Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
"This place has rural character." Strayhorn said there were places <br />in eastern North Carolina where water lines had been extended into <br />the rural areas, but they didn't have Duke University , UNC, <br />Research Triangle Park, and two interstate highways. <br />Bob Strayhorn said'if he had a vision, it would be to go back 40 <br />years before there was a Stoney Creek and Powder Mill and find some <br />way to buy the properties where they are situated. Getting back to <br />the present, he said that most of the development that had taken <br />place in the area had happened when the land got out of the hands <br />of the original owners and into the hands of people wanting to make <br />a profit. He said those who owned land wanted to keep it as long <br />as zney coula, nuz zne longer <br />they had to contend with. Ver <br />about what he would like. He <br />as low as possible without putt <br />developed their land already <br />example. He said he loved hi <br />unless tragedy or other unfc <br />happen. He said he would prc <br />space if the community would sz <br />Stoney Creek planning area, a <br />have to go to purchase open <br />space like Curtis Bane and h <br />mandated open space strategies <br />everyone having to contribute <br />sold or developed their prop( <br />about it. Lee Rafalow said hE <br />Strayhorn said he was not sure <br />few acres would be ;if they knE <br />was going toward purchasing or <br />zney nela on zne more reszriczions <br />_a Insko asked Strayhorn to say more <br />aid he would like to keep it density <br />ing the burden on people who haven't <br />He mentioned open space as an <br />open space and it wasn't for sale <br />reseen circumstances forced it to <br />bably feel a lot better about open <br />y to everybody who sells land in the <br />-.ertain percentage of your proceeds <br />pace. He felt that owners of open <br />.mself were being hit hardest when <br />were proposed. He said the idea of <br />to open space acquisition when they <br />rty made him feel a little better <br />thought Strayhorn had a good idea. <br />how supportive people who owned a <br />w a sizable portion of their profit <br />an space. <br />The discussion shifted to impact fees for schools. Bob Strayhorn <br />said there should be a change in the structure of the impact fee <br />program. He felt 'that fees should be reduced -for the person <br />building a home and the person moving here and working in some <br />other county should pay a larger portion. He felt the counties <br />where these people worked were getting the tax benefits of non- <br />residential development and Orange County was footing the bill on <br />education. He stated that Orange County was a bedroom county. He <br />said his vision would be similar to what the Rural Character Study <br />Committee tried to do, to put as few demands on landowners as you <br />can, maybe in this area you go to two acres as a starting point, <br />but encourage people to go beyond the minimum and'give incentives <br />for doing things. He would be opposed to ever taking any of his <br />land for open space if that was not what he wanted. He said he <br />wanted to be a good neighbor, but didn't feel anyone was entitled <br />to what he had had to work for; he was willing to share with them <br />as long as he was here. Strayhorn felt we were missing the boat by <br />not recognizing people who have contributed to open space <br />preservation. He mentioned the Blackwood family as an example, <br />citing how they had lived modestly all their lives, although they <br />