Agenda - 12-11-2001-9g - Laserfiche WebLink

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as 6 ORANGE COUNTY ENVIRONMENT ANO RESOURCE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM T0: Eddie Kirk, Orange County Olanner From: Rich Shaw, Land ConservaGOn Managers C Date: November 8, 2001 Re: Proposed Subdivision -Fox Hill Farm Central Thank you the opportunity to review antl comment on the proposed subdivision referenced above. My comments are generally intendetl to a) atldress any concerns that ERCD may have wah respect to potential impacts on important natural and culNral resources, and b) identify any areas that could be desirable far possible dedlcalicn ro the County far public recreatlon/open space pursuant to Section IV-B- ]-b of the Orange County Subtlivision OMinance. The preliminary plat fqr Fax Hill Farm Central shows over 101 acres (33%) are tc be set aside as permanent open space and deeded tc a homeowners' association. Most of the open space will be along flue riparian carritlors, which extend across the tract. One of those corritlors contains a perennial stream (Little Creek) antl its 100-year Flootlplain. Little Creek Flows souN through the southeast cornerto the Eno River. From the 1998 orthopho[o it appears mat the riparian corridors are forested with mature hardwoods, antl those areas would be protected by scream buffers of varying widths affortletl by the Lower Eno Protected Watershed overlay district antl the Neuse Buffer Rules. Most areas to be tleveloped as home sites were dearetl previously far agdcul[oral use. It appears, however, that approximately 101ots along the proposed Farm Gate Drive and another 101ois along [he proposed Fox HIII Farm Drive woultl require at least portal clearing oP mature hartlwootls ItlentiFletl as prime forest wildlife habitat in the 1999 Landsrape wkh Wildlife report (Wiley et al. ). There are no requirements In Ne ortlinance to protect those areas. The site includes np proposetl wildlife corridors itlentifetl in the Comprehensive Plan. The prppasetl subdNislon tlpes a fair jab of provitling open space and protec[Ing riparian roMtlors located throughout the property. The preliminary plan appears consistent with the County's tlesire m minimize adverse environmental impacts with respeQ t0 me protection of streams and Flpptlplains. Mare coultl be tlone to pmtett prime foresrywildlife habitat antl prime farmland, but [here are no County requirements [o that effe0. In conclusion, I do not recommend that anY land ba ronsidered for possible dedication for public recreation/open space. Let me know if you have any questions or would like to discuss further a. DaviO Standl