Agenda - 05-28-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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New Rope Corridor Open Space Master Plan Nineteen vegetation sites have been identified in this section, comprising the following groupings: New Hope Creek -Dry Creek-Mud Creek Lowlands; Boulevard Ridge Uplands; and Garrett Farm Peninsula Uplands (see Appendix E). Unlike the Corps lands to the south, this area bears the marks of recent agricultural practices --open meadows, old farm roads, plowed fields, and managed woodlots. Preservation would include continuing these land uses as interpretive activity. The Boulevard Ridge Uplands includes sites on . steep north - facing slopes. The Garrett Farms Peninsula Uplands sites, which were originally identified in the Harrison report, have been significantly compromised by the building of the Garrett Farms subdivision. Component 4 includes several units determined by environmental considerations and potential land development. The portion of the 100 -year floodplain from Erwin Road southward to Garrett Farms retains a greater degree of environmental integrity than do the portions closer to the Boulevard and on the lower reach of Mud Creek. This is due to the fact that adjacent land has not yet been developed as intensely. Also, sewer lines have not been extended northwest of Garrett Farms. This lower degree of disturbance on the adjacent uplands offers a continued potential for wildlife habitat preservation no longer possible south of Garrett Farms. Protection measures must be introduced before the adjacent lands undergo intense development. Recommendations for the Protection and Use of Component 4: • Protect the entire 100 -year floodplain. • Establish a protected wildlife area for plants and animals in the stretch of New Hope Creek as described above. • Permit no extension of sewer lines in the wildlife protection area. • Manage floodplain lands to maintain open fields and pastures. • In Durham County (Component 4 Map, Area A), acquire development rights to lands zoned R -20 (1 dwelling unit per .5 acre) so that the resulting density is one dwelling per 2 acres. • In the Orange County /Chapel Hill Joint Planning Area (Component 4 Map, Area B), maintain the existing rural buffer zone that requires a minimum 2 -acre residential lot size, with no extension of public sewer lines. • In the Chapel Hill Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) (Component 4 Map, Area C), retain the existing RT zoning with a 2.3 acre minimum lot size. 38