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34 <br /> <br />Slide #42 1 <br /> 2 <br /> Cy Stober said there will be a much deeper dive into septic systems, but generally, there 3 <br />are six types regulated by the state and local health departments, and they’re based on size. 4 <br /> Chair Bedford invited former Commissioner Barry Jacobs to speak. 5 <br /> Barry Jacobs said in 1980, Orange County's population was 75,000, half of today's. He 6 <br />said water crises in the 1960s and 1970s, when residents were encouraged to "shower with a 7 <br />friend," made water supply protection paramount. He also said Orange County had sued DOT 8 <br />over I-40's route and was the seventh fastest growing county in the state at the time joint planning 9 <br />began. The joint planning effort aimed to prevent sprawl like North Raleigh and Cary, keeping 10 <br />Orange County recognizable. The agreement focused on cost-effective water supply protection, 11 <br />preventing sprawl's expensive infrastructure needs, and protecting open space and agriculture. 12 <br />Barry Jacobs said immediate follow-up efforts included a low and moderate-income housing task 13 <br />force, rural character study, and natural areas inventory. He emphasized how Orange County 14 <br />remains recognizable today compared to dramatically changed neighboring counties like 15 <br />Chatham. He explained that the Piney Mountain development's failing community septic system 16 <br />led to the water and sewer boundary agreement. He also said cluster developments began 17 <br />emerging as a viable option for balancing residential growth with environmental conservation. 18 <br />These developments allowed for higher-density housing within attractive environments, 19 <br />facilitating the preservation of open spaces and more efficient utility services. 20 <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how many affordable housing units they were able to 21 <br />create back then. 22 <br /> Barry Jacobs said the study only looked at the possibilities. The best option at that time 23 <br />was mobile homes, and he noted that Orange County remains one of the most permissive 24 <br />counties for mobile home siting in North Carolina. 25 <br /> The Board thanked Barry Jacobs for coming and sharing his perspective with them. 26 <br /> 27 <br /> 28 <br /> 29