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30 <br />Phil Post made reference to erosion control and said that they have taken <br />into consideration some special drainage requests from citizens who live in that area. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked Craig Benedict about the roadwork that had <br />been done before the County Commissioners approved the subdivision. Craig Benedict <br />said that this has been the practice in the past but it would not be allowed under his <br />direction. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis feels that it is outrageous that roadwork would begin <br />before a subdivision is approved and he is offended by this information. <br />Commissioner Brown asked if the road into the subdivision would be a state <br />maintained road and Craig Benedict said yes. However, if the road were a private road, <br />there would be less destruction of the land. Craig Benedict said that_the requirement for <br />a public road and a private road is a 50-foot wide corridor. He said that there would <br />probably be the same amount of clearing. The only difference is the sloping. <br />Commissioner Brown asked if this project could be built on a private road and <br />Craig Benedict said yes. The subdivision would have to have twice the lot size to justify <br />one of the criteria for a private road. There would have to be increased setbacks and <br />stream buffers, etc. to justify the private road. <br />John Link made reference to page two of the abstract and the <br />recommendation about deferring consideration of the subdivision to pursue additional <br />analysis and review. <br />Commissioner Jacobs suggested that the developers meet with the <br />neighbors and then meet with County staff to see if they can work out some of the <br />problems that have been identified. The developers may also want to consider working <br />with the Dispute Settlement Center. <br />Dr. Diehl asked if their sound expert could speak. <br />Norl Stewart, from Stewart Acoustical Consultants in Raleigh, said that he <br />understands the problems of the neighbors who were there before the highway was <br />there. Also, the sound that reaches them from 1-40 is different according to the level of <br />atmospheric conditions. He said that in order for the citizens to have a fairly perceived <br />difference in the noise level, there must be a change of about five or six decibels. This <br />would require a reduction in sound of two-thirds to three-quarters. Nothing that Dr. Diehl <br />plans to do is going to have very much of an affect on the noise. <br />In answer to a question from Commissioner Brown; Mr. Stewart explained <br />that when the source of the noise is 100-400 feet away, the atmospheric effects are <br />quite strong. He explained how the sound goes up and back down at different times <br />during the day. Anything that is done on the property would only have benefit during <br />limited periods of time when the sound is angled a certain way. He does not think that <br />anything can be done to make a major reduction or increase in the noise in the <br />subdivision. <br />A motion was made by, Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner <br />Halkiotis to table this item to receive further information. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />The issues to be addressed for this item are noise abatement, private vs. <br />public roads, the septic system, the perennial stream that runs through the property, and <br />whether there are any restrictive covenants. Commissioner Halkiotis would like <br />information on a possible penalty package that can be put on this project. <br />Nod Stewart said that he made some measurements tonight at 7:30 in his <br />development area at various locations and on Pine Tree Lane near the intersection of <br />Sunrise Road and it measured 52-54 decibels. Chandlers Green measured 49 decibels