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293 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> A. - V <br /> Department of Environment, <br /> Agriculture,Parks&Recreation <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> To: Taylor Perschau, Current Planning Supervisor, Planning and Inspections Department <br /> From: Christian Himi,Land Conservation Manager, DEAPR <br /> Date: January 30,2023 <br /> Re: Fiddlehead-Zoning Map Amendment and Master Plan <br /> Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed Zoning Map Amendment upon <br /> land listed under Hands Four Development Cooperative and Thomas Cheek. The development would <br /> include"a maximum of 150 residences,with community buildings, open space, and roadways, on <br /> approximately 90 acres acres located on the southwest side of Morrow Mill Road,just south of the <br /> intersection with NC 54 West. The subject property is one parcel (PIN 9739-72-0339) and is within the <br /> Haw River Watershed. <br /> The property contains three unnamed tributaries, and one confluence,which drain directly into Collins <br /> Creek approximately 350 feet east of the property boundary. <br /> DEAPR comments on development projects are generally intended to a)address any concerns with <br /> respect to potential impacts on important natural or cultural resources, and b)identify any areas that might <br /> be desirable for possible dedication to the County for public recreation/open space pursuant to Section <br /> 7.11.5 of the Unified Development Ordinance. <br /> Natural Resources Review Comments: <br /> The plan is not specific as to how much area will be set aside as open space,but it appears primarily <br /> around the riparian buffers of the three unnamed tributaries as delineated within the site plan. <br /> The southeasternmost area on the property containing the tributary and associated forested area, <br /> approximately one to two acres in size,is recognized in the 2030 Orange County Comprehensive Plan <br /> Future Land Use Map as a"Resource Protection Area". These areas were determined to be of <br /> conservation value considering several factors, including but not limited to the existence of floodplains, <br /> wetlands,bottomland hardwood forests, and soils of statewide importance. <br /> Cross referencing the State Natural Heritage Program Inventory,and the dataset of the Biodiversity and <br /> Wildlife Corridor Assessment, confirms the primary tributary and associated forested corridor <br /> (approximately 100-150 feet from centerline)to be of medium conservation value (Score 5/10). The <br /> section of Collins Creek south of NC 54, one-and three-quarter miles downstream,is listed by the County <br /> and State Natural Heritage Area Inventory(Haw River Aquatic Habitat). Any such use of the areas <br /> around the tributaries should allow it to remain in its natural and wooded state, and the recommendation <br /> would be to provide only low-impact recreational uses in the designated open space. The development of <br /> the site,including culverts and/or bridging, should be done with care to limit the disturbance of the stream <br /> bed and walls. All other uses or potential improvements associated with the development of the tract <br /> should be located outside of this area. <br />