Minutes 09-15-2020 Virtual Business Meeting

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75 find a solution to this problem. He asked if the following questions could be answered: (1) what options have been considered to address this problem; (2) the property abuts the service road, and it seems the property can accommodate any necessary widening of the service road; (3) in the multitude of options that have been considered, there is a road that runs along the Duke Power easement, and he asked if there was any consideration of using that road as a second access to 86. Commissioner Dorosin said creativity is needed to find a way to avoid Davis road. Michael Birch expressed appreciation for Commissioner Dorosin thinking creatively to address the Davis Road issue. He said Duke Energy prohibits public roadways in their easements. Michael Birch said the Applicant considered extending the service road to the south and coming out further south on old 86, but this option requires use of someone else's property. He said the Applicant has made numerous offers on properties to gain access to old 86. Michael Birch said the property has frontage to the service road, but not near the access to old 86. He displayed an aerial photo fro m the PowerPoint presentation. He said the Applicant needs 60 feet of public right away, one way or another, to allow for a signalized intersection on old 86. Michael Birch said there is a good nineteen months between a rezoning approval and getting a building open. He said the Applicant can work with the County and the State to acquire the right away during this time. He said the Applicant has proposed a condition that allows work to proceed, while working on the access issue. He said if the project cannot proceed without the access issue determined, it is tantamount to a denial. Chair Rich said she drove both the service road and Davis Road last week, and observed the service road. She said it is beautiful piece of property, and it is so strategically located to highway 40. She said it seems ridiculous that this cannot be worked out. Chair Rich said the Applicant has referred to the County and the State being able to help, and asked if what the Applicant is really talking about is condemning land. Michael Birch said yes, and it would also have benefits for others in the area. Chair Rich said it is important to be clear about this detail. She said the State has to take the land or the County would have to condemn the land. She asked if the land was condemned, would the Applicant still be rezoning the 12 acres on Davis Road to allow truck access. Michael Birch said the 12 acres would still be part of the project, but the truck access would not be on Davis Road. Chair Rich said it is just mind-boggling. She said it is a perfect property for economic development, but Davis Road is the concern. Chair Rich said Davis Road has 45 miles per hour speed limit. She said when she visited the property, she drove the speed limit, and other cars were passing her. Chair Rich said a living wage is very important in any economic development in Orange County. She said the current living wage is $15/hour, and this is the source of the concern about the types of jobs that are offered. She said the living wage is likely to go up soon. Chair Rich said she would like to know what a typical day on the site would look like. Michael Birch said a typical day at this development would not look much different than a general office type environment. He said the 7:00 a.m. range would involve people arriving, a typical amount leaving at lunch, and again at the end of the day. He said there may be some businesses with shift work. Chair Rich referred to page 45 in the original agenda, and asked the Applicant to clarify the floor plan, and if it is consistent with the TIA. Michael Birch said the .65 floor area ratio (FAR) is what is typically allowed in the MPDCZ district. He said the Applicant is proposing the .32 FAR, which is what the traffic impact