Agenda - 03-07-2019 8-a - Minutes

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18 1 partnership with a developer for affordable housing in the development. She said this particular 2 development is close to 1-40 and mass transit. 3 Commissioner Bedford asked about the possibility of a unified software system for 4 transit that would work between transit authorities for access for seniors and others. 5 Theo Letman said this is in the works, and that the transit authorities grouped together to 6 make a software purchase more economical. 7 The facilitator noted some next steps on transit: starting conversations about a unified 8 transit vision for Orange County, creating a strong partnership with Hillsborough and creating an 9 MOU, revisiting conversations with Carrboro about transit west of 54. 10 Chair Rich asked about interjurisdictional transit groups. 11 Bonnie Hammersley said there have been some efforts at the staff level. 12 Commissioner Dorosin said an informal group meeting would be a good idea to explore 13 with colleagues in other jurisdictions. 14 Bonnie Hammersley said it is important for the department heads, in attendance today, 15 to hear the need for collaboration. 16 Commissioner Dorosin said the conversation on transit is also happening at an 17 opportune moment, as a collective conversation will be needed after a decision is made on the 18 light rail project. 19 20 Economic Development; Background 21 Steve Brantley said he will focus on three topics for his presentation: the recently 22 completed SWOT analysis of the economic development districts; Article 46 and examples of 23 use; and examples of intergovernmental collaboration for economic development. 24 Steve Brantley presented the three different economic development district and said the 25 Art's Commission is no longer a part of it. He described the state and county grants that go 26 towards economic development. He said while funding from the general fund has been flat for 8 27 or 9 years, funding from Article 46 has provided additional funding. 28 Steve Brantley said the SWOT analysis shows that there is less developable land than 29 initially thought when the economic development districts were created. 30 Steve Brantley said some projects necessitate more sewer capacity than the districts 31 can handle, and that home building has encroached on some of the districts, particularly the 32 Eno district. He said homes and industrial areas don't mix well together. 33 Steve Brantley said the SWOT analysis shows that sewer and water capacity has not 34 been finished in some areas that may be desirable for development, and the SWOT analysis 35 shows that land prices are too high for development. 36 Steve Brantley reviewed the recommendations made by the consultants: work with 37 Mebane on a water/sewer agreement, consider optioning or buying property, potentially build a 38 shell building on properties, explore properties outside the economic development districts, and 39 to look at properties close to current water/sewer planning. 40 Steve Brantley referenced two items from the September work sessions: pre-zoning 41 properties currently zoned Agriculture to Residential and a GIS site-selection study. He said the 42 study will look at the development potential of sites adjacent to Economic Development 43 Districts. He highlighted areas where residential areas are hindering industries from coming in, 44 and one area near Buckhorn Road where a property owner is selling property for residential 45 use. 46 Commissioner Price asked what is wrong with having residential areas in close proximity 47 to industry. 48 49 Steve Brantley answered that many potential investors have looked at property in the 50 districts and have been put off by nearby residential areas. He said the activities of industry and 51 residential areas do not mix, citing industry near children waiting for a bus as an example. He