7_10_24 Planning Board Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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