Agenda - 06-01-2021; 7-a - Buckhorn Area Study

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40 Yes, I'm reacting and responding. I care what happens to those in Northern Orange County as well as I care what happens to the decision-makers for Orange County. "Caring" doesn't fix the Planning Dept., but until we care, usually we don't even notice that something needs to be changed. I just want you to know that I know it needs fixing and the sooner the better. Sincerely, Lib Hutchby Chapel Hill to ocboccgorangecount,ync.gov On Sun, May 23, 2021 at 4:19 PM Andrea Riley<ateuteriley44&g_mail.com>wrote: Commissioners, If the Orange County Planning Department believes that the Public outreach meeting that was held on May 17, 2021 was enough to restore the public trust in the Planning Department it is sadly mistaken. The presentation seemed to be another attempt at face-saving after all of the department's repeated lies, obfuscations, misrepresentations,manipulations, and omissions about the Buckhorn Area Plan, a woefully inadequate plan that has recently been retroactively and disingenuously repackaged by the department as a"Study". The information presented at the Outreach Meeting misrepresented the sequence of events that took place regarding the presentation of this plan to the public; it glossed over the fact that there was no meaningful data in the plan regarding environmental, social, or traffic impacts on the area; it omitted the fact that there existed a previous understanding among the BOCC members that there would be no build out or development below (south of) West 10 Road; and it failed to invite a representative from the Mebane Planning Department to participate in the Q &A of the meeting, despite the fact that this plan is a joint plan of Mebane and Orange County. For a more accurate presentation about the Buckhorn Area Plan, see the podcast interview of Janine Zanin on WHUP at htWs://whupfm.org/episode/3-d-news-5-17-21/. Tune in around minute 24:33 to hear Janine explain what the BAP is and outline what the procedural and inherent problems are with this proposal. The directions for participation in the county's Outreach Meeting were vague and confusing to those of us who wanted to contribute. I, for one, could not figure out whether I had a choice between clicking on the "raise hand"button and the Q&A button, or whether I should use both, so I clicked on both. The result was that I was first in line and called on for the first question in my Q & A: this question was read aloud by the moderator; Craig Benedict gave a rambling and vague answer; and then the moderator moved on to the next person who had raised his hand. Neither my second or third question was read nor answered, nor did I have a chance to comment or have another chance to participate. (The Q &A option seemed to be blocked after the meeting started; my three questions are attached.)