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18 <br /> Preston Mitchell credited Orange County and Orange County Schools for reaching out very early <br /> in the process, describing their team as "very impressive" and expecting continued quality collaboration. <br /> b) Potential Recreation Considerations <br /> The construction of a new Elementary School at this site will have two impacts on the recreation <br /> options in that part of the county. First and most directly, the use of the land for education will <br /> permanently set the boundaries of the Soccer.com Center, which was previously set to expand. <br /> However, the construction of parking lots for the elementary school will provide additional <br /> parking for soccer events during off-school hours. The County already has a use agreement with <br /> the school district for use of parking during off-school hours. The second impact for recreation <br /> options is still being explored during the school design process. Municipal, County and School <br /> District staff are reviewing the possibility of expanding the gymnasium for the new elementary <br /> school for community and recreational use. Staff are planning a trip to Rashkis Elementary School <br /> to review a prior experience of oversizing an elementary school gymnasium for community uses. <br /> Travis Myren explained that Orange County's school capital funding policy engaged municipalities <br /> regarding recreational facilities and building capacity for recreational facilities in new schools. He asked <br /> Preston Mitchell or Richard White to discuss potential use as a recreation center. <br /> Richard White confirmed discussions about partnership opportunities with the school district for <br /> recreation facilities to expand their programming.They had explored shared gym use, designing facilities <br /> to meet both city and school needs,and had ongoing conversations about appropriate gym size for shared <br /> use. <br /> Sean Ewing said it seems counter-intuitive to him to have a school in the economic development <br /> district. <br /> Preston Mitchell said one of the unique aspects of this property was that it was owned by Orange <br /> County already. He said Mebane staff did encourage the stacking space to give them options, but it doesn't <br /> solve all the school traffic and risks from industrial traffic. He noted that NCDOT said West Ten was <br /> widened and can handle the additional traffic. A traffic impact analysis will have to be done as part of <br /> City's zoning. <br /> Commissioner McKee speculated that most future development would likely occur West back <br /> toward Buckhorn Rd., and should not impact the proposed school. <br /> Tim Bradley asked why the middle school wasn't annexed, the elementary school would be. <br /> Preston Mitchell said there is a partnership opportunity for recreation facilities, and it also <br /> prevents a donut hole in terms of Mebane's zoning jurisdiction, which would otherwise create an issue. <br /> He explained that the benefit to OCS is they get in-city utility rates, and there are density benefits. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said from the school board side, a benefit is having the K-8 campus and <br /> improving parking at the middle school and soccer facility. She emphasized the opportunities of the <br /> shared gym. <br /> Chair Hamilton highlighted the importance of the elementary school being in Mebane because <br /> that is where the population is growing. <br /> c) Potential Emergency Management/Sheltering Considerations <br /> As new public schools and recreational facilities are proposed, the inclusion of features that <br /> improve resilience and support community protective actions during disasters should be <br /> evaluated. The County maintains agreements with the school systems for the use of facilities as <br /> mass care shelters and recommends that all new schools be developed with this in mind. By <br /> incorporating criteria from the American Red Cross, projects can gain the secondary benefit of <br />