Agenda - 09-05-2023; 8-a - Minutes

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51 1 real estate interest could command any jurisdiction to extend utilities to any parcel in Orange 2 County by virtue of signing a letter of agreement with a school. He said that this proposal would 3 rip Hillsborough's new land use policy to shreds. He said if they approve the spot zoning request 4 it would also rip the WASMPBA agreement to shreds. He asked the Board to vote no. 5 Meaghun Darab said that the developer's mention of using septic and well would be a 6 major change to the scope of this project. She said that a cafeteria has never been in this plan. 7 She said that the soil report said that there is 8 acres required to accommodate the school. She 8 said this site plan only shows septic for the recreation fields and does not account for the school. 9 She said that on January 24, 2022, during Summit Engineering's presentation to the Town of 10 Hillsborough, they said that the fields only become a reality if utilities are allocated for the parcel. 11 She said that if the developer goes forward with the development of a school and tennis club, the 12 area where the fields are currently shown will be dedicated entirely to septic. She said the use of 13 septic is not in the site plan. She said if septic is going to be used for the school, the developer 14 should withdraw the request and submit a new one. She said that she wants the board to think 15 critically when the developer speaks of septic for the school system. She said that the developer 16 owes the Board of County Commissioners the entire picture of this development. She said that if 17 they are keeping the site plan as presented, then the statement of not needing Hillsborough water 18 and utilities should be retracted. She said the site plan as shown, should be voted no and asked 19 the Board to keep the area rural residential. 20 Katie Harper thanked the Board for taking public comment. She said her family lives near 21 the development. She asked the Board to vote no on the rezoning. She said that the application 22 is inconsistent with land use goals and objectives, particularly with respect to walkability, 23 connectivity and preserving the rural character of the community. She said that Lawrence Road 24 is not appropriate for any kind of school. She said that she understands why this is a difficult 25 decision. She said that it seems that it is in the best interest for the families that attend the 26 Expedition School because they will receive priority enrollment at West Triangle. She said that it 27 is also a project that seems to be in the best interest of HYAA families and they would receive 28 much needed new fields. She said that it is in the best interest of tennis players who want more 29 courts. She said that it is not in the best interest of the public at large. She said that there is no 30 public transportation or sidewalks. She said that this project would not preserve the rural 31 character of the community. She said it is not in the best interest of the vast majority of 32 Hillsborough residents because their water and sewer rates are already expected to increase 6% 33 in the coming year. She said that more rate increases will follow if this passes. She said that the 34 town voted no on providing water and sewer and if it passes, they will be forced to. She said it is 35 too costly for the town and provides no tax revenue. She thanked them for the proposal to 36 renovate Fairview Park. She asked them to look into options for new sites for HYAA and West 37 Triangle School. She said the fields are all good ideas but not in this location. 38 Lynn Carswell said asked the Board to please vote no, and keep this property zoned rural 39 residential. 40 Hillary Mackenzie asked the Board to vote no on the spot rezoning and keep the parcel 41 zoned rural residential. She said she is an advocate for traditional public schools and is against 42 the funneling of money to charter schools, it does not matter the type of school because they do 43 not have public utilities there and it does not make sense to provide them. She said she was 44 surprised by the proposal by Jim Parker to negotiate with Orange County Schools to build a new 45 school because this is not actually a possibility because there are no funds for this. She said that 46 the Town of Hillsborough approved a skatepark to be built in Cates Creek Park. She said that 47 the town has already voted no on the project, and it is not in the best interest of the public. 48 Cathy Vinski said she lives in Hillsborough and that for the same reasons put forth by 49 others, the spot rezoning is not in the best public interest. She asked the Board to vote no and to 50 keep the land rural residential.