Agenda 8-a - Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 23 modified versus a chunk, is preferable is something he cannot answer, but he would like more information. Commissioner Jacobs said he does not understand why a higher density could not be done anywhere. Travis Myren said the development area by the potential densities would be applied to each size of development area. Commissioner Jacobs said he does not understand why it is assumed in the small scenario that the density is low, as opposed to high density all the way through. Commissioner Jacobs said he does not want to make this land into a "new ghetto" by packing the largest possible amount of people onto the land. He said he is in favor of having mixed use and a variety of housing types, but he does not understand why the density assumptions are being made, especially in the small scenario. Travis Myren said in an unbounded thought exercise, one could see how high the density could go. Commissioner Jacobs said some open space would be required, but he questioned the assumption that one would automatically yield the fewest units, unless the BOCC decides it is going to yield the fewest units. He suggests that a range of units may be a better way to think about it. Travis Myren said he understands Commissioner Jacobs' comments. Chair Dorosin said he does not understand, and he thought this was a good way to compare the scenarios, because the same metrics is being used for each. He said it does not have to be 20 units, 10 units, and 6 units, but these numbers are benchmarks. He said he is referring to slide 16. Chair Dorosin said the presentation lays out three different options for how much developable area there will be, based on how the headwaters are configured. He said the metrics are being applied to these three different total acreage numbers. Commissioner Jacobs said there could be a target number of units, as opposed to a target number of acreage, and design something less dense, and more livable. Travis Myren said the reason why the 39 acres times 20 does not work, is because the 39 includes the school site, the road, etc. He said a subset of those 39 acres would be available for housing. Commissioner Jacobs asked, if there is mixed use, is it counted separately yet again, or is it a part of the housing. Travis Myren said that would be part of the housing. Commissioner Jacobs said the inclusion of commercial development has been part of the debate from the beginning, and the issue of food deserts makes this particularly germane. Commissioner Marcoplos said food deserts and jobs, and he would be in favor of mixed use. He said the eastern side has always intrigued him because it allows easier access to existing transportation and food. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if there is a reason why this railroad track is such an insurmountable obstacle. Craig Benedict, Planning Director, said there are no new crossings allowed over the rail, and adding one requires the removal of two existing crossings. He said the existing crossings, at Homestead and Eubanks roads, are critical. He said if the North Carolina Railroad (NCRR) were to abandon this rail in the future, there would be no problems. He said Orange County will submit an application, but NCRR has recommended that the County find another access point from the north or south. He said there is possible access to the north through Genestu Drive, next to the Animal Shelter, but some right of ways would be needed from property owners. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if NCRR has the same criteria for a freight train travelling at 60 miles per hour, and a coal train that is crawling along.