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271 <br /> Approved 8.7.24 <br /> 1103 out there. There were three things we could do. We could create a land conservation <br /> 1104 easement, but we would only have netted 50% of the fair market value, and this is our <br /> 1105 retirement income, because we don't have anything else. This second thing was to sell <br /> 1106 this land to a developer for a fair market value and have multiple lot owners do whatever <br /> 1107 they want with their lots, clear cut the trees, watch the building of more mc-mansions with <br /> 1108 true green lawns, and use of herbicides and pesticides. I have a degree in viticulture and <br /> 1109 enology. I built a vineyard there. I also have another degree in organic agriculture. So, I <br /> 1110 am adamantly opposed to anything, pesticides, herbicides, true green, uh-uh, no, not for <br /> 1111 me. So, the third option was to find a like-minded group which came to us in the form of <br /> 1112 2T. That group has pledged to keep the trees, not use pesticides or herbicides and <br /> 1113 preserve the integrity of the land. The other thing that nobody has mentioned here is that <br /> 1114 these people are also going to preserve our cultural heritage by the use of contra dancing <br /> 1115 and developing the folk dancing. This type of heritage is vital to the preservation of our <br /> 1116 society. It was brought over here by the Scots who founded North Carolina in the 1700s. <br /> 1117 It's a part of the English and French traditions as well. So, I am definitely for this <br /> 1118 development. <br /> 1119 <br /> 1120 Tom Cheek: As I walk up here, I see my friends and neighbors. I see a lot of people who I hope will <br /> 1121 soon be my friends and neighbors. <br /> 1122 <br /> 1123 Adam Beeman: Can you identify yourself, please? <br /> 1124 <br /> 1125 Tom Cheek: I am Tom Cheek; I am the landowner. Let me give you a bit of background. My paternal <br /> 1126 line has been in Orange County for 150 years. My family has been here for a long time. <br /> 1127 I'm the sixth generation to grow up. In 1957 my family bought this property when I was 6 <br /> 1128 years old. This is where I've grown up. This land is in my blood. I knew at an early age 1 <br /> 1129 wanted to be a builder. Found out God did not want me to be a chemist, so I went into the <br /> 1130 building trades. I am a licensed commercial general contractor and a civil engineering <br /> 1131 technician. It has always been my intent to divide this land and build residential on it. 1 <br /> 1132 had a horrific car accident in 2005 which prevented me from doing that. I realized 1 <br /> 1133 needed to partner with someone who would fulfill my vision for the land. These folks 2T, <br /> 1134 are the best answer for that land. I believe in what they're doing and having the <br /> 1135 construction background that I have, has allowed me to see that the way they are doing it <br /> 1136 is adequate, beyond adequate, admirable. Usually when we have people move into our <br /> 1137 neighborhood, we don't know what their character is like. This time is different. About 2 <br /> 1138 years ago we had a monthly meeting scheduled but the 2T participants were late, about a <br /> 1139 half hour late. I found out that they had stopped to help my elderly neighbor who had <br /> 1140 gone down to her mailbox and fallen and was lying in the driveway. This is the character <br /> 1141 of the people who would be our neighbors. I ask you to pass this, thank you. <br /> 1142 <br /> 1143 Stephen Stiebel: All right, thank you for the opportunity to speak. I'm Stephen Stiebel, I've lived on <br /> 1144 Henderson Field Road just off Morrow Mill Road for 22 years. I'm speaking in favor of this <br /> 1145 rezoning amendment. I'm a member of Hands Four and a longtime member of the dance <br /> 1146 community. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and in that <br /> 1147 career, I have managed construction projects and I was involved in the startup of two <br /> 1148 facilities. More recently, I owned and operated a construction-related business for over 20 <br /> 1149 years. I have served on the board of directors of the Orange Durham Chatham County <br /> 1150 Home Builders Association. During my involvement with 2T and H4D, I have been <br /> 1151 impressed by the care, thoughtfulness and professional approach of this community. <br /> 1152 Importantly, I have been impressed with the planning taking into account to minimize their <br />