Agenda - 08-24-1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Public Hearing, CP -1 -92 University Station Land Use Plan Amendment have been gaining favor with consumers. There are no schools mentioned in the proposal, and although they suggest site set - asides for churches, a day care center, community centers, and a light rail system, at what point in the development timetable do these services become economically viable? And, if and when competitive business services do become viable within the subdivision, how many and what kind of jobs will be created? This proposal does not create a "self- contained" community. Traffic . It seems a safe conclusion that a lot of trips will be made by the 3000 or so residents commuting to and from their jobs, going to the store, school, church. etc. during the 30 -year transition period. In addition, any business activities that do occur within the proposed development will no doubt employ people from outside the immediate neighborhood. All of these trips will be taken on two roads: New Hope Church Road and Old NC 10. Both of these roads are designated as major thoroughfares in the transportation plan, but there is no plan for significant upgrades to these roads. One must also ask if the additional growth in this area risks resurrecting the plan for a northern Freeway with an interchange at Old NC 10? Economic Pressure. Although the planned population density for this subdivision does not reach critical mass to support business services within the "village" until late in it's development timetable, the population growth will create significant pressure to provide business services at strategically located intersections within the surrounding rural area. Likely locations for such pressure include the New Hope Church Road intersections with I -40 and nC 86 and the University Station Road intersections with Old NC 10 and US 70. Alternatively, if adequate parking is provided within the "village," it may serve as a commercial center for the surrounding areas. And, of course, once established, whatever the growth patterns. they will not change. Even vigilant elected officials, staff and citizenry may not successfully resist all of the .plan change proposals that might arise from this proposal. In reality, the proposed development risks creating urban sprawl rather than protecting the rural character of the County. Intent of the Plan_ The proposed development does not comply with current open space densities specified in the Plan. Even though it has not been approved yet, we can also examine the intent of the current draft of the Rural Character Study. Borrowing phrases from the Declaration of Independence, the study committee makes a bold -- and laudable -- attempt to find innovative ways to preserve the rural character of the County and still protect and maintain the property rights of rural landowners to profit from their real estate investments. But the studv committee is also very cautious in their implementation recommendations.