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23 <br /> From: lbs ru <br /> To: Buckhorn Study;ocbocc(damail.com <br /> Cc: voice4efland(d)amail.com <br /> Subject: [EXTERNAL MAIL!]Questions and Comment by Tim Spruill about BAP <br /> Date: Monday,May 17,20215:21:42 PM <br /> 1. The Buckhom Area Plan includes the area between 140/85 and West 10 Rd and Buckhorn <br /> Rd and Mt Willing Rd in Orange County. What is the maximum impervious surface area <br /> allowed by Orange County for this area, which is in the Upper Eno Protected Watershed? The <br /> State Law says 30%, even though most research has found that 10% is the maximum <br /> impervious surface allowed before the stream ecosystem and water quality degrades. Why <br /> would Orange County Planning Department allow more than 10% impervious surface <br /> development in a protected watershed in view of this research if it cares for the welfare of its <br /> residents? <br /> 2. Sevenmile Creek and McGowan Creek drain directly into Class 1 reservoirs. While the <br /> BAP is located in an area with obvious benefits to an industrial park, it is also located in an <br /> area that is critical to providing clean drinking water to residents of Hillsborough that will be <br /> adversely impacted with extensive industrial use development and impervious surfaces. These <br /> impacts include increased sediment and other non-point source contaminant loads, as well as <br /> significant impact on the underlying shallow aquifer by reducing baseflow to Sevenmile Creek <br /> (reducing flows during dry periods and more importantly, during extended droughts). What, <br /> specifically, is being done to prevent or mitigate these impacts? <br /> 3. Focus area A is located in an area that was originally proposed as the Buckhom Economic <br /> Development Zone. Focus area B is not and was recently added, clearly in hopes of increasing <br /> the money making machine for the County and City of Mebane. All with no discussion with <br /> Orange County Commissioners or County residents. There are already families living in Focus <br /> Area A. Focus Area B is zoned rural residential and already has residents. Gravelly Hill <br /> School will be situated in the middle of manufacturing and warehouse facilities, if the <br /> Buckhorn Area Plan is carried out. One such massive facility, Medline, is already located <br /> immediately to the west of the school. The entire development will be in the headwaters of <br /> two streams that provide public water supplies and in an area that has high quality water, <br /> wildlife, and wooded wetlands that will be severely impacted if carried out as presented. The <br /> BAP, as presented, will essentially obliterate the rural buffer between Mebane and <br /> Hillsborough and essentially ignore the intentions of the Efland-Mebane Small Area Plan to <br /> retain the rural character of the County. The existing "plan"is no such thing. <br /> The County should rethink the existing BAP by incorporating suggestions and ideas of its <br /> residents before it is presented as a viable plan that deserves endorsement and support from <br /> the Board of County Commissioners. <br /> Sent from the all new AOL app for 10S <br />