Minutes 06-01-2021 Virtual Business meeting

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21 the County said please do not put just residential there. She said she does not want to shut off creative thinking. Chair Price said Mebane was concerned about not having major residential in that area. Commissioner Bedford said yes. Chair Price said Mebane's water capacity will not allow major residential development. Commissioner McKee said several different boards approved and reapproved a plan. He said a bond was approved by the voters for economic development, which encompassed economic development. He said refusing to explore other areas will create a gated community, and the County will just sit where it is. He said there are several hundred acres, but every acre is not developable. He said the majority of Orange County's taxes come from residential taxes, and people cannot afford the taxes they are paying. He said if the BOCC does not explore other options than residential, Orange County will become a gentrified bedroom community to the Triangle. He said he is open to exploring areas A and B, and wants to look at projects as they come forward in a reasonable manner. Chair Price agreed with delaying development of Area B, look at other lavender areas along 85/40, remove designation of Preston Loop, and work towards community engagement. She said she would like to look more closely at Area A, and who is living there. She said it is worth looking at developing area A, in conjunction with the community. Commissioner Hamilton said she is going to Area A and meeting with someone who lives there. She said folks want to develop. She said Orange County is a County that talks about institutional racism, and back in the 1980s, marginalized communities may not have had a voice when these plans were being made. She said it is vital that the BOCC hears from them, and be sure that they get a fair price for their land and not be taken advantage of. She said she would like to hold back one year for water and sewer, as the development possibilities are driven by access to water and sewer. She said it is important to remember that there are people who have not had a voice, and the BOCC has to be deliberate. She said she supports a process to make sure that everyone gets heard. Commissioner Fowler said she agreed with getting more input from people in Area A. She said the BOCC hands are tied in Area B, unless it plans to change WASMPBA. She said people should be aware that Mebane is looking at that area. She asked if anyone on the BOCC has talked to Mebane. She said residents should be aware of the risk. Commissioner Greene said in preferring to keep Area B out of commercial development, she would hope Mebane could be persuaded to do the same. Chair Price reviewed the direction from the Commissioners. She said in terms of Area A, the BOCC could do a tour of the area, meet residents and talk to them about what could be possible. She said in terms of Area B, there seems to be a general consensus to hold off developing for now. She said the BOCC needs more detail on traffic, costs and benefits. She said the BOCC needs to hear from Mebane on its plans, and determine its corporate development goals. She said everyone seems to desire more community engagement, and lastly the BOCC needs to propose a timeline to Mebane. Craig Benedict said he took notes. He said he is hearing that in Areas A and B there needs to be face-to-face outreach. Chair Price said face-to-face outreach in area A, and a delay on area B for right now. Craig Benedict said there have been ongoing conversations with this community, and staff will continue these. Chair Price said that was almost a generation ago. She said staff should walk the area to see how people live. Commissioner Dorosin said he does not think the County should retreat from the economic development plan, as it does risk becoming a bedroom community. He said he would like to redouble efforts to develop plans already in the land use plan. He said the County