Agenda - 02-04-2025; 5-a - Applications for Zoning Atlas Amendment, Comprehensive Plan Amendments, & UDO Text Amendments to Realize “Fiddlehead Corner”, a Master Plan Development – Conditional District

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264 Approved 8.7.24 753 The 90 wooded acres in our proposal could be developed without regard to conservation 754 resulting in de-foresting of most of the land with large houses, lots with required septic 755 fields without regard to natural habitats. Fiddlehead Corner is significantly different. It is 756 what some call a conservation subdivision. It clusters modest housing on only 30 of the 757 90 acres leaving most of the land, 60 acres, minimally disturbed. I currently live in a 55- 758 plus community that is part of a large subdivision in Chatham County. Development 759 meant significant destruction of natural habitats that come with clear cutting and scraping 760 off the topsoil to enhance profitability. Trees were planted, but it will be many years 761 before they replace what mature trees provide, natural habitat, and also shade for the 762 residents walking the neighborhood streets. In contrast, Fiddlehead is a conservation 763 cluster design. The clustering of homes will face green spaces rather than streets, a 764 design that, according to a North Carolina State University report on conservation 765 subdivisions, cuts down on paving cost and reduces the percent of impervious surfaces 766 by 31% on average. This approach is highly consistent with the conservation values of 767 Orange County land use further supporting the County's leadership in the state with an 768 approach that allows needed innovative development while avoiding suburban sprawl. 769 Quoting from the planning document analysis, Page 37 of June's agenda, I'm not sure 770 about tonight's, Fiddlehead Corner"offers a procedural and creative template that future 771 applicants might use for reference and guidance." Such creativity also appears to be 772 consistent with the direction of the revision of the Land Use Plan 2050. 1 urge you to 773 embrace this innovative application, because it is a both/and rather than an either/or. It 774 combines serving the needs of people with conserving Orange County's natural 775 resources. Thank you. 776 777 Kathy McHugh: My name is Kathy McHugh. I'm a member of 2T, a local resident and a schoolteacher. 1 778 strongly support approval of the zoning that would allow Fiddlehead to be built. I hope to 779 live many years to come, but I'm definitely getting older. I know from watching older 780 family members and friends that challenges come as we age. Physical problems that limit 781 mobility and independence and waning of cognitive abilities. It's a bit scary to think about 782 how I would be able to deal with these challenges if I live long enough to encounter them. 783 Moving into a continuing care retirement community is one possible answer, but as I look 784 at my finances and compare them to the costs of the CCRC, they just don't match up. To 785 live in an unfamiliar rental unit, like the ones that are springing up all over, isn't very 786 appealing to me. I wonder if there would be anyone there who shares my values and 787 interests, and who would come to my aid when I encounter rough patches. That's why 788 Fiddlehead Corner is so appealing to me. I know I would be among long-term friends 789 there. My favorite activities, such as contra dancing would be right there where I can walk 790 to them. When friends need help, I'll be there to help them and vice versa. And without 791 all the overhead costs that one pays in a CCRC, I think it will fit in my budget. It's just 792 amazing how this plan for Fiddlehead has gradually been developing from the first spark 793 of an idea now to a full master plan. It's heartening that a small seed of an idea has 794 grown so much. We will be hunkered down in a compact campus in the woods where we 795 can easily get to the community center and to one another and to gorgeous surroundings. 796 1 urge you to approve this application that will allow Fiddlehead Corner to become a 797 reality. It's a win-win-win for Orange County. 798 799 Aadra Bhatt: Good evening. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to talk. I don't think I could 800 summarize all my thoughts as eloquently as my neighbors. 801 802 Chris Johnston: I'm sorry, your name.