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9 not fair to say that its regulations are better or worse than the County’s. Chapel Hill’s model mirrors development interests, 431 opportunities and constraints and other realities in a condensed urban area. 432 433 Randy Marshall said that it appears to him that Chapel Hill’s regulations are inadequate or incompetent based on past history. 434 435 Dave Blankfard mentioned the Eastgate Shopping Center has done several things for flood mitigation like flood-proofing at the 436 Starbuck’s located there and re-doing the piping under some of the buildings. 437 438 Randy Marshall commented that these efforts were sort of like closing the barn door after the horses were already out. 439 440 Tony Blake said that it could be worse than that. He has heard talk about the Days Inn on Fordham Blvd being torn down and 441 that the area would be paved. 442 443 Randy Marshall said that that sort of move would likely be in violation of the County’s regulations. 444 445 Tony Blake said that outcomes of a move like that could affect the County’s emergency management vehicles. What can the 446 County do in these cases? 447 448 Kim Piracci asked for more information about the Days Inn. 449 450 Tony Blake explained that the Days Inn is going to be torn down and there will be a 7-story apartment or student housing 451 complex going in its place with 700-800 sq. ft. apartments. 452 453 Randy Marshall expressed concerns about how the stream in that area would be re-channeled. 454 455 David Blankfard commented that Bolin Creek will flood. 456 457 Tony Blake suggested putting in a large stormwater BMP (Best Management Practice) to manage the effects. He also said 458 that the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill follows its own state regulations. 459 460 David Blankfard added that UNC works with the Town and developers on BMPs using a large-scale shared model that tracks 461 everything. 462 463 Michael Harvey noted that Chapel Hill is now charging a stormwater utility fee that has to be paid for development. The fee is 464 designed to be used to purchase property and make modifications to existing stormwater outfalls to make them more effective. 465 There have been some innovative projects that turn wetlands into rain gardens which helps issues associated with flooding. 466 The County has the benefit of not having to deal with these issues in the same way and the County has the luxury of doing 467 this with floodplain mostly being in compact area, whereas flooding can be a massive issue as it is nearby in Durham and in 468 Wake County. Additionally, the County has a planning program that strives to identify and locate high intensity development in 469 areas where there are not environmentally sensitive areas and floodplain, and the County has property that can fit this criteria. 470 The County benefits from many positives and the floodplain the County has is managed properly. 471 472 Tony Blake commented that Chapel Hill just used a chunk of budget for improving the Ephesus-Fordham area but will it be 473 enough. 474 475 Michael Harvey asked if anyone had any concerns about the amendment. 476 477 Tony Blake said that he wanted to discuss the amendment with some farmers who live around the Haw River who he would 478 be seeing soon. He wants to run this amendment by them. 479 480 Michael Harvey said that there is inherently no difference in what the County currently does, other than the elimination of the 481 Overlay District. 482 483 13