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Draft <br /> 3/24/99 <br /> (from subcommittee) <br /> Acquisition of Land <br /> One method for accumulating funds to purchase land for parks and <br /> recreation is to require new developments to make payments into a <br /> dedicated fund . Under most versions of this system , which is called a <br /> % opayment in IieuA , local governments try to determine the recreational <br /> impact a new development will generate , and on that basis require the <br /> development either to donate land or to make a payment in lieu of making <br /> the donation . <br /> Appendix G indicates the way in which Orange County and Carrboro <br /> calculate this payment. Chapel Hill negotiates based on individual <br /> development proposals ; Hillsborough seeks dedication of land , not <br /> payments in lieu . The attachment also shows the efforts of other selected <br /> jurisdictions in acquiring land . <br /> It has been difficult for the governments to quantify how well the <br /> current system works . Carrboro reports that its fee structure is sufficient <br /> that many developments choose to provide private recreation facilities <br /> rather than making the payment. Similarly , Chapel Hill does not have <br /> detailed central records of what the results of negotiated fees or land <br /> donations has been . Hillsborough does not have details . <br /> Orange County does have a record , since it has required payments <br /> since 1988 , and has accumulated these payments in a fund . The fund has <br /> brought in $ 425 , 000 . <br /> It is clear in a broad . overview, 4 <br /> road . overview, however, that the current system of <br /> land acquisition has been insufficient to meet citizensA needs . Part of the <br /> problem is that, while recreational facilities may be developed privately , <br /> these are not open to the public . Also , small parcels of land that are <br /> donated for public use often end up being of use neither to the public nor <br /> 'to the development itself, since their size and location makes them difficult <br /> to use . <br /> Orange County residents have long enjoyed the private open space <br /> that is provided by agricultural and forestry uses . In particular, residents <br /> have used Duke Forest land for recreational purposes . County <br /> governments , however, have not uniformly kept pace with demand , as <br /> measured by national indicators . <br /> 21 <br />