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17 <br /> ri <br /> xet � <br /> 1 w.«w. ... <br /> 2 Vice-Chair Fowler asked about concerns regarding roads in riparian buffers or sensitive areas, <br /> 3 noting that the design appeared to avoid such areas while showing what appeared to be lakes or <br /> 4 artificial retention ponds. <br /> 5 Kirk Vaughn acknowledged that while the site was large for an elementary school (needing only <br /> 6 about 16 acres), there are considerable constraints, requiring site testing to ensure sufficient space for <br /> 7 the elementary school. <br /> 8 Councilmember Jonathan White asked what the process is like for a new school construction. <br /> 9 Kirk Vaughn said that the county appropriated design and construction money, but all three <br /> 10 parcels were planned for annexation into Mebane, making it a Mebane planning conversation. <br /> 11 Ashley Ownbey confirmed ongoing annexation discussions, which would require establishing <br /> 12 Mebane zoning. Schools and athletic fields both required special use permits, necessitating three public <br /> 13 hearings related to the school site,triggered by the request to connect to city utilities. <br /> 14 Mayor Hooks emphasized traffic concerns on West Ten Road, stressing the need for turn lanes <br /> 15 and proper planning to avoid parking on road shoulders like some Alamance County schools. He hoped <br /> 16 the planning process would involve DOT through Traffic Impact Analyses. <br /> 17 Mebane City Manager Richard White III pointed out the curvy line on the map's right side, <br /> 18 explaining that it provided stacking space to prevent traffic from backing into the roadway by keeping <br /> 19 vehicles on campus. <br /> 20 Vice-Chair Fowler asked whether elementary school access to the middle school could use back <br /> 21 roads to avoid main road congestion. <br /> 22 Kirk Vaughn confirmed that bus loops for both schools would connect through the same road, <br /> 23 allowing connection through both drop-off zones. <br /> 24 Councilmember Jonathan White asked whether Orange County School Board would meet with <br /> 25 Mebane's planning department and go through Technical Review Committee (TRC) processes like any <br /> 26 other construction <br /> 27 Ashley Owenby confirmed this standard procedure, noting their monthly meetings and recent <br /> 28 sessions with design teams, engineers for traffic studies, and site design. <br />