Minutes 03-02-2021 Virtual Business Meeting

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4 Fiona Johann read the following statement: I want to start by thanking the commissioners for listening to public comments made about the Buckhorn Area Plan, and setting up a working session with Mebane City Council. I come to you and the public today to share information I have about the Buckhorn Area Plan, as I believe the best plans come from groups of interested and informed parties coming together. To our residents, Orange County and The City of Mebane are working on a plan to extend the economic development district in western Orange County. The first step in doing so was to commission a study of land in the area, this study is known as The Buckhorn Area Plan. It recommends extending the boundaries for industrial development and discourages rural residential growth in favor of light industrial manufacturing. This is a major shift from the long- standing land use plans for economic development, in place by both The City of Mebane and Orange County. I encourage you all to view the 2030 Orange County Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the Mebane by Design Plan and compare it to the proposed Buckhorn Area Plan. This plan will encourage industrial growth around, not only, rural residential housing, but also Gravelly Hill Middle School, local farms, Seven Mile Creek, and the soccer complex. To the commissioners, I ask that you and the Mebane City Council members address at least the following questions during the March 9 working session: 1. How and when will the public be able to engage? When will Orange County Commissioners and Mebane City Council come together to hear from the public on this matter? 2. If you feel you must continue with this area plan I ask you and the council members to consider a binding agreement on a joint area plan instead of the BAP plan as it stands now. The most important aspect of a binding agreement is that Orange County and Mebane City would both need to agree on any rezoning in the area. This means that both Orange County and Mebane City residents would have equal representation and be able to weigh in on changes made to local zoning. To both residents and Commissioners, I want to make clear that I do not oppose development nor do I oppose neighbor's rights to sell their land. I appreciate and respect that we are in need of jobs for our local residents and tax money for our municipalities. Industrial builds will not bring the jobs our community is looking for, it is well known that industrial companies are moving toward automation, not hiring large groups of people. Furthermore, the entire plan seems to serve up land to developers on a silver platter while not addressing those who are currently underserved in our community, helping the 1%, not the majority. I hope that our local governments and community can come together and create a plan that truly would benefit the citizens of the area and both governments. I ask our residents, council members and commissioners to think outside the industrial box and come up with a better plan that helps this area preserve the area's natural feel and supports its residents. Margo Lakin said she is concerned about misleading advice from Planning Department, to increase industrial development. She said the Buckhorn Area Plan will target Seven Mile Creek. She said safe drinking water should be guaranteed for us all, and expressed frustration over the continual rezoning of land. She said Seven Mile Creek is designated as a drinking water source, a paramount reason to protect this gem. She said she gets the impression that some see it as a loophole, and want to degrade this water source by a few levels to achieve development goals. She said it so important to get the facts straight before any more decisions are made, and Orange County turns into Flint, Michigan. She asked that the Commission for