4.5.23 PB Packet - Final - Laserfiche WebLink

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170 ORANGE COUNTY Department of Environment, Agriculture,Parks&Recreation MEMORANDUM To: Tyler Sliger,Planner II, Planning and Inspections Department From: Christian Himi,DEAPR Land Conservation Manager Date: December 15,2022 Re: Eden View Subdivision-Conditional District Rezoning Application Thank you the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed Glen Eden Subdivision-Conditional District Rezoning Application. The development would create 38 single-family lots on approximately 192 acres located east of Orange Grove Road and north of Dairyland Road(Cane Creek Protected Watershed). The subject property is compiled of two separate parcels (PIN's 9841-52-7281 and 9840-79-5091). The property is directly adjacent to privately held conservation easements along the southern border upon land owned by Susan Nichols and Karen Sexton. The purpose of that conservation easement is to permanently protect and promote a vegetated buffer of several streams, including Watery Fork and its tributaries.Watery Fork, and a tributary flow named Hudson Branch,through and along the central and southern boundary of the subject property as they travel to Cane Creek Reservoir, 1.5 miles downstream. The headwater of another unnamed tributary is found on the northeast corner of the proposed development property. This tributary eventually joins Cane Creek, approximately 1 mile to the north. DEAPR comments on subdivisions are generally intended to a)address any concerns with respect to potential impacts on important natural or cultural resources,and b)identify any areas that might be desirable for possible dedication to the County for public recreation/open space pursuant to Section 7.11.5 of the Unified Development Ordinance. Natural Resources Review Comments: The plan calls for setting aside approximately 76 acres of Open Space(-40 percent) including areas around the farm pond,riparian buffers that help protect Watery Fork Creek, Hudson Branch,the unnamed tributary in the northeastern corner of the property, and most of the wetlands as delineated within the site plan. The proposed Open Space appears to be adequate to protect the stream corridors and all of the jurisdictional wetlands,less the proposed access road that transects the whole of the property. A section of the forested area on the northeast corner of the property, approximately 13 acres in size,is recognized in the 2030 Orange County Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map as a"Resource Protection Area". These areas were determined to be of conservation value considering several factors, including but not limited to the existence of floodplains,wetlands,bottomland hardwood forests, and soils of statewide importance. Cross referencing the State Natural Heritage Program dataset of the Biodiversity and Wildlife Corridor Assessment confirms the area to be of Low to Moderate conservation value. As such,this area would be a desired addition to any potential extension of the proposed open space on the tract. Overall,the plan appears consistent with the County's desire to minimize adverse environmental impacts with respect to the protection of floodplains,wetlands,natural areas and wildlife habitat. There are no additional natural resource areas of high significance(e.g.,natural heritage sites,proposed wildlife