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1 May 2001 <br />Mr. Craig Benedict <br />P.O. Box 8181 <br />Orange County Planning <br />Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br />Dear Mr. Benedict, <br />You may recall that I recently submitted an application for a Class A Special Use Permit to <br />enable me to open athree-bedroom bed and breakfast in Rougemont, N.C. Specifically, the Dr. <br />Arch Jordan House, located in the Caldwell community, will become The Olive Branch Inn <br />pending approval of my application. <br />I am writing to request a waiver of land use buffer requirements as is outlined in Article 12, <br />Section 8 of the Ordinance. I believe placing trees along Highway 57 in front of my business <br />will present a significant traffic hazard. A tree buffer is already in place along Highway 57 on <br />the northeast side of the driveway. Care is needed currently when exiting my driveway because <br />of this tree frontage. To duplicate such a tree line along the southwest corridor abutting <br />Highway 57 would provide even greater risk due to the topography of the site. Vehicles <br />approaching my business from that direction, i.e. Hillsborough, emerge in front of the house just <br />after rounding a curve and climbing a hill. The posted speed limit is 55 mph Visibility for <br />drivers leaving my business, as well as those coming from Hillsborough, will be greatly impaired <br />if such a tree line is established along that corridor. <br />Additionally, the Dr. Arch Jordan House, as well as the 47.17 acres of farmland, were listed on <br />the National Register of Historic Homes by the Department of the Interior in August, l 998. In <br />Article 12, Section 1 of the landscaping and buffer ordinance the Intent reads "to protect, <br />preserve and promote the visual appeal, character and value ofthe surrounding neighborhood <br />and properties".~ I wager that the Department of the Itterior would agree that we should be <br />protecting, preserving, and promoting the visual appeal, character and value of the Dr. Arch <br />Jordan House and its historic boundaries by not adding unnecessary vegetation. I believe that <br />the Caldwell community is proud of this historic site in its community. To provide a visual <br />screening or barrier to the house would serve no purpose other than hiding a beautiful historic <br />home from the public eye and, consequently, hurting my pending business which is dependent <br />upon highway viewing. <br />My hope is that you will agree that the strict adherence to Article 12, Landscaping and Buffer <br />Requirements, would serve no useful purpose in this particular application. Traffic may be <br />adversely impacted and the historic Dr. Arch Jordan House and surrounding land would be <br />forever changed if trees were added along this corridor. I respectfully ask that you waive these <br />requirements. <br />Sincerely, <br />Elizabeth P. Davidson <br />Home/I_and Owner <br />Dr_ Arrh _1nrr~an HnI1cP <br />