Agenda - 09-02-2021; 8-a - Minutes

Browse Search

21 1 Commissioner McKee said several different boards approved and reapproved a plan. 2 He said a bond was approved by the voters for economic development, which encompassed 3 economic development. He said refusing to explore other areas will create a gated community, 4 and the County will just sit where it is. He said there are several hundred acres, but every acre 5 is not developable. He said the majority of Orange County's taxes come from residential taxes, 6 and people cannot afford the taxes they are paying. He said if the BOCC does not explore 7 other options than residential, Orange County will become a gentrified bedroom community to 8 the Triangle. He said he is open to exploring areas A and B, and wants to look at projects as 9 they come forward in a reasonable manner. 10 Chair Price agreed with delaying development of Area B, look at other lavender areas 11 along 85/40, remove designation of Preston Loop, and work towards community engagement. 12 She said she would like to look more closely at Area A, and who is living there. She said it is 13 worth looking at developing area A, in conjunction with the community. 14 Commissioner Hamilton said she is going to Area A and meeting with someone who 15 lives there. She said folks want to develop. She said Orange County is a County that talks 16 about institutional racism, and back in the 1980s, marginalized communities may not have had a 17 voice when these plans were being made. She said it is vital that the BOCC hears from them, 18 and be sure that they get a fair price for their land and not be taken advantage of. She said she 19 would like to hold back one year for water and sewer, as the development possibilities are 20 driven by access to water and sewer. She said it is important to remember that there are 21 people who have not had a voice, and the BOCC has to be deliberate. She said she supports a 22 process to make sure that everyone gets heard. 23 Commissioner Fowler said she agreed with getting more input from people in Area A. 24 She said the BOCC hands are tied in Area B, unless it plans to change WASMPBA. She said 25 people should be aware that Mebane is looking at that area. She asked if anyone on the BOCC 26 has talked to Mebane. She said residents should be aware of the risk. 27 Commissioner Greene said in preferring to keep Area B out of commercial development, 28 she would hope Mebane could be persuaded to do the same. 29 Chair Price reviewed the direction from the Commissioners. She said in terms of Area 30 A, the BOCC could do a tour of the area, meet residents and talk to them about what could be 31 possible. She said in terms of Area B, there seems to be a general consensus to hold off 32 developing for now. She said the BOCC needs more detail on traffic, costs and benefits. She 33 said the BOCC needs to hear from Mebane on its plans, and determine its corporate 34 development goals. She said everyone seems to desire more community engagement, and 35 lastly the BOCC needs to propose a timeline to Mebane. 36 Craig Benedict said he took notes. He said he is hearing that in Areas A and B there 37 needs to be face-to-face outreach. 38 Chair Price said face-to-face outreach in area A, and a delay on area B for right now. 39 Craig Benedict said there have been ongoing conversations with this community, and 40 staff will continue these. 41 Chair Price said that was almost a generation ago. She said staff should walk the area 42 to see how people live. 43 Commissioner Dorosin said he does not think the County should retreat from the 44 economic development plan, as it does risk becoming a bedroom community. He said he would 45 like to redouble efforts to develop plans already in the land use plan. He said the County 46 desperately needs economic development. He said the County has been very limited in 47 accepting economic development and has ended up with nothing. He said the perfect cannot 48 be the enemy of the good, and high taxes put the squeeze on people who cannot pay. 49 Chair Price said she wanted to focus on the areas that are contiguous for development. 50 Commissioner Bedford echoed Commissioner Dorosin's comments. She emphasized 51 talking with Mebane and communities about potential school sites. She said the County is