Minutes 11-18-2025-Business Meeting

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13 spoke of is something that the applicant is electing into and is not a minimum requirement of the RCD District. Don Sever explained what each color means on the diagram. The black areas are the riparian buffers, red indicates the property line buffer, and the green areas are secondary tree protection areas. Commissioner Carter observed that, compared to the recently approved Rigsby property, this site plan showed more lots in proximity to buffers. Don Sever said, in his mind, there is green space in almost all cases before the riparian buffer. Commissioner Carter noted the soil evaluation showing 10 sites requiring subsurface drip systems. Cal Rider, environmental consultant, explained that while some lots encompass subsurface drip soil, many could still accommodate conventional systems. Commissioner Fowler said she saw that four lots were tested for their ability to have septic drain fields and could see that they had both the primary and the repair fields in those diagrams. She asked if it turns out that the primary and repair fields cannot fit on a lot, if that lot would not be developed or if another type of septic system would be built. Cal Rider said they may be forced to have a drip repair or would have to do a lot-line shift, or, if it's not feasible, just wouldn't use that lot. Commissioner Fowler asked if the applicant had considered a community septic system. She asked if there would be room on the site. Donna Crowder said the applicant did consider a community septic system but didn't feel the county would be comfortable with a community septic or that the Board would consider it. Commissioner Fowler asked for alternatives if this plan is not approved by the Board. She mentioned that originally, there was a 42-acre conventional proposal with one acre per lot. Taylor Perschau said if the applicant proposed 42 conventional lots, they would be required to request rezoning. Commissioner Fowler clarified that if this plan is not approved, the applicant could do 20 lots without coming back to the Board for approval, or they could come back with the 42-acre lot plan. She noted that the 42-acre lot plan did not include any trails like the plan before the Board. Taylor Perschau said Vice-Chair Fowler's understanding is correct. Commissioner Fowler asked if septic fields would have to be approved by Orange County Environmental Health. Cal Rider said yes. Donna Crowder emphasized they'd invested nearly two years and substantial funds in the project, believing they were providing what the county wanted through compact subdivision design. They indicated time constraints under their contract wouldn't allow for resubmission. Commissioner McKee asked if the project was then designed around what they thought would be approved rather than what was best for the community and what would be the best use of the land. Donna Crowder said her understanding is that it was one and the same. She said the goal was to give the Board what they want to see, in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner McKee asked what the limited use of the trails meant. Beth Trahos said it means the trails would be accessible to all members of the community. She said the property owner currently allows Eno River Academy to use the land free of charge, and the school would like that to continue. She said the conditions for the property include cooperation between the Homeowner's Association and Eno River Academy for use of the trails for cross-country and access to the stream for teaching purposes. She clarified that they wouldn't want any liability burden to be on the Homeowner's Association, so that would have to be negotiated between those groups.