Minutes 01-25-2019 BOCC Retreat - Laserfiche WebLink

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20 attract industry will disappear. He said he fears that sitting back and doing nothing will result in a lack of options. He said that residential development does not always break even. Commissioner Dorosin refocused the conversation on economic development as a county wide goal. He echoed Commissioner McKee's call for action and also called for engaging colleagues in other jurisdictions. He referred to a recent request from Carrboro concerning more Article 46 funding and other areas for potential collaboration in other jurisdictions. He said the lack of return on investment in the current Economic Development Districts makes the "one Orange" idea a tougher sell when the investments do not yield results. Commissioner McKee said he is eager to see plans from the other jurisdictions on economic development, and that he is more than willing to consider other ways to invest resources. Chair Rich said the conversation about economic development has been happening a long time. She said the lack of a long-term strategy and a lack of consistent success in her 6 years on the board are both disappointing. Commissioner Price said she supports considering changes to the Buckhorn district in light of the SWOT analysis, as well as further conversations with jurisdictions about investment inside the towns. Commissioner Price said the lack of economic development impact has led to many young people leaving the County because of better opportunities elsewhere. Commissioner Marcoplos checked with the group about their support for making changes in zoning for the Buckhorn economic development district. The group agreed that they would at least like to see a plan. Commissioner Marcoplos suggested that the Board should explore whether or not there is a way to explore development of land along Highway 10 inside the rural buffer while honoring the intent of the rural buffer. He suggested looking at rezoning there. Commissioner Marcoplos also supported the idea of expanding the water and sewer agreements with OWASA. Commissioner Dorosin redirected the conversation to collaboration with other jurisdictions. Commissioner McKee said funds not working well in a district could be used in other jurisdictions. He reminded the group that sewer and water have only been available in the districts for 7 years. Commissioner Dorosin said investments have been made and that residential growth could be at risk. Commissioner McKee reminded the group that the Gravelly Hill sewer and water access wasn't put in for residential areas. Steve Brantley said the perception that the Buckhorn district is a failure does not take into account the competition 4 miles away in Alamance County. Chair Rich said she never called it a failure, but does not see it progressing. Steve Brantley said the SWOT analysis shows that Alamance is a significant competitor. He said one of the most attractive pieces of land the county has contains no roads and utilities, and a lack of utilities has hindered immediate progress. He said he has seen a lot of interest in the districts and mentioned the success of attracting an industry when utilities were in place. Steve Brantley then identified a piece of property off the interstate that has the best appeal for investment. Commissioner Dorosin asked why the county cannot meet with the owner and market the property. Steve Brantley said the property is outside the sewer/water agreement and has zoning issues. He added that he is limited in what he can sell by what he can show, and the topography is not ideal and houses are now in the areas.