Minutes 01-19-2021 Virtual Business Meeting

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21 heard no staff analysis, and prior to the meeting a CfE board member circulated a letter in opposition to the project to all other CfE board members. She said it was not a fair hearing. Beth Trahos said the BOCC has received many requests to turn this proposal down. She said every proposal will have some trades off, as no project is perfect. She said the current zoning will have more negative environmental impacts. She said Efland has less density and less affluent residents than Chapel Hill, and Chapel Hill had to offer large incentives for Wegman's to come. She said Efland cannot make such deals, and the community will suffer while people wait for something perfect. She said Efland residents need opportunities, and more commercial tax base will help the County at large. She urged the BOCC to approve the plan, and looks forward to engaging on the project. Chair Price highlighted a letter in the BOCC packet from the CfE, requesting that this project be denied. She said the Town of Hillsborough has also sent a letter in the past stating concerns over the watershed. Commissioner Dorosin referred to page 2 of the abstract packet, and said there is a note that staff has been inquiring about preserving highway exit 160. He asked if there was a status update on this issue. Craig Benedict, Planning Director, said allowing access points for this project onto the existing exit ramp would require another review process by North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), which cannot happen until there is some adjudication of the application in front of the BOCC. He said this exit is part of federal highway system, so any NCDOR recommendation has to be reviewed by Federal Highway Commission. He said exit 160 east bound will stay as it is, and it is proposed to close the existing exit 160 west bound ramp, and move it to be the same as 161. He said the exits will be named together, with signs showing drivers which way to turn. He said the Federal Highway Commission system will create naming and signage. Commissioner Dorosin asked if this explanation is any different to that which the BOCC has previously been presented. Craig Benedict said no, this information is consistent with what is in the application. Commissioner McKee said he wanted to respond to concerns about the possible relocation of Ben Johnston Road, which would only allow for right turns. He said currently traffic can turn both ways. Beth Trahos the Applicant has heard this concern from residents. She said NCDOT will not allow for full functioning at the current location of Ben Johnston. She said the Applicant thought about relocating Ben Johnston to align with the entrance drive into the Efland Station project, and thus act as a full access. Commissioner McKee asked if further discussion with NCDOT is merited. Beth Trahos said it is her understanding that NCDOT will not allow it, but referred the Engineer Earl Llewellyn, Kimley Horn. Earl Llewellyn recounted his conversation with NCDOT, and the current proximity of Ben Johnston is very close to the 1-40 ramps, and would present operational problems in the future. He said NCDOT asked that the site drive location be shifted farther north so there is better spacing of signals. He said this converted Ben Johnston to right in/right out movements. He said an unsignalized break in the median was explored, but is not possible due to traffic requirements. Commissioner McKee asked if there are other discussions to be had. He said he is concerned about no left turn off of Ben Johnston Road. Stan Beard, Applicant, said he recognizes the concerns from the neighbors. He said he has talked with a property owner, who also has land to the east of the 70 connector. He said the portion of Ben Johnston Road that would be relocated, is on this property owner's land. He said he has spoken with this landowner several times. He said Ben Johnston should be a full