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