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-r <br />~~~ <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT <br />MEMORANDUM <br />To: Craig Benedict, P/arming Director <br />From: David Stancil, ERCDirector <br />Rich Shaw, Land Conservation Manager <br />Margaret Jones, Resource Conservation Technician <br />Date: February 12, 2001 <br />Subject: "The Preserve" Subdivision <br />Our staff has completed an evaluation of the property proposed for dedication to <br />Orange County for parkland and open space by the developers of "The Preserve" <br />subdivision (Hillsborough Township). The evaluation is based on two site visits <br />(January 26 and February 5, 2001) and a review of resource information available <br />for this property, including aerial photography, topographic maps, FFMA floodplain <br />data and National Wetland Inventory maps. <br />The subject property includes three parcels (total 200 acres) referenced on the <br />Master Plan (9/11/00) as #11 (176.89 acres),#12 (12.44 acres), and #13 (iD.76 <br />acres). Another 1.74-acre parcel (#12B) is also shown on the Plan as "dedicated <br />open space," but we presume that area would serve as a buffer between the <br />residential development and the Quaker Cemetery and would not be dedicated to <br />the County. <br />Parcel #11..(177 acres <br />This large parcel is located in the far northern section of the proposed subdivision. <br />Access to the parcel is from the south side of Phelps Road from which an <br />unimproved roadway cut has been created along the proposed alignment of the <br />future "Pathway Parkway." The entire parcel is wooded except for the northern <br />entrance where trees were recently harvested (clear-cut), creating an open area <br />approximately 250 feet wide and 2,000 feet long. The linear entranceway has <br />Lignum soils, which have limited use due to wetness and slow permeability-low <br />potential for urban uses; medium potential for most forms of recreation. A 40-foot <br />buffer of trees (pines) was retained along Phelps Road, and wooded bufFers remain <br />along the eastern property boundary. <br />Remnants of an old roadway or cart path were observed along the eastern boundary <br />of this open entranceway. Sections of this path are lined with mature trees and <br />