Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
5 <br /> Jeremy Edmondson read the following comments: <br /> I am part of Save Hillsborough. I have serious concerns about RTLP. <br /> On Jan 25, 2017, the 12-acre parcel connecting the 2 large economic development lots to Davis <br /> Road, PIN 9862998894, was sold by court order to a local resident for$185,000. From what we <br /> understand, the buyer intended to build several houses on this beautiful wooded lot. However, <br /> the buyer was unable to obtain county approval for that purpose, one reason being that the land <br /> did not "perk" and so would require city water and sewer. The buyer is directly connected to the <br /> current owner and has not been able to develop this land. <br /> We understand also that the RTLP developer has obtained an option agreement for the right to <br /> purchase the Davis Road parcel. The property is currently zoned R-1 with a pending request for <br /> rezoning to support RTLP requirements. <br /> For now, use of this Davis Road property as an "access point" is viewed as critical to the viability <br /> of the RTLP development--because, according to the NCDOT, the existing Service Road is <br /> unsuitable for use by vehicles that would turn left to exit the development toward 1-40. Instead, <br /> the developers would force virtually all RTLP traffic to exit the development onto a small rural <br /> road close to an intersection. Due to the elevation of the land, it is a substantial climb up to <br /> Davis Road from the proposed location of the main warehouses, and the uphill grade will <br /> increase the noise and emissions from 18-wheelers and heavy-duty trucks. Once at the top of <br /> the hill, the same trucks need to run back down the grade to enter the 1-40 on-ramps, creating <br /> additional noise due to engine-braking by the trucks' drivers. <br /> This Davis Road parcel should not be part of the development! Either the usage of the <br /> development needs to be adapted to the available traffic connections to 1-40 or better access <br /> points need to be found to make the economic area viable. Spilling over into a rural residential <br /> area to solve a site traffic problem needlessly pushes the burden to the local residents. Once <br /> city water and sewer are brought to this land on Davis Road it will make a wonderful site for a <br /> business more suited to the area that can bring tax revenue rather than as a traffic corridor for <br /> the current warehouse proposal. The local residents fully support smart development of the <br /> economic development area without using the Davis road lot to push the traffic problems to the <br /> local residents. <br /> Commissioner McKee joined the meeting at 7:37 p.m. <br /> Daniel Arneman read the following comments: <br /> I am part of Save Hillsborough. I have serious questions concerning RTLP. The Environmental <br /> Committee of Save Hillsborough, has identified several environmental impact issues for <br /> consideration by our County Commissioners. While economic development is important to our <br /> region and our communities, it must be done in a way that fits with existing uses and preserves <br /> our natural assets. The 2019 State of the Environment report produced by the Orange County <br /> Commission for the Environment highlights Orange County's ongoing commitment to a healthy <br /> environment, including: a transition to 100% renewable energy county-wide by 2050; <br /> maintaining a Rural Buffer planning zone to limit urban sprawl for over 30 years; actively <br /> supporting local, sustainable agriculture; and reaching the goal of conserving 10% of the <br /> County's land. We do not think this proposed development helps to meet those County goals. <br /> Furthermore, <br /> 1. We would like to start by pointing out that the roadway perpendicular to the proposed <br /> development is a designated NC Scenic Byway and that the proposed development <br />