Agenda - 04-10-2006 - 9c - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 10, 2006 Action Agenda Item No. C?-C, SUBJECT: Proposed Interlocal Agreement for Hollow Rock Area of New Hope Preserve DEPARTMENT: ERCD PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Draft Interlocal Agreement from Durham David Stancil, 245 -2598 Map of Area to be addressed Possible Timetable - New Hope Preserve PURPOSE: To consider an interlocal agreement between Orange County, Durham County, the Town of Chapel Hill and the City of Durham regarding the joint acquisition of the former Erwin Trace property and the master planning for the Hollow Rock Area of the New Hope Preserve. BACKGROUND: In April 2005, Orange County, Durham County, the Town of Chapel Hill and the City of Durham worked in conjunction with Triangle Land Conservancy and area landowners to acquire a 44 -acre property from Duke University that had been proposed for a development known as Erwin Trace. Approximately 11 acres of this tract is in Orange County and the Joint Planning Area Rural Buffer, with the remainder in Durham County. The property is being acquired by the four local governments, with funding assistance from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, TLC and other landowners. An option has been executed for this purchase, which will be made over time, and closing on the 44 -acre property would not occur until June 2008. However, interest was expressed in proceeding with planning for the property and adjoining lands that would link the parcel to New Hope Creek. In the summer and fall of last year, Durham attorneys and staff created a draft interlocal agreement that would formalize the shares of the joint purchase, as well as identify a master plan committee and master plan process for planning for this property as well as adjoining lands acquired by Orange County and Triangle Land Conservancy. This draft underwent a number of changes in the fall and winter of 2005, and a new version has been prepared (attached). Prior to and continuing throughout the last year, the County's Lands Legacy Program has continued to pursue previously - planned acquisitions with Triangle Land Conservancy (which predate the Erwin Trace acquisition efforts) to acquire priority lands along the New Hope corridor. One additional acquisition that borders this property (the 7 -acre Hollow Rock Trailhead) has been acquired by the County, and others are underway by TLC and Lands Legacy.