Orange County NC Website
David Blankfard asked how often the MTC buffer has been reduced to 50 feet. Craig Benedict answered that the 276 <br />county hasn’t had development to use it. Michael Harvey said the county came close to it with the proposed 277 <br />Buckhorn Village development, which didn’t get developed. 278 <br /> 279 <br />Patricia Roberts if Buckhorn Village didn’t get built because the developers didn’t get the buffer reduction they 280 <br />wanted. Michael Harvey answered no, it was approved but the downturn in the economy killed it. 281 <br /> 282 <br />Lydia Wegman said she is supportive of the plan. 283 <br /> 284 <br />Michael Harvey said the next condition is regarding architectural landmark and portal signs. That will be presented at 285 <br />the January meeting. He clarified there will not be external illumination. 286 <br /> 287 <br />Regarding land use for elementary, middle and secondary schools, the county has reached out to the Orange County 288 <br />Schools Board of Education. The county had expressed concern about schools being located at an industrial site and 289 <br />is waiting to hear from the school board. The concern is about allowing schools in District 1 near industrial sites. Tony 290 <br />Blake asked would that preclude having a corporate training site. Michael Harvey answered no, just schools teaching 291 <br />pre-K through 12th grade. 292 <br /> 293 <br />Paul Guthrie said there would be episodes of heavy traffic if schools were allowed. Will there be adequate access at 294 <br />peak times? Michael Harvey said that has been asked and the developer is looking at that. 295 <br /> 296 <br />Patricia Roberts asked if there is a need for more schools right now. Michael Harvey answered there is not 297 <br />anticipated need for a school according to the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (SAPFO) for 10 years. 298 <br />He said there is thought that a school should be closer to Gravelly Hill Middle School or Efland Elementary School. 299 <br />He thinks the developer was looking to the future. 300 <br /> 301 <br />Craig Benedict said we do have SAPFO. There is not a need for an elementary or middle school in the next 10 years. 302 <br />Cedar Ridge High School is being expanded now. School land-banking opportunities are most likely needed in the 303 <br />western area of the county due to the growth in Mebane. A school use was more pertinent when District 3 was being 304 <br />considered. That would have been residential and even though it was proposed to be senior housing, a school in that 305 <br />residential area would be more appropriate. He added that having a school in an area where you want tax base 306 <br />would not be the best use. 307 <br /> 308 <br />Michael Harvey reviewed there is an additional condition that looped water systems would be required to provide 309 <br />additional water flow and pressure in each district. The developer has tweaked alternate language saying looped 310 <br />water systems may be required and are ultimately the responsibility of the developer. County staff will be meeting 311 <br />with the applicant to further work on this language. 312 <br /> 313 <br />Tony Blake said if you’re going to make this a “could” or “may,” you should define what adequate flow pressure is. 314 <br />Michael Harvey said he thinks Craig Benedict wanted something specific to address a concern he had about water 315 <br />pressure. 316 <br /> 317 <br />Tony Blake said water pressure is a measurable thing. Craig Benedict said we’ll be moving toward saying it will meet 318 <br />fire code and building code. We’re not going to mandate something that’s not necessary. We’ll put some sort of 319 <br />standards in there. It will be based on occupancy code. If there is a multi-story hotel, the pressure may need to be 320 <br />higher in that area. 321 <br /> 322 <br />Tony Blake said flow is critical for the rating of the insurance. 323 <br /> 324 <br />Lydia Wegman checked that staff and the developer will continue to discuss. Michael Harvey confirmed. 325 <br /> 326 <br />Michael Harvey continued his presentation. He said the developer had several conditions associated with the TIA 327 <br />and external and internal traffic improvements. He reviewed the existing conditions map. He reviewed where 328 <br />stoplights would be installed in Phase 1. He said the developer wanted everyone to know there was supposed to be 329 <br />a stoplight at that intersection at Waterstone. The developer is planning to install it if it doesn’t get there first for 330 <br />79