Orange County NC Website
3 <br /> said there is a fire station 2 minutes away from the ETJ, but the station that serves the area is <br /> based in Carrboro. She said Chapel Hill Police Department does not cover the ETJ and because <br /> it is the southern-most part of the county, claimed an Orange County Sheriff patrol car is a rare <br /> sighting. She questioned whether nearby schools will be able to accommodate additional students <br /> moving to this area. She said she is not asking for changes, but there are no bus stops and no <br /> sidewalks in the ETJ. She said more affordable housing does need to come to Chapel Hill, but <br /> developers are going to spend millions of dollars to extend water and sewer to as many dwellings <br /> as they are allowed. She said the Board can call for needed studies and plans with community <br /> input before voting to amend WASMPBA. <br /> Morgan Womble said she is a Chapel Hill native, and her family owns a farm off of Smith <br /> Level Rd. in Chapel Hill established in the late 1800s-early 1900s. She said her grandfathers <br /> worked to sustain the land through a variety of means, and now her brother and father work every <br /> day just to pay taxes on the land. She said her concern with the WASMPBA extension is the <br /> downstream effects it may certainly have on the south Chapel Hill community. She asked the <br /> Board what consideration has been made regarding economic and demographic impacts of the <br /> water line that will lead to continued development in the area. She asked how this would affect <br /> taxes in the community. She said the areas surrounding the proposed extension are filled with <br /> low to middle-income families that will be priced out as big developers come into the area, her <br /> family included. She said this change will completely change the demographics of this area unless <br /> thoughtful planning is done for how to develop the region. She said she understands that growth <br /> and development is inevitable, but asked the Board to ensure there is appropriate regulations in <br /> place for developers who may come in to build apartment complex after apartment complex. <br /> b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br /> (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) <br /> 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she attended the Research Triangle Regional <br /> Partnership luncheon, and the discussion showcased the diversity and strength of the region's <br /> economic landscape and how community colleges are working together to enhance workforce <br /> development programs. She said an attendee asked one of the site consultants what they think <br /> different counties should work to improve, and he responded that industry leaders are looking to <br /> hear how they are addressing affordable housing issues and that demographic groups being left <br /> out of the workforce are identified and work is being done to engage them. She shared that she <br /> participated in BIPOC Electeds Black History Month Poetry Reading and also went to the Ag <br /> Summit yesterday. At the latter event, she said there was an eye-opening discussion on farm <br /> transitions and the presenter stressed the importance of the availability of resources for farmers <br /> to begin early planning. She said she read Lillian's Right to Vote earlier today to a group of fifth <br /> grade students at Carrboro Elementary for the Eighth Annual African American Read-In and is <br /> grateful that the students were attentive and engaging and invited her to their classroom. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton said she also participated in the BIPOC poetry reading and noted <br /> the event is available to view on Carrboro's website. She shared that she also had the privilege <br /> of reading Testing the Ice at Carrboro Elementary School today and There Was a Party for <br /> Langston at Northside Elementary on February 9'. She said it was important to her to be in the <br /> classroom with the students and reiterated how vital it is to invest in our children. Commissioner <br /> Hamilton said she is on the Alliance Health Board and questions have come up about the structure <br /> of that board. She said the board looks for applicants with certain expertise and perspectives. She <br /> reviewed some of the areas of expertise the board is looking for. She petitioned the Board to form <br /> a subcommittee to look at the performance measures of the Strategic Plan. <br /> Commissioner Fowler said she filled in at the Central Pines Regional Council MPO <br /> meeting and reported that Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen will be pulled out into their <br />