Agenda - 03-16-2021; 8-a - Minutes

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4 1 land on the southeastern end of West Ten Road is NOT part of the Economic Development 2 District. I've witnessed the construction of Gravelly Hill Middle School, the public soccer fields, 3 the Seven Mile Creek Nature Preserve. The county has consistently articulated a plan for Efland 4 to have a district park, like other parts of the county. When one large park did not come to 5 fruition, a compromise was proposed that Seven Mile Creek Nature Preserve and the Soccer 6 Fields could be joined by walking trails or other pedestrian friendly connectors to serve as one 7 park for Efland. There's been talk of the Mountains to Sea Trail going through this area. Now, 8 instead, our planning department has been proposing to fill the space between these two areas 9 with industrial development, specifically more warehouses and trucking industry. This is a 10 significant and drastic change from the existing plan. And the existing plan was a good one, we 11 don't need to deviate from it, we just need to actually execute it. I, for one, am still waiting for an 12 entrance to Efland's "district park" that's actually in Efland, it's currently open with its only 13 access point in Hillsborough. 14 The voices of the citizens who are actually going to be impacted by this proposed 15 change of plans should be part of this conversation, early in the process. Ironically, (and I hope 16 not deliberately), the Efland Mebane Small Area Task Force is currently listed as "inactive" on 17 the county website just as this area is becoming a focal point for development. The task force 18 should be re-populated and re-instated to allow for meaningful citizen input. 19 Our Future Land Use Map is not a private game of Sim City for Mr. Benedict and a 20 handful of others. It's a public document, that's relied on by the citizens who've elected you. Our 21 voices should be heard early in the process when you are contemplating big changes as you 22 are now. We should be part of the conversation. Instead, our Planning Department is trying to 23 reduce public input to a "political hurdle" or a "technicality" to be checked off because the UDO 24 requires it. I don't accept that and I don't think you do either. 25 26 Jared Cates thanked the BOCC for bringing Medline, ABB, Wegmans, and Piedmont 27 Metals to Orange County, all of whom bring good jobs and contribute to the tax base in Orange 28 County. 29 Andy Cagle spoke about general development of Orange County. He said he is involved 30 in the community in many ways, and read a poem titled "Opportunity and Needs," which spoke 31 of the needs of small town and rural residents who would like to have more opportunities. He 32 asked the Commissioners to meet more of the residents in the rural areas, and learn about their 33 needs. 34 Matt Cartmill ceded his time, and did not provide further comment. 35 Andrea Riley said she is concerned about projects that are proposed that do not fit 36 zoning restrictions, and then the County has to amend the zoning to fit the project. She said 37 she does not see the use of a plan if the plans are continually changed, and not upheld. 38 Fredrick McAdoo asked if the Commissioners have a plan to assist Northern Orange 39 County with participation in virtual meetings. He said the Northern part of the County does not 40 have a lot of broadband signal or cell phone service. He said the Efland community would like 41 to see signs that encourage business. He said the community would like to see opportunities 42 for Commissioners to hear comments from those who are in favor of projects, as well as those 43 who are not. He said he would like to see more participation in decision making from Orange 44 County residents, and asked for more balanced discussions. He said Northern Orange County 45 residents should not feel that they are only important during election times, and asked what can 46 be done to make Orange County itself better for those who have lived here for a long time, and 47 not just the towns. He said businesses that come into Efland should help the County and the 48 schools. 49 50 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda