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68 <br /> many years, and the location is near an interstate interchange. He said his only concern about <br /> the project is the traffic coming onto Davis Road, but the Planning Board did not approve <br /> addressing this. He said he would like to see this issue mitigated, so the project can proceed. <br /> Jim Garland said he owns a fishery next to the proposed project, and he opposes this <br /> project. He said he is concerned about the negative environmental impacts on his land, which <br /> is the source of his livelihood, and the surrounding community, as well as the air pollution <br /> caused by the many large trucks. <br /> Katie Loovis said she is speaking on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce in Chapel Hill, <br /> who is in full support of the proposed project. She said this land was set aside for economic <br /> development 40 years, and it should come as no surprise that development is being proposed. <br /> She said RTLP is a $150 million investment in the County, and will bring many jobs for low- <br /> income residents. She said Davis Road is a state road for public use with a speed limit of 45 <br /> miles per hour, and not some sleepy residential road. She said the claims of negative <br /> environmental impacts are unfair and unfounded. She said the project fully complies with all <br /> legal requirements of the County's noise ordinance. She said there is a developer willing to <br /> invest, and the County should proceed. She implored the Board to approve the project. <br /> Susan Fenwick echoed concerns of previous speakers, and believes this project will be <br /> a warehouse facility, creating a lot of noise and pollution. She said the Board should consider <br /> other development projects that could bring in more tax revenue per square footage, and she is <br /> opposed to RTLP. <br /> Wendy Diehl said she moved to the area four years ago from out of state. She said she <br /> chose Hillsborough out of the entire State, and is very proud to call Hillsborough her home. She <br /> cited research from other communities that embraced projects like RTLP, and concluded that <br /> such projects had negative environmental and health impacts on the community and residents <br /> nearby. She said traffic is also of great concern, and she is opposed to the project. <br /> Nan Fulcher said she understands the desire to end the decades of stagnation in the <br /> EDDs, but it cannot be at the expense of the community. She said the desire to bring in a more <br /> varied tax base has lead to corners being cut and established processes not being followed. <br /> She said the rural buffer was created to determine where and how development occurs, and the <br /> homeowners near this parcel of land should not have to pay the price for the need to make up <br /> for lost time in economic development. She said she is opposed to this project, as it simply <br /> does not fit. <br /> Joshua Ham said he moved to the area a year ago, and prior to that he was a middle <br /> school teacher. He said he has researched the proposed project, and it seems the only real <br /> motivator is the tax base. He said people are more important than money, and he asked the <br /> BOCC to consider all the information and make the most caring decision possible. He said his <br /> land is beautiful, and sits right next to the proposed project's land. He said he is against the <br /> approval of this project. <br /> Jared Jurkiewicz said he is the president of the Winsong Homeowner's Association, a <br /> neighborhood close to the proposed site. He said it is completely unrealistic to think that trucks <br /> will not turn right on Davis Road, and while it is a state road, it is narrow with no sidewalks. He <br /> said families walk on Davis Road all the time, and bicycles use it all the time too. He said the <br /> noise level will also be incredibly disruptive, and seems cruel to the homeowners. <br /> Betty Garland said she is the owner of a small truffle farm near the proposed sites. She <br /> said her orchard was the first to grow truffles in the United States. She said this project will <br /> have extreme negative impacts on the environment, and saying otherwise is simply untrue. She <br /> said her truffles will be contaminated. She said the noise pollution is also of extreme concern. <br /> She said the project does not fit with the community, and she is opposed to it. <br /> Franklin Garland said he is has been in the area since 1973, and a business owner <br /> since 1975. He said he planted his land prior to the BOCC creating the land use plan, and it is a <br />