Minutes 01-19-2021 Virtual Business Meeting

Browse Search

23 employees are asked to eat lunch, and then hustle back to work. He said a required 45-minute lunch would be unpaid, and the desire is for employees to be paid. Commissioner McKee said he understands this will be hard work, and is not an easy job. He said he appreciated the clarifications. Chair Price asked if there could be clarification offered about the impact of fuel tanks on the watershed, Hillsborough's water supply and on those people who use wells. She said she understands the technology is modern, but asked if an earthquake were to happen, would there be an impact on the water supply. Beth Trahos said Hillsborough gets its water from West Fork Eno Reservoir, which is upstream from where the site drains. She said the same is true for the intakes for Orange Alamance water system. Craig Benedict said this project would flow into Seven Mile Creek, which flows into the Eno River, which flows into the Lake Ben Johnston reservoir. He said this reservoir is relatively small, but is the intake for the Hillsborough water supply. He said the West Fork of the Eno and Lake Orange do flow into Eno River, and go downstream and are picked up at Lake Ben Johnston. He said in between Lake Orange and West Fork of the Eno is Corporation Lake, which is the intake for the Orange/Alamance water supply. He said it is true that the site does not flow into Seven Mile Creek, but it does flow into Lake Ben Johnston, which flows into a water supply. Jason Harris, with Applicant, explained safeguards against vehicle damage and corrosive decay. He said he does not know what would happen in an earthquake. He said the tanks are tested and purposely built to be stronger than the stress that is put on them. He said there are systems in place to address the more common problems that may arise, such as piping problems. He said if a fuel alarm sounds at any point, the system shuts down. He said there may be some release, but not an entire tank rupture. Chair Price requested more information on water usage, does this site fall within the typical Buc-ee's range or below. Kelsey Hall said the numbers are similar to other Buc-ee's. Chair Price asked if Mebane can meet the water estimates, and is there capacity for the sewer system in Mebane. Craig Benedict said this project would use 9-15% of remaining available capacity in Mebane. He said Orange Alamance water system would also use 15% of available capacity. He said staff double-checked with partner engineers and County engineers, and these numbers are found to be credible. Chair Price asked for clarification about changes to the road system. She clarified that it is not yet certain that the Federal Highway Commissioner will approve the exit 160/161 or the Ben Johnston Road recommendations. Earl Lewellyn said this is a process, and several levels of approval are needed from NCDOT along the way. He said it is his impression that NCDOT does not see a problem with granting the changes to Ben Johnston Road plans. He said there have been preliminary discussions with the Federal Highway System, and they also do not see a problem with approving the changes related to exit 160. Michael Harvey clarified that if there are changes to the plans, the Applicant may have to come back for approval again by the BOCC. He said NCDOT needs some level of approval from local government before it will do a full review, which may require another approval. He said the Applicant is aware of this, and it is a bit of a chicken and egg situation. Commissioner Dorosin said this is a challenging issue. He said he has heard from opponents and proponents. He said there have been allegations of misrepresentations, which has been disheartening. He said even the opponents acknowledge that this property will be developed. He said the amenity the County has to offer is access to the highway, and the