Agenda - 04-06-2021; 8-a - Minutes

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9 1 Cy Stober said the green areas are immediately actionable for economic development. 2 He said the growth areas A-E are not immediately actionable, but have potential for growth. 3 Jesse Day said the areas west of A and B are already in the city's Comprehensive Land 4 Development Plan. 5 Craig Benedict, Orange County Planning Director, said these areas are also in the 6 county's economic development district (EDD). He said this is about 140 acres, and is where 7 the Buckhorn flea market is located. 8 Commissioner Fowler said A-E are further in the future, as compared to the light green 9 areas. She asked if there is a next step 10 Cy Stober said the city may put municipal utilities in area A, or it can do the same as 11 what Medline did. He said these areas are deficient in being immediately accessible, unlike the 12 teal properties. He said the two properties east of the middle school are not in the city's future 13 growth area, and would not be addressed in the Comprehensive Area Plan. He said the one in 14 C is. 15 Commissioner Fowler asked if there is a plan to address recreational areas, walking 16 trails, sidewalks, etc. 17 Jesse Day said a site plan would be necessary. He said the state would determine the 18 best way for trails to go through to connect with other trails 19 Commissioner McKee asked for the two properties to be noted on the map by staff. He 20 said he wanted to highlight properties that are already built out or will be built out, in addition to 21 Medline. 22 Cy Stober said the Nair property was annexed and rezoned by the city. 23 Commissioner Hamilton expressed appreciation for the City of Mebane holding off with 24 its approval process so that the Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC) could see the 25 plan. She said the study was a technical study, showing which lands could be developed, but is 26 missing the impacts to the community. She said she wants to consider the costs to the 27 community, not just the benefits. She said she would like to see sustainability and the 28 environment reflected in the Buckhorn Area Plan. She said residents have expressed concerns 29 about the full costs and benefits of going forward. She said everyone wants the best for the city 30 and the county. 31 Tim Bradley, Mebane City Council, said when he first heard the plan, he thought it was a 32 joint study with Orange County and reflected the long-range plan for Orange County. He said 33 when the city held its public hearing, it realized the county had not given input. He said the city 34 wants to work together to make plans that align with each entity's needs. 35 Chair Price asked if Mebane is seeking to be involved in economic development in 36 properties adjacent to the city. She asked if there are property owners in these areas interested 37 in selling. 38 Tim Bradley said there is some interest in Area A. He said both Mebane and Orange 39 County have extended utility infrastructure, which helps people plan for the future. He said the 40 city is ready for the next person who comes forward with land they wish to develop in the area. 41 Chair Price asked if the boundaries in the Buckhorn Area Plan are consistent with the 42 Buckhorn EDD. 43 Craig Benedict said some parts of the B, C, D, and E are outside of the EDD. He said 44 the process is to do a study, and then take action based on the study. He said Morinaga is one 45 example of this happening in the past. 46 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the city desires to have the parcels be contiguous, and is 47 that a factor for prioritizing certain parcels. He said the Orange County Comprehensive Plan will 48 expire in 2030, and asked if there is a schedule for the next comprehensive plan. 49 Mayor Ed Hooks said there is no intent to start at the city limits and move forward. He 50 said the City was asked to provide water and sewer, and future growth will be hopscotched due