Agenda 03-01-22; 8-a - Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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12 1 Slide #4 f)uCI,tio ns% ■ 2 3 Commissioner Fowler said this is a wonderful opportunity and shared that she went to 4 the site today and learned some of the history. She asked about the area immediately 5 surrounding the house on the property and whether or not the current event activities occur in 6 that area. 7 Christian Hirni said some activity will take place outside of that area, but not within the 8 24-acre area where the Eno River Association is maintaining. 9 Former Commissioner Barry Jacobs spoke on behalf of the Moorefields Foundation. He 10 thanked county staff and commissioners for helping to make this possible. He said that the 11 Moorefields easement can be thought of as a complement to the Seven Mile Creek nature 12 preserve because it is adjacent to it and extends it. He said that a natural areas inventory was 13 completed in the 1980s and that this area was considered the most significant natural area in 14 the county. He said that Moorefields has tried to serve as a community resource and has been 15 on national register of historic places list since 1950. He said they also lobbied for Cheeks 16 Township zoning which adds another layer of protection to the property. He said that Draper 17 Savage left in his will that the house and grounds would be maintained in perpetuity, and that 18 the grounds be maintained as wildlife preserve. He said that the special events on the property 19 help fundraise to offset operating costs. He said that between gifts, grants, partnerships, and 20 events, the organization tries to break even every year. He said that these easements will make 21 Moorefields a resource available for Orange County in perpetuity. 22 Commissioner Bedford thanked the foundation for their work. She said she has been 23 waiting to celebrate these easements and it is good to see the state funding. She said she likes 24 that the property will tie into the Mountains to Sea Trail. She asked when the actual building of 25 the trail will begin and about the next steps for the trail development. 26 Christian Hirni said staff has visited the property twice with Mr. Jacobs and members of 27 the Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail to determine the best potential location for the 28 easement. He said that once the easement is recorded, the will work with Friends of the 29 Mountains to Sea Trail and Moorefields foundation to determine the exact route for the trail. He 30 said that volunteers will help to construct the trail, with the county taking over monitoring and 31 maintenance needs, in perpetuity. 32 Chair Price said this is a wonderful addition and thanked Mr. Jacobs and the foundation 33 for making the offer and making this resource available to the public. She said that she looks 34 forward to the safe return of festivals once the pandemic ends. 35 Former Commissioner Jacobs said he appreciates the partnerships and noted 36 partnerships with the Eno River Association, NC Land and Water Fund, and the City of Raleigh. 37 He said they are always looking for partnerships to make good things happen in Orange 38 County.