Minutes 03-19-2024 - Business Meeting

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14 Vice-Chair Greene thanked the presenters. She said her name was on the land use part because she was asked to step in briefly to talk about the land use connection and the only advice, she gave was for it to be a living and working document that is incorporated into all of the county's plans. She said she noticed on page 41 of the report that it identifies many elements of the current land use plan. She said many of the conservation goals are reflected in the plan. She said that it is a continuation of the work the county has been doing. She said she hoped this information would be incorporated into the new comprehensive land use plan and the lands legacy action plan. Christian Hirni said they would receive an update on the Lands Legacy Action Plan in April. Vice-Chair Greene noted the references in the County's Climate Action Plan to priorities in the Eno New Hope Landscape Conservation Group's "Strategic Action Plan." She said all of the plans are being integrated together. She said her previous petition to make conservation subdivisions a reality is connected to this work. She said the Green Growth Toolbox has suggestions for how to build a conservation subdivision ordinance that actually works. Johnny Randall said the Green Growth Toolbox is a wonderful resource created by the Wildlife Resources Commission. Commissioner McKee referred to slide #11. He asked how open space is defined. He asked if it refers to open space owned by the county or privately owned. Bo Howes said it is open to interpretation. He said it is a design, not a mandate. He said that they would not go to a private landowner and tell them how they have to manage their property. He said these would be recommendations. He said it would not be a restriction on individual landowners. Commissioner McKee said he is concerned about slippery slopes with open-ended definitions. He said some farming practices do not align and are necessary. He said he does not know how they ensure they do not head down a path that will have an adverse effect on farms. He said the Rural Buffer impinged on a lot of farms. Commissioner Fowler asked how the county would use this plan and how would they know where to put money. Christian Hirni said the Lands Legacy Plan will be presented next month and there will be a ranking matrix category for properties that obtain clear corridors and habitat reflected in the plan. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked about the statement in the agenda materials that says funding was secured by NC Wildlife Resources Commission, with additional support from Orange County. She asked what that statement was related to. David Stancil said that there is a small area in southwestern Orange County that they would like to incorporate and have the same level of data and information. He said that the county participated early on, which included staff time and possibly initial funding creating the project. Christian Hirni said it was the Eno-Hope Collaborative and it has been renamed the Triangle Connectivity to allow Durham County to expand the program. He said they received a grant from the Burt's Bees corporation and he could apply for more grants if the county approves. Commissioner Richards said that the group is coming again in April. She asked if the county is close to having these connections without needing to acquire more. David Stancil said they are part of the way there. He said that this is not entirely different from how the county has been operating in a land use way but there are a few glaring areas that could use more work. Commissioner Richards said they are doing a lot of different plans right now. She said she has concerns that there are a lot of moving parts. She said the strategic plan has measures which speak directly to how much land is preserved. David Stancil said that is important. He said that at the next presentation in April, the Board will see the connections and specifically, the Climate Action Plan has a lot of connectivity