Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
17 <br /> Cy Stober said yes, and it has the same owner. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he thinks it is currently in commercial operation for pipe <br /> laying or fiber laying. He said it does not seem to be an empty mill anymore. <br /> Cy Stober said there has been recent activity and staff is investigating the matter. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to <br /> open the public hearing. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> Marilyn Liner said she is a life-long resident of Efland. She said she opposes the <br /> proposed rezoning of the property in question. She said she attended the Orange County <br /> Planning Board meeting, and some members of the board expressed some opposition. She <br /> said that the public turnout was low because of a lack of communication. She said there were <br /> signs placed on the property for notice but that they were small print, flimsy, and <br /> unprofessional. She said the applicant said they will build a warehouse. She said when <br /> suggestions were made the Board said it was not possible to put any retail business due to its <br /> proximity. She said she cannot think of a church in the state that does not have a retail location <br /> near it. She said the overlay plans as provided in the agenda materials seem to be <br /> contradictory. She said that the Efland Village overlay appears to be addressing the concept of <br /> a village with residential development and services for the residents. She said the village is <br /> served by Orange-Alamance Water system. She said that is separate from the county. She said <br /> the County started a sewage system after the elementary had septic system issues. She said <br /> not approving businesses in Efland hurts Orange County. She asked the Board to reject the <br /> application to keep the village concept in place. <br /> Kristin Marbais said she disagrees that this meets the criteria of the Efland Village <br /> Overlay. She said the word village invokes a certain image and this type of business would not <br /> maintain that. She said there are a wide variety of businesses that may go in there and this will <br /> increase traffic and exacerbate issues in the area. She said there are thousands of warehouses <br /> in the area that are empty and ready for rent. She said this type of property is not needed here. <br /> Chad Huffine said he and the applicant tried to address any concerns during the <br /> Planning Board meeting. He said based on staff reports, the advertisement was within the state <br /> requirements. He said that the proposed tenants have the same right or ability to work in Efland <br /> where they live and a lot of the space that Irwin Properties is providing will be homes that help <br /> build the community. He said there is high demand for a local office person/contractor to locate <br /> here. He said there is a unique blend of residences. He said regardless of the zoning change, if <br /> a large structure such as a house was built it would have to deal with the same constraints. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to <br /> close the public hearing. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Commissioner Bedford said there were concerns about getting in and out of property at <br /> the Planning Board meeting. She asked what the process will be for driveway design. <br /> Cy Stober said if any development happens, site plan will include driveway plans and will <br /> go to staff for approval. He said that any driveway design will need to be permitted by NCDOT. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked about the timeline. <br />