Minutes 09-15-2020 Virtual Business Meeting

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74 Commissioner Price said the only vehicles that people are considering are large trucks because it is a logistics park and warehousing. Michael Birch said it is more likely to be Amazon type delivery van. Commissioner Price said since the exact tenants are not known, it is difficult to predict what will happen. Commissioner Price asked if this facility would be a 24-hour facility. She said people work all shifts and products move 24 hours a day, in this day and age. Michael Birch said it is possible for a user to have a 24-hour operation. He said the type of projects that are used to generate trip generation numbers included 24-hour operation businesses. Commissioner Price asked if was safe to assume shift work. Michael Birch said not necessarily, and he could understand the frustration regarding the uncertainty of the tenants/users, but in working with NCDOT through the scoping process, he is confident in the likely trip characteristics. Commissioner Price said this seems like a "build it and they will come" model, which is confusing. She said a lot of the constituents are concerned about these unknowns. Michael Birch said there will be multiple users with different traffic patterns, which will reduce the peak traffic impact. He said one single user would have one specific traffic pattern. Commissioner Price said the Eno River Association said there would be an environmental impact, but the Applicant's analyst said no. She asked if there could be clarification. Chris Bostic said he has looked specifically at several things related to the property. He said the concerns are related to habitat and quality of water. He said the project would be very upland, and there will be 25% open space with this project that will be undisturbed. He said this area will include the tributary to Cates Creek. He said much of the land has been clear-cut already. Commissioner Price said there seems to be conflicting opinions. Chris Bostic said the project will include one small creek crossing. Commissioner Price asked if more trees will be cut down to the west. Chris Bostic said it was clear-cut in the past, and some trees have regrown over the past 20 years, which will be cut. Commissioner Price said 20 years of growth is still significant. Commissioner Price asked what data is being used to analyze the number of jobs that are needed in Orange County. She said the County desires to have jobs that will lead to more, or the next step in a career, and works with Durham Tech to elevate people. She wonders why the Applicant thinks the County needs 1000 jobs for people with less than a high school education. Michael Birch said he is not sure about the statement about less than a high school education, as it did not come from the Applicant. He said the Applicant has already been in touch with Durham Tech, and these jobs are not dead end jobs. Commissioner Price said those were her words. Michel Birch said there are many meaningful jobs that will require training. He said the Applicant reached out to Durham Tech because of the important relationship that could be built. He said this logistic park would have a huge need for educate people. Commissioner Price asked if the Applicant source its job data from a particular place. Michael Birch said the Applicant worked with Orange County Economic Development to understand what kind of jobs are wanted and needed. Commissioner Dorosin said he understands the area was designated for Economic Development years ago, and he is encouraged that the public recognizes this need and plan. He said it is also important to recognize that Orange County has the access to the highway. He said the concern is traffic going onto Davis Road, and the way for this project to succeed was to