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10 <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> On August 7, 2020 a Zoning Atlas Amendment application was received proposing to rezone 2 <br /> parcels, further identified utilizing Orange County Parcel Identification Numbers (PIN) 9854-16- <br /> 1576 and 9854-36-3711. Specifically, Buc-ee's Limited is seeking to rezone 2 parcels totaling <br /> approximately 104 acres to Master Plan Development Conditional Zoning (MPD-CZ) district. As <br /> indicated herein, due to the size of the application, it is available electronically on the County <br /> website at: https://www.orangecountync.gov/1722/Current-Interest-Projects. This was a <br /> continuation of the public hearing on the application from December 15, 2020. <br /> Chair Price read the following: the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) received the <br /> Planning Board/staff recommendation and opened the public hearing at the December 15tn <br /> meeting. The Board continued the public hearing on January 5, 2021, received public <br /> comments, and recessed the public hearing until January 12, 2021. The Board is asked to <br /> reconvene the continued public hearing, receive public comments, and then close the public <br /> hearing. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board: <br /> 1. Reconvene the continued public hearing; <br /> 2. Hear from the scheduled speakers; <br /> 3. Close the public hearing; and <br /> 4. Remind the public that anyone may continue to provide written comments to all <br /> Board members by sending an email to ocbocc@orangecountync.gov <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner McKee <br /> to reconvene the continued public hearing from December 15, 2020 and January 5, 2020 and <br /> open the floor for public comment. <br /> Roll call ensued. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> Rachel Heller said she is a 27 year resident of Orange County, and strongly opposes the <br /> proposed rezoning for the Buc-ee's project. She said it offers nothing to meet community <br /> needs, and would create air, water and 24/7 light and noise pollution, taking Orange County in <br /> exactly the wrong direction. She said a fossil fuel based, car centric, economic model work will <br /> not work, and the County must focus on a sustainable model. She said she is shocked that this <br /> proposal has gotten this far. She said the BOCC adopted a resolution to transition to renewable <br /> energy by 2050, and must keep this promise. She said she does not understand how the <br /> County can even consider this proposal without an impact study. She said the project will use <br /> so much water, and she wonders if the County will have to fight for water with Buc-ee's. She <br /> said she is very concerned about the inevitable traffic complications, of which Buc-ee's has a <br /> history. She said Buc-ee's also has a history of indentured servitude jobs, with very poor <br /> conditions for its workers including a "moment" break. She said this seems illegal. <br /> Kevin Brooks said he is the current chief of Efland Volunteer Fire Department. He said <br /> the Efland Fire Department does not endorse candidates, projects, or any other issues. He <br /> said, as the chief, he wrote a letter expressing his support of the Buc-ee's project, which <br /> remains true. He said he wanted to address some of the things that have been said about the <br /> Efland Fire Department, including the alleged acceptance of a $30,000 bribe, which is <br /> absolutely horse hockey, and plain not true. He said if the Buc-ee's proceeds, the fire <br />