Minutes 03-09-2021 Virtual Work Session

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11 Jesse Day showed a map of the area in question. Cy Stober said Area B is not addressed in the comprehensive plan, with the exception of the two Medline South properties, which were the stimulus for this entire study. Commissioner Greene asked if there is a limit to Mebane's annexation plans: a line beyond which Mebane will not annex. Tim Bradley said there is not a rule for this, and if there had been, Medline would not have been possible. He said requests are considered on an individual basis. Commissioner Greene said Medline is right near the highway, and is already completed. She said area B does not have water and sewer, and is not in the EDD. She asked if those facts would make a difference to Mebane. Chris Rollins said the proposal in question does have access to water and sewer, along west 10 road. He said the City has been considering including area B in its long-range plan. He said residents in C, D, and E expressed great concern, and the City removed those from consideration. He said there are many developers interested in area B. Commissioner Greene asked if area E is not of interest due to the difficulty of installing water and sewer. Chris Rollins said there are no active developers interested in Area E, thus there is not a reason to consider that area at this time. Patty Philipps said she is glad this conversation is taking place. She said residents in this area cannot vote in the City of Mebane, but she is interested in their needs as they are neighbors. She said she supports healthy development that improves the quality of life. She said there are many details that need to be ironed out, but there is not a lot time to make decisions. She said some planning will need to be expedited. Commissioner Bedford asked for clarification on Areas C and D. Chris Rollins said the City is not actively talking to any developers for areas C and D. Commissioner Bedford said there has not been a formal presentation to the BOCC, so it needs more time to consider the proposal. She said the more residential development that occurs; the more push back there will be against commercial development in areas C and D. She said she is concerned about the environmental concerns in Area D. She said areas B and C have more areas that are safer to develop. She said Area E already has sewer infrastructure, and a reserve of sewer capacity should be made in this area. She said given the middle school, maybe area C would be good for residential development. She said as residential growth continues, the County may ask the City to help identify an elementary school site. Sean Ewing asked for the city and the county to have urgent dialogue to find a way forward. He said a comprehensive plan will take too long. Commissioner McKee said he appreciates the discussion with the city, and said it is a bit overdue. He said the county went to Mebane for water and sewer for partnerships in order to secure Morinaga. He said several years ago, the county and city did not realize the development interest that would be coming. He said this interest has grown, and changed the perception of Orange County as being anti-business. He said the railroad and two major interstates are bound to attract attention. Chair Price asked if Mebane would consider low-impact residential or mixed use development in area C or D. Chris Rollins said it is hard to answer and depends on sewer system. He said this area is on the far end of the sewer system, and housing uses much more sewer capacity than industry. Commissioner Greene said she also greatly appreciated this conversation. She said she wants to come to an agreement on overlapping lines, so residents have some certainty that areas beyond that line will not be considered for development.