Agenda - 11-20-2006-c3 - Laserfiche WebLink

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FIT., . V W- 13 46 properly reflect the 1994 data and use the technology we have in 2006 to define what %2 mile is. 47 The technology has changed a lot in the last few years. 48 49 In 1994 we did not have the geographical information, so we used the tax maps, which were not 50 to scale. Some watershed lines were put on the maps, based on staff's estimation of the location, 51 and many of the lines were changed over time using pencil or white out. In 1999 when I came, I 52 said `we can do better than this. We have the technology available.' Since 1999 we've attempted 53 to get better GIS maps and properly apply the text. For example, the West Fork Reservoir is 54 actually larger than was originally assumed on the 1994 map. Also, there was a 1987 Water 55 Supply Study that was adopted which reflected the Seven -Mile Creek and Eno River around the 56 impoundment area that I didn't even know about. We believe that the 1994 map reflected this 57 area, rather than the current impoundment. Several approximations were used, that influence the 58 potential flooding area. 59 60 Jeff Schmitt: The developers were using the text language for their subdivision applications, 61 which stated 1/2 mile or the ridgeline. This issue came to the Board of Adjustment because of the 62 maps that the developers had understood had been approved by the BOCC. 63 64 Craig Benedict: What we think was shown to the BOCC in 1994 was a hand drawn scale of the 65 entire County, not just this area. Then, that map's scale was transposed onto these maps, and this 66 has acted as the official Zoning Atlas since 1994. We were trying to update these maps, and 67 found irregularities. As Jeff mentioned, the interpretation of 1/2 mile from the normal pool or the 68 ridgeline of the watershed was the issue. My interpretation was that the ridgeline means the 69 ridgeline of watersheds (a grey line) on approved zoning watershed maps. There also is a sub - 70 basin ridgeline that isn't in the zoning text, which is different. The applicant's interpretation was 71 that the Critical Area should not go %2 mile from the grey line; it should be pulled back to the 72 sub -basin ridgeline. I saw no operative language in our zoning code that talked about pulling 73 back to the sub -basin ridgeline. 74 75 Crauf ird Goodwin: Which were the reservoirs that you knew existed? 76 77 Craig Benedict: The Eno River above McGowan Creek. That was approved, and was indicated 78 in the book that when Site B was selected, that this site should also be buffered. In 2003 when 79 we tried to reflect that definition, we looked at the Eno River going up to the two reservoirs, and 80 buffered %2 mile from the river. So, in that case, the 1994 map was larger than the 2003 map. 81 82 Brian Dobyns: Is the Critical Area definition Orange County's? It's different than the State 83 Critical Area definition. 84 85 Craig Benedict: That's correct. In the 1994 reproduced map, the State definitions of Critical 86 Areas only include %2 mile from the intake of Lake Ben Johnston and V2 mile from the intake of, 87 Corporation Lake. 88 89 Brian Dobyns: It also includes %2 mile from the normal pool of elevation of the reservoirs, but 90 excludes land that does not drain into those impoundments. 91 13