Agenda - 05-29-2001 - 4a - Laserfiche WebLink

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o~5a l May 2001 Mr. Craig Benedict P,O. Box 81$1 Orange County Planning Hillsborough, NC 27278 Deaz Mr, Benedict, You may recall that I recently submitted an application far a Class A Special Use Permit to enable me to open athree-bedroom bed and breakfast in Rougemont, N,C. Specifically, the Dr, Arch Jordan House, located in the Caldwell community, will become The Olive Branch Inn pending approval of my application. ' I am writing to request a waiver of land use buffer requirements as is outlined irl Article 12, Section 8 of the Ordinance. I believe placing trees along Highway 57 in front of my business will present a siguificant traffic hazard. A tree buffer is already in place along Highway 57 on the northeast side of the driveway. Care is needed currently when exiting my driveway because of this tree,frontage. To duplicate such a tree~line along the southwest corridor abutting Highway 57 would provide even greater risk due to the topography of the site. Vehicles approaching my business from that direction, i.e, Hillsborough, emerge in front of the house just after rounding a curve and climbing a hill. The posted speed limit is 55 mph. Visibility for drivers leaving my business, as well as those coming from Hillsborough, will be greatly impaired if such a tree line is established along that corridor. Additionally, the Dr. Arch Jordan House, as well as the 47.17 acres of farrriland, were listed on the National Register of Historic Homes by the Department of the Tnterior in August, 199$. , In Article 12, Section 1 of the landscaping and buffer ordinance the Intent reads "to protect, preserve and promote the visual appeal, character and value of the surrounding neighborhood and properties". I wager that the Department of the Interior would agree that we should be protecting, preserving, and promoting the visual appeal, chazacter and value of the Dr, Arch Jordan House and its historic boundaries by not adding unnecessary vegetation. I believe that the Caldwell community is proud of this historic site in its community. To provide a visual screening ar barrier to the house would serve no purpose other than hiding a beautiful historic home from the public eye and, consequently, hurting my pending business which is dependent upon highway viewing. My hope is that you will agree that the strict adherence to Article 12, Landscaping and Buffer Requirements, would serve no useful purpose in this particular application. Traffic may be adversely impacted and the historic Dr. Arch Jordan House and surrounding land would be forever changed if trees were added along this corridor. I respectfully ask that you waive these requirements. - • Sincerely, r Elizabeth P. Davidson Hame/Land Owner T_ A __t_ T__~___ TT____~ 43