Minutes 11-13-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Commissioner Marcoplos arrived at 7:14 p.m. a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda Eugene Casale said the residents of the Northwoods neighborhood are aware that the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) wants to run Eubanks Road through their neighborhood, and he is representing himself and his neighbors, who are shocked and opposed to DOT’s plan. He said there is great concern about the loss of houses, effect on property values, effects on wells and septic systems, the increase in noise and air pollution, and the loss of overall safety. He said the residents are interested in finding an alternate solution to the problem that DOT thinks it has, while preserving the neighborhood to the greatest extent possible. He said the neighborhood is in an extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), and is seeking support from the County on how to navigate these issues moving forward. He said the neighbors would like to be included in future discussions regarding this item. Natasha Elliot distributed a handout, and said she is the Executive Director of the Central Piedmont Community Action (CPCA). She reviewed the handout, which covered areas of success in providing services in Orange County, such as weatherization and heating and air replacement services for low-income residents. She said the organization is in need of board membership from Orange County, including a low-income individual and a private industry individual. Sheryl Andrews said she is the CPCA Community Block Grant Program Director, and she described the services they provide and the successes of their program. John Hollingworth said he is a Northwood’s resident, and is opposed to the DOT proposed widening of I-40, which will affect their neighborhood. He petitioned the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to put this on its agendas going forward and to make it a priority. Waddy Davis said he is a resident of the Northwoods neighborhood, and appealed to the Board of County Commissioners that this item be added to the future discussion of the I-40 widening project. Eric Broo said he is a resident of Northwood’s neighborhood, and this proposed project took them by surprise. He said DOT usually comes with more than one option, and the neighbors want to know what the other options are. He said it is not clear what is going to happen, and this proposal is expensive and destructive. He said the neighbors are concerned about the wells and septic systems, but they want to work with the DOT to find a more suitable solution. He said the community will be significantly affected. Chair Dorosin said the Board hears and shares these concerns, and the Board understands that being in the ETJ is a hybrid area and the Board appreciates the neighbors coming out. He said the Board will make sure the neighborhood is informed and included. Commissioner Price asked if the date of the next DOT meeting is known. Commissioner Marcoplos said the meeting was scheduled, but it was the day the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) water main broke. He said the meeting was postponed until after the holidays. Commissioner Marcoplos said DOT did not have as much information as it should have at the meeting, which was cut short. He asked if Orange County staff would work to help fill in the gaps and share with DOT and the neighborhood, so that DOT comes more prepared next time. Bonnie Hammersley said staff reached out to DOT, but has not heard back. Commissioner Jacobs said he called the DOT board member about this situation last week, noting how unsatisfactory the process had been thus far. He said the DOT member agreed, and promised to make phone calls to improve the process.