Agenda - 03-07-2019 8-f Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane - Attachment

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Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Access Management Plan It is easy to place a blue dot in this location and hold it out as an area for future study, but it has implications for any landowner surrounding it. This area is one of the few locations in the "Efland Area Commercial Industrial Node"that has bath water and sewer. To designate it an area of"Future Analysis Required"would have negative implications for any potential buyer because no one in the Planning department would be able to define what the county would require for regulatory compliance or right- of-way designation. As such, it would eliminate anyone's interest in the area for purchase or development. We currently do not know of any long-range plans by either the NCDOT or Southern Railroad for any new intersection in the Efland area,and at the public information forum it was expressed that the County was not aware of any plans either. We also have heard in the past about Southern Railroads unwillingness to share information or co-ordinate with the county.We first heard this idea of an over- under-pass mentioned in 1978,which was 40 pears ago. It seems to reappear every few years as wishful thinking. For anyone who stands adjacent to the curve on Forrest Avenue and looks at the height required of a railroad overpass, and the distance to Hwy 70,it becomes apparent that the idea N not realistic and does not require"Future Analysis". For these reasons we think Orange County's resources would be much better allocated to serve the area by removing the western blue dot on EBM-AMP in Efland and developing a plan with NCDOT to connect Hwy70 to the interstate in bath directions at the Hwy 70 Connector. This would also eliminate any required co-ordination with Southern Railroad for a new intersection. Lastly; I (Doug Efland) personally sat through an extended series of monthly meetings with the Planning Department during the development of separate zoning overlays for the north side of the railroad tracks vs the south side of the railroad tracks in Efland. The stated purpose of the two separate zoning overlays were to preserve the village character on the north side while the county was constructing infrastructure on the south side to accommodate development along the interstate corridor. During this process we worked together as a citizen group with the Planning Department,and wrestled with different height restrictions for buildings and signs on the north side vs the south side among other things. To even contemplate for"Future Analysis"the creation of a colossal geographic feature taller than any structures that would be allowable,and then placed in the heart of the Village of Efland negates any planning the County has previously put in place.This would permanently change the character of Efland. To reiterate,we think there should be increased thought about a two-way connection on the west side of the Hwy 70 connector and the removal of any verbiage or designation for consideration of any railroad over-under-pass from the Village of Efland's portion of the updated EBM-AMP. Weappreciate your time spent with us and your consideration of our concerns. Sincerely, Douglas Efland Donald Efland