Orange County NC Website
26 <br /> 1 communities. We allocate $6,000 each year to provide scholarships to 2 graduating seniors from <br /> 2 each area high school who are furthering their education either in academics or in a trade. We <br /> 3 support youth programs both financially and by donating our space for their use. This year, we <br /> 4 are sponsoring youth sports teams. We also support the high school athletic teams, specifically <br /> 5 the football teams, by providing a meal each year during their regular season. We have been <br /> 6 approached by scout troops in the past about using the buildings for meetings, and we are open <br /> 7 to this. We also allow other community focused groups, such as the Efland Historical Society, to <br /> 8 use our space for regular meetings. Over the years, Relay for Life, American Red Cross, <br /> 9 Hillsborough Hog Day, Timeless Cruizers, Hillsborough Sports Fishing Club, Orange County <br /> 10 Sheriff's Office, local churches, and schools have all used our property to help support their goals <br /> 11 and to help improve our community for all Orange County Citizens. We coordinate benefit meals <br /> 12 to support individual members of our community who have had tragedies befall them, from house <br /> 13 fires to medical diagnoses. <br /> 14 We also have outdoor facilities — a playground and walking track — which the members of the <br /> 15 community have access to for recreational purposes. <br /> 16 Finally, we make our buildings available to the community as an event rental space for an <br /> 17 affordable fee. Any money we earn is used to maintain our physical spaces, pay property taxes <br /> 18 and other bills, and, most importantly, to fund our service-oriented activities. <br /> 19 The Club's membership has been steadily growing over the past 5 years, increasing in number <br /> 20 and diversity. The membership is starting to better reflect the diverse make-up of our community, <br /> 21 from ethnicity to gender to age. We currently have about 35 members, which is an increase of <br /> 22 about 11% over the last five years. It is a great sign to see the roster growing, as many <br /> 23 organizations have seen a decline in membership over the past decade. <br /> 24 Our intention is to continue using this space to support our local community. We are focused on <br /> 25 providing more opportunities for community enjoyment and engagement. This year, in addition to <br /> 26 our annual rodeo, we added a tractor pull in the spring. We are in the process of brainstorming <br /> 27 and implementing ideas about additional ways to give back, including more regular summer <br /> 28 events such as free concerts or movie nights, additional or more regular benefit meals, and <br /> 29 community service projects.Attendance at the rodeo is so strong that we are also exploring ways <br /> 30 to allow this to continue growing as well. <br /> 31 We would also like to be able to add a SECU cashpoints machine, as there are not any ATMs <br /> 32 nearby. This is what provided the impetus for our long overdue rezoning application. Without the <br /> 33 change in zoning, this affordable access to banking would not be allowed on our property. We <br /> 34 think it is an important service to provide so that community members can have access to their <br /> 35 money at a convenient, nearby location. <br /> 36 Given our growth in membership and activities, we don't anticipate the club disbanding at any <br /> 37 point in the near future. Sadly, though, my crystal ball is not working, and since no one can really <br /> 38 guarantee anything, we do have a plan designated in our charter should this ever happen. In the <br /> 39 event that the club should cease to exist, the land and assets are slated to be distributed among <br /> 40 the area churches, in an effort to maintain the space for community service of some kind. What <br /> 41 that would like look is flexible, but, again, the intent is to keep this space as a benefit to the <br /> 42 community in one way or another. <br /> 43 This rezoning will make sure that the club can continue to support the community in as many <br /> 44 ways as possible. Not only does it align with the County's projected use of the area, it will also <br /> 45 match the current use and allow us to offer additional services in the future, such as adding an <br /> 46 ATM. <br /> 47 We appreciate the Board's consideration of our request, and we will do our best to answer any <br /> 48 questions you may have for us." <br /> 49 Commissioner Hamilton asked what kinds of enterprises happen in GC-4 zoning. <br />