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10 <br /> <br />properties that are owned by the same owner, and tonight’s item was about one specific <br />property. He said the Planning Department has not received any requests pertaining to the <br />other portions of land. <br />Bonnie Hammersley said there was a meeting between Mr. Fisher, Commissioner <br />Jacobs, Commissioner Marcoplos, Commissioner Rich, Travis Myren and herself, where a <br />request was made beyond what the staff felt could be done. She said she has heard a lot of <br />new information this evening. She said this evening’s item contains all that the staff felt it was <br />able to do, and it is not nearly as much as Mr. Fisher originally requested. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said there are two issues: 1.) He would like to see the original <br />abstract that proposed the conservation easement for Dr. Keith’s arboretum; and 2.) He <br />wonders if this is being used as a stalking horse for something else, and this would involve <br />planning as well as DEAPR. He said it is important to discuss everything with those most <br />impacted, including the present owner. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said the Board’s first priority is to protect the conservation <br />easement, for which the County paid, and suggested deferring this item until questions have <br />been resolved. <br />Commissioner Price agreed with Commissioner Jacobs. <br />Commissioner Burroughs supported tabling this item until discussions have taken place. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos agreed. <br /> <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Burroughs <br />Consensus to table this bring back with more information about original easement, community <br />meeting and also to get as much information as they can around this property. <br /> <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> <br />4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations RESUMED <br /> <br />b. Board of Adjustment (BOA) Overview <br />The Board received information regarding the purpose and operations of the Orange <br />County Board of Adjustment, including a brief presentation from Professor David Owens, <br />Gladys Hall Coates Professor of Public Law and Government, of the UNC School of <br />Government, and the Board will discuss this matter as necessary and provide direction to the <br />Manager. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Orange County residents have expressed concerns regarding the operations of the Board of <br />Adjustment and staff appointed to assist the Board of Adjustment. The Board of <br />Commissioners directed staff to recruit a neutral third party to present an overview of the <br />purpose and operations of boards of adjustment. The County Manager, County Attorney, and <br />staff have been reviewing the issues raised and associated solutions and costs. In addition to <br />questions related to process concerns were expressed regarding availability of public records. <br />Orange County is in the midst of converting to a process in which most public records subject to <br />requests would be published on the County’s website. This conversion is ongoing, but once <br />complete will eliminate situations in which a record may be provided in a format not acceptable <br />to the requesting party. Per newly enacted state law most records will be posted electronically <br />in response to requests. <br /> <br />Below is a brief overview of county boards of adjustment: <br />