Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br /> September 24, 2025 <br /> Ad Hoc Committee on Well Rules <br /> The committee will reconvene after the Board has received updates on the implications of <br /> the recent adjudication hearing decision. <br /> V. Approval of the September 24, 2025, Agenda <br /> Dr. Royce requested the addition of an action item for discussion of the vacant At-Large seat. <br /> Motion to approve the amended agenda of the September 24, 2025 BOH meeting was <br /> made by Commissioner Amy Fowler, seconded by Dr. Lee Pickett, and carried without <br /> dissent. <br /> VI. Approval of August 27, 2025 Meeting Minutes <br /> Motion to approve the minutes of the August 27, 2025 meeting was made by <br /> Commissioner Amy Fowler, seconded by Mr. Tony Whitaker, and carried without dissent. <br /> VII. Educational Sessions <br /> A. Impact of the Recent Adjudication Case <br /> Victoria Hudson, Environmental Health Director, and Thomas Privott, Environmental Health <br /> Supervisor, presented on the implications of the recent adjudication decision. Some highlights of <br /> their presentation are below: <br /> • The Orange County Board of Health heard an adjudication appeal in May of 2024 <br /> brought by Mr. Richard Gurlitz regarding the denial of a permit to build a carport due to <br /> its proximity to the property's well. The board's decision to sustain the denial went to <br /> district court, where it was reversed. In September of 2025, the Board of Health voted to <br /> issue a permit to Mr. Gurlitz allowing the construction of the proposed carport. <br /> • The board's decision was reversed for two primary reasons: 1. There was a lack of <br /> evidence to support the need for the 50-foot setback required in Orange County <br /> compared to the 25-foot setback required by the state; and 2. The words "subject to <br /> termite treatment" in the Orange County Groundwater Protection Rules were not given <br /> adequate meaning, and exact words and precise definitions matter greatly in the legal <br /> sphere. <br /> • There is a gap in the empirical evidence around setbacks and wells —currently, there is <br /> no published, peer-reviewed research on what is effective and safe. While this evidence <br /> gap may be filled in the future, to do so will require time and money. <br /> Vill. Actions Items <br /> A. Resolution on Access to Care <br /> Ms. Phillips-Weiner presented The Resolution on Immigration Enforcement and Access to <br /> Public Health Resources on behalf of the Access to Care Committee. Ms. Phillips-Weiner <br /> explained that the resolution's purpose is to promote access to health-promoting public health <br /> resources for everyone. <br /> S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas &Abstracts\2025 Agenda and Abstracts/ <br /> September Page 3 <br />