Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
13 <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if, right now, the only eligible use of funds is for new <br /> construction. <br /> Emila Sutton said yes. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said he would advocate for changing the application to include <br /> acquisition and rehab. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said the whole residency issue is tricky and can create legal <br /> issues. He said the developers should be encouraged to market to those who live and work in <br /> Orange County. He said he would encourage more creative thinking on this issue. <br /> Commissioner Greene agreed completely with Commissioner Dorosin about the <br /> residency issue. She said the other point she wanted to make was about the scoring criteria, <br /> and specifically public transportation. She said points were added for developments that had <br /> access to public transportation, or those that would provide transportation. She said she did not <br /> like that option of providing transportation, as it is too vague, and she would like to strike that <br /> and just give points to those projects on public transportation (section 5 of scoring criteria, page <br /> 18) <br /> Chair Rich asked Emila Sutton about this topic. <br /> Commissioner Greene said the BOCC added development provided transportation last <br /> year. She said she would prefer that if the development is not on public transportation then it <br /> does not get the points. <br /> Commissioner Greene moved to take language out for transportation being provided by <br /> the developer. She said this should not earn transportation points. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked, if the verbiage is taken out, would it not eliminate <br /> developments being built beyond the bounds of public transportation. <br /> Commissioner Greene said no, as the transportation points are just one area of points. <br /> She said a development could get points for other things. <br /> Commissioner McKee said between two close projects, it may make the difference. <br /> Commissioner Greene said it may well be the tipping point, but she feels the project on <br /> public transit should get the money. <br /> Commissioner McKee said it is hard to argue against her point, but he does not want to <br /> centralize affordable housing in urban corridors. <br /> Commissioner Greene said this is a policy difference between her and Commissioner <br /> McKee, and she would like public monies to be used to support development that serves the <br /> most people in an environmentally friendly way. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he understands that, but also feels the BOCC has an <br /> obligation to support geographical diversity in affordable housing. <br /> Commissioner Greene said the BOCC is talking about creating scoring criteria for <br /> limited funding. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos said there will soon be an on demand transportation that will <br /> go throughout the County, and this should be recognized and addressed somehow in the <br /> scoring. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos said every resident was able to vote on this bond, and the <br /> BOCC needs to envision some projects in the rural areas. He said there may be a <br /> development that has a community garden component, which could only be done in a rural <br /> setting, and this helps the environment as well. He said there should be opportunity for <br /> affordable housing everywhere. <br /> Commissioner Greene said she is not opposed to re-writing the verbiage to add the on <br /> demand transportation. <br /> Commissioner Price said she had concerns about taking the verbiage out, and there is <br /> room for a lot of creativity. <br />