Orange County NC Website
11 <br /> 1 Commissioner Greene asked if area E is not of interest due to the difficulty of installing <br /> 2 water and sewer. <br /> 3 Chris Rollins said there are no active developers interested in Area E, thus there is not a <br /> 4 reason to consider that area at this time. <br /> 5 Patty Philipps said she is glad this conversation is taking place. She said residents in <br /> 6 this area cannot vote in the City of Mebane, but she is interested in their needs as they are <br /> 7 neighbors. She said she supports healthy development that improves the quality of life. She <br /> 8 said there are many details that need to be ironed out, but there is not a lot time to make <br /> 9 decisions. She said some planning will need to be expedited. <br /> 10 Commissioner Bedford asked for clarification on Areas C and D. <br /> 11 Chris Rollins said the City is not actively talking to any developers for areas C and D. <br /> 12 Commissioner Bedford said there has not been a formal presentation to the BOCC, so it <br /> 13 needs more time to consider the proposal. She said the more residential development that <br /> 14 occurs; the more push back there will be against commercial development in areas C and D. <br /> 15 She said she is concerned about the environmental concerns in Area D. She said areas B and <br /> 16 C have more areas that are safer to develop. She said Area E already has sewer infrastructure, <br /> 17 and a reserve of sewer capacity should be made in this area. She said given the middle school, <br /> 18 maybe area C would be good for residential development. She said as residential growth <br /> 19 continues, the County may ask the City to help identify an elementary school site. <br /> 20 Sean Ewing asked for the city and the county to have urgent dialogue to find a way <br /> 21 forward. He said a comprehensive plan will take too long. <br /> 22 Commissioner McKee said he appreciates the discussion with the city, and said it is a bit <br /> 23 overdue. He said the county went to Mebane for water and sewer for partnerships in order to <br /> 24 secure Morinaga. He said several years ago, the county and city did not realize the <br /> 25 development interest that would be coming. He said this interest has grown, and changed the <br /> 26 perception of Orange County as being anti-business. He said the railroad and two major <br /> 27 interstates are bound to attract attention. <br /> 28 Chair Price asked if Mebane would consider low-impact residential or mixed use <br /> 29 development in area C or D. <br /> 30 Chris Rollins said it is hard to answer and depends on sewer system. He said this area <br /> 31 is on the far end of the sewer system, and housing uses much more sewer capacity than <br /> 32 industry. <br /> 33 Commissioner Greene said she also greatly appreciated this conversation. She said <br /> 34 she wants to come to an agreement on overlapping lines, so residents have some certainty that <br /> 35 areas beyond that line will not be considered for development. <br /> 36 Tim Bradley agreed with Commissioner Greene. He said things happen fast, and <br /> 37 Mebane needs to have the plans in place soon, so it can respond. <br /> 38 Jill Auditori agreed with Tim Bradley, and wants to move forward together, recognizing <br /> 39 the need for flexibility. <br /> 40 Mayor Hooks said the relationship between the city and the county has been a good one <br /> 41 in previous partnerships. He said there is good communication between both planning <br /> 42 departments. <br /> 43 Chair Price said she appreciated the conversation, and the two groups will meet again. <br /> 44 She said staff will set up times for future meetings. <br /> 45 Mayor Hooks agreed, and thanked everyone for the meeting. <br /> 46 <br /> 47 A motion was made by Everette Greene, seconded by Tim Bradley, to adjourn the City <br /> 48 Council meeting at 8:27 p.m. <br /> 49 <br /> 50 Roll call of the city council ensued <br /> 51 <br />