Agenda - 05-15-2001-9b - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT' MEMORANDUM To: ~ Tina Moon, Land Use and Preservation Planner . From: :Rich Shaw, ERCD Land Conservation Manage - Date: November 30, 2000 Re: Ashvvick Subdivision (Cheeks Township) (TMBL 3.32.A.9 and TMBL 3.31.A.23) Thank you for the opportunity to review a plat the proposed Ashwick Subdivision (dated October 30, 2000). The following comments are intended to address any concerns with respect to impacts ~on natural and :cultural resources, and to identify areas that may desirable for possible dedication to the County for public recreation and open space pursuant to County subdivision regulations. My comments are based on an August 2, 2000 site visit and a review of resource information available for this property, including aerial photography, topographic maps, FEMA floodplain maps and NWI maps. The subject property is located in Efland_ on the north side of US 70 in Cheeks Township. The property is zoned R1 and is within the Upper Eno Watershed. McGowan Creek flows through the northern quarter the property, essentially cutting off about five acres from the majority of the parcel. McGowan Creek is flooded in this area due to the Efland Mill Pond dam located just downstream. There is also a sizable beaver dam, which contributes to flooding of the property. Aside from some periodic downed trees (likely from the May 2000 windstorm) the woodlands are comprised of fairly mature mixed hardwoods, which slope gentry down toward McGowan Creek. A small tributary of McGowan Creek flows through the southern portion of the property in a northeasterly direction. The property slopes fairly gently (2 to 6%) with a narrow band of moderately sloped land (6 to 10%) draining to McGowan Creek. Away from the Creek, the soils are Geo~geville silt /oam~(Ge8 and GeC) and Herndon si/t /oam (Hr8), both quite suitable for residential development. It appears that the proposed lots are well outside of the floodplain and avoid the small area of Lignum soils, which are unsuitable for home sites. The Preliminary Plan shows 4.46 acres located in the northeast corner of the property proposed for dedication to Orange County for "public recreation space." This area is considerably larger than the minimum required dedication of land for recreation and open space. The subdivision regulations call far a minimum of 2.9 acres for a S~-~ snit ~~ ihrfivicinn l1 /7.0 acre for each unit).