12.11.24 BOA Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING and INSPECTIONS Cy Stober, AICP, Director | cstober@orangecountync.gov | 131 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC 27278 | 919.245.2575 November 27, 2024 Finding of No Significant Environmental Impact Geib Variance Application BA24-0005 PIN: 9857-87-2089 The Variance Application from Ronald L. and Kristen Geib, for the property with PIN 9857-87- 2089 located at 4630 Old Lake Trail, Hillsborough, Cedar Grove Township (hereafter, the 'Project'), has been received and reviewed by the Orange County Planning and Inspections Department. The variance application and accompanying site exhibit map were sent to local, state, and federal agencies for review. On November 8, 2024, the NC State Clearinghouse provided the Orange County Planning Department with its findings on behalf of the State agencies. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) provided a finding that identified two (2) primary concerns: 1)The potential of the buffer reduction to negatively impact habitat conditions downstream on the East Fork of the Eno River, where WRC has records of the state-threatened creeper (Strophitus undulatus) and notched rainbow (Villosa constricta), both freshwater mussels; and 2)The potential for flooding of the residence and septic drain field. Orange County does not contest that these are concerns but we believe that the concerns are minimal due to the subject property being adjacent to Lake Orange. Lake Orange is owned by Orange County and maintained for flood control, downstream public water supply, and downstream ecosystem health management. Orange County has an agreement with the North Carolina Division of Water Resources, the Town of Hillsborough, Orange-Alamance Water System, Inc., and Piedmont Minerals requiring minimum releases from Lake Orange to provide for average daily public water supply needs in addition to supporting wildlife habitat conditions on the East Fork of the Eno River. Point source discharge from Lake Orange is managed volumetrically via Orange County’s control of the weir and the primary intake tower at the dam. Orange County maintains a normal pool elevation of 615 feet above mean sea level (MSL) for Lake Orange, and holds a flood easement for all lands up to the 620’ MSL elevation contour. The likelihood of Lake Orange rising beyond the 620’ MSL contour is very low. The delineated 500-year floodplain has a minimal encroachment on the property and is well within the 75-foot reservoir buffer requested by the applicant. As presented, no structures or impervious surfaces are proposed or would otherwise be permitted within this proposed 75-foot buffer. Sincerely, Cy Stober Planning & Inspections Director Attach ment 5 45