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4 <br />trouble in this community and anything that adversely affects the housing <br />industry also affects many other types of businesses. <br />STEVE SHEPARD spoke against this proposal. He stated that not <br />only are lower income residents adversely effected by this fee, but that <br />middle income families may be forced to choose a neighboring county because <br />of this additional cost. He mentioned that renters may be discouraged from <br />becoming home owners. <br />SCOTT RADWAY, of Radway & Weaver, spoke in opposition to this <br />proposal. He is a resident of Orange County and a planning and development <br />consultant. He submitted a report challenging the premise that new housing <br />is the major influence in increased school enrollment. A copy of his report <br />is in the Permanent Agenda File in the Clerk's office. <br />ROBERT BRYAN spoke on behalf of the Chapel Hill Board of Realtors. <br />He read a resolution endorsed by the Board stating their opposition to this <br />fee. A copy of the resolution is in the Permanent Agenda File in the Clerk's <br />office. <br />VIC KNIGHT spoke in opposition to this proposal. He mentioned <br />that he agreed with many of the points already presented. He commented that <br />increasing the price of new construction would cause an increase in the cost <br />of older homes. <br />MARK MARCOPLOS spoke against this proposal. He agrees that there <br />are real needs in the school systems. However, this is not an equitable <br />proposal for increasing the revenue source. He believes that there is a need <br />to research a more equitable solution to these financial needs. He also <br />stated there is a need to reevaluate the financial demands being made by both <br />the State and Federal Government which he feels are unfair and unreasonable. <br />EVERETT GREEN, an Orange County resident and building supply <br />owner, spoke against this proposal. He indicated that the cost of lumber has <br />increased 40% and that this is one of the factors removing home buyers from <br />the market. Imposing an impact fee will only compound the difficulties that <br />the building market is experiencing in this community. <br />MR. MADDOX indicated that he relocated to Orange County several <br />years ago. He now has three children and is planning to build a new home. <br />If this proposal is implemented he may be forced to move to an adjacent <br />county. <br />LARRY CARROLL spoke on behalf of the Durham /Chapel Hill Builders <br />Association. This Association is against this proposed fee. He stated that <br />they believe this fee will cause fewer homes to be built which will have a <br />major impact on employment in Orange County. In response to a question from <br />Commissioner Willhoit he indicated that the Association does supports an <br />impact fee for roads and other similar needs. They do not support this fee <br />for schools. <br />JEFF PELOQUIN spoke against this proposal. <br />JOE PHELPS spoke in opposition to this fee <br />BEN LLOYD spoke in opposition to this proposal. <br />The following citizens wrote letters opposing these proposed <br />impact fees: Gary Whicker of Whicker Enterprises; Dale'Martin, President of <br />Capital Area Manufactured Housing Association; Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Tello; <br />Kenneth Touw, and D. Tyson Clayton, of the Hillsborough Savings & Loan <br />Association. <br />