road is a dedicated private road, in use since 1972. <br /> We have contractual agreements for its upkeep. Modifica- <br /> tion of this road would present a financial hardship to <br /> the present users, who are satisfied with its present layout. <br /> 6. We are not a subdivision in the way this ordinance addresses. <br /> Rather, we are an intentional community of landowners whose <br /> incorporation is not for profit. We have committed ourselves <br /> to proper management of the land. <br /> Beyond these points, it seems to us that the subdivision ordi- <br /> nance has been designed to protect people like us from inadequate <br /> planning or poor development practices. We suffer from neither <br /> malady. Our community is, for the most part, built. Many of us <br /> have lived there happily for years. There is only one undeveloped <br /> lot,, and it has been sold. We are pleased with our roads and the <br /> community spirit our cooperative ownership has engendered. We do <br /> not need the protection of a subdivision ordinance. <br /> What we do need, however, is a legally filed and recorded plat. <br /> Such a document is essential to the conduct of our community's <br /> business affairs. And *that is why we need your help. It seems to <br /> us that, should you grant us our request, you will not fail to serve <br /> the interests of the county. You will simply help correct an over- <br /> sight, and allow us to finish the job we began ten years ago. <br /> Sincerely yours, <br /> The members of Friends Community <br />