Agenda - 08-21-2001-9a - Laserfiche WebLink

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(5) The applicant shall obtain a NCDOT Driveway Permit prior to commencing operation. RESPONSE: This is reasonable and acceptable. I have already spoken with Mr. Derrick Dixon, Driveway Permit Agent, NDCOT. The appropriate forms are being sent to me for completion. (6) The sign, if illuminated shall use solar powered, ground lighting. Landscaping shall be installed around the base of the sign. RESPONSE: I am unsure of the efficacy of solar powered, ground lighting for illumination of a sign. My only experience with solar powered lighting is for landscaping purposes, i.e. lighting a pathway. I am concerned that such lighting will not sufficiently illuminate to allow reading of a sign I will investigate such use and would like to address my findings with the Planning Board prior to the August 21, 2001 quarterly meeting of the BUCC. Energy conservation makes good sense. If such lighting works, T will gladly install it. (7) The applicant shall dedicate the property within the right-of--way and the small portion on the eastern side of the right-of--way to NCDOT or Orange County prior to commencing operation. RESPONSE:' This i$ unreasonable and unacceptable. I was just notified, in writing, of this recommendation on Friday, May 25, 2001, in a letter from Planning dated May 23, 2001. Giving up approximately 1.15 acres of family/historic land to NCDOT or Orange County without compensation nor explanation of reason is both offensive and improper. I have owned this 47.17 tract of family land for five yeazs and have been paying County taxes on that 1.17 acres upon which Highway 57 sits. Additionally, Highway 57 was constructed around 1935 when my grandparents owned the farm. They, too, paid taxes on that 1.17 acres. In the intervening years, my mother paid County taxes on the same land. Approximately 0.25 acres of family land.sits on the eastern portion of Highway 57, across the highway from the house. The County is also requesting that I give that portion, as well. Standard planning practice is not sufficient to answer why my small three-guestroom BBrB should forsake 1.17 acres of very valuable land without campensation nor adequate explanation. My understandrng is that the origin of such right-of--way requests carne when new subdivisions created an intensification of traffic pattern, thus oftentimes requiring a new turning lane. In such application, I can understand right-of--way being an issue. The NCDOT has already documented (see Page 41 of OCBOCC and PB Public Hearing Agenda Item Abstract) average daily traffic numbers as required by SUP-A-1-01. Clearly, such correspondence with NCDOT should include any discussion of right-of--way at that time, if it is indeed an issue. D. Chad Kimes, District Engineer, NCDOT, wrote the ADT letter. I am waiting for a return call from him indicating whether my business will adversely impact traffic along Highway 57.