Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
3 <br /> his comment , Commissioner Gordon stated that the new department will not add anything in <br /> administrative costs and unlike others in the county , it will not be free- standing . <br /> Annette Jurgelski questioned if the new department could be a part of the Planning Department, <br /> rather than separate from it . Commissioner Gordon and David Stancil responded that in theory <br /> this was possible , but given the regulatory nature of the Planning Department it would be better <br /> to keep the new department separate so that it could be an advocate for environmental protection . <br /> Commissioner Gordon also added that the new department would not be a regulator as many at <br /> the hearing had anticipated . <br /> Rafalow brought up the point that the protection of natural resources is a regulatory action and <br /> that landowners that are concerned about their property rights have legitimate concerns . To this <br /> Commissioner Gordon reiterated that the new department is not being created to take away <br /> landowner rights . Jane Sharp -MacRae remarked that without the new department development <br /> acquisition tools such as TDR ' s cannot be utilized . Mr . Rafalow commented that when he first <br /> joined the CFE he felt that it could be a lightning rod for change , a potent political force . <br /> Rosalinda Lidh, reoriented the discussion by asking what specific steps needed to be taken by the <br /> Commission to ensure implementation of the new department . Sharp -MacRae felt that working <br /> with the media was critical and that a response to the Chapel Hill Herald editorial needed to be <br /> crafted to document the proactive role of the new department. Commissioner Gordon concurred, <br /> and added that the positive publicity about the department has not been evident thus an op - ed <br /> piece would be a good start . Rafalow and Sharp -MacRae indicated their willingness to draft an <br /> editorial piece highlighting the need for the department. Lidh reiterated her prior concern about <br /> if anything , by the Commission to guarantee implementation . Pratt <br /> what needed to be done , <br /> questioned the need for an editorial given the lack of a public mandate and the fact that there are <br /> enough votes on the BOCC to ensure implementation of the department . Commissioner Gordon <br /> stated that there were enough votes from the BOCC to implement the new department . <br /> Lee Rafalow repeated that he would be willing to draft an editorial response to the Herald piece <br /> and would be willing to run it by Jane Sharp -MacRae and Commissioner Gordon . Jurgelski and <br /> Rafalow suggested that the draft should be sent to the whole group for input and approval . <br /> Rafalow agreed, and it was decided that he would craft a response to the Chapel Hill Herald op- <br /> ed . <br /> VI . Report on November 5 Triangle Open Space Forum (TOSN) /Shaping Orange <br /> County ' s Future (SOCF) Meeting <br /> Rosalinda Lidh briefed the Commission on the TOSN/ SOCF Open Space Forum . She was happy <br /> to see so many people in attendance , and felt that the most promising aspect of the meeting was <br /> the maps . In contrast, she was disappointed that information on tools other than direct <br /> acquisition was not readily accessible . Lastly, she was planning to contact Jonathan Howes to <br /> obtain a copy of his presentation. David Stancil indicated that Lidh ' s disappointments may be <br /> partly attributable to the failure of a LCD projector . Stancil felt that this hindered the ability of <br /> speakers at the forum to present, but indicated that a complete version of Jonathan Howes ' <br /> planned presentation will be shown on the peoples channel . Also Stancil mentioned that he had a <br />