Orange County NC Website
• 1 <br />amendments to the Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan and Map and the Orange County <br />Comprehensive Plan (Land Use Element) and Map to incorporate recommendations from <br />the New Hope Creek Corridor open Space Master Plan. In 1989, the governing boards <br />of Orange County, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Durham County recognized the value <br />of an open space corridor linking the Eno River State Park, lands along New Hope <br />Creek, and U.S. Corps of Engineers' land at Lake Jordan. The four jurisdictions <br />contracted with Coulter Associates, Landscape Architects & Land Planners, to <br />prepare a master plan for the corridor. Produced with the assistance of a multi - <br />jurisdictional advisory committee, the New Hope Creek Corridor Open Space Master <br />Plan was presented to the elected officials of the four jurisdictions in April, <br />1991. The plan includes recommendations for acquiring critical environmental <br />areas such as stream beds, floodplains, steep slopes, and larger tracts with <br />historic, educational or recreational value. Acquisition could be through <br />donation, purchase in fee simple, or purchase of development rights. Some of <br />the wildlife corridors should remain in private ownership. <br />The Orange County portion of the Corridor includes: <br />1. Wildlife Corridors, including the 100 -year floodplain; <br />a. New Hope Creek Wildlife Corridor- beginning at the point the <br />creek crosses Mt. Sinai Road (SR 1718) extending through Duke <br />Forest to Erwin Road (SR 1737); also includes a portion of the <br />floodplain along Old Field Creek between the Existing Natural <br />Area and New Hope Creek; <br />b. Piney Mountain Creek Wildlife Corridor - extending through the <br />Couch Tract of Duke Forest south along Piney Mountain Creek <br />across Mt. Sinai Road to New Hope Creek; <br />C. Rhodes Creek wildlife Corridor - beginning south of Cornwallis <br />Road extending northeast to Eno River State Park; <br />.2. Wildlife Protection Area, including the 100 -year floodplain between <br />Erwin Road and the Durham County line; <br />3. Unpaved nature trails; and <br />a. Within Duke Forest on existing roads and trails <br />b. Across Cornwallis Road (SR 1716) connecting the Couch Tract <br />and the Durham Division of Duke Forest; and <br />C. Along Sunrise Road crossing I -40 to the Korstian Division <br />access point of Whitfield Road; <br />4. Bike /pedestrian trails. <br />a. In conjunction with a scenic Road Designation along NC 751 <br />and any future extension; and <br />b. Following Old NC 10 to Mt. Hermon Church Road, across US <br />Highway 70 to Pleasant Green Road to reach Eno River State <br />Park. <br />Mr. Waldon, Planning Director for the Town of Chapel Hill, announced the <br />schedule for the Town Planning Board and Town Council to consider the proposed <br />amendments. He added that the Chapel Hill planning staff would also propose <br />amendments to the town's Land Use Plan to include portions of the New Hope <br />Corridor Open Space Master Plan within the town limits. <br />THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED FOR QUESTIONS/ COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS. <br />Mr. David Patterson stated that he was an Orange County native and a <br />descendant of John Patterson who owned land along New Hope Creek. Mr. Patterson <br />urged protection of the headwaters of New Hope Creek, especially from site #4 <br />under consideration for the proposed County landfill. <br />