Agenda - 06-29-2000-5a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

D~a~~ 1 Benedict reiterated the staff's position that the staff does find that the two amendments meet the 2 criteria established within the joint planning agreement and the comprehensive plan text 3 amendment changes. The staff is recommending that the Planning Board recommend the 4 amendments to the County Commissioners for adoption. 5 6 Holtkamp asked about the concerns of Carrbora. 7 - s Benedict said that Carrboro's concerns have to do with the impacts to the wells that are in the 9 `general area of the quarry. He said that since there was a lot of rock in that area, there is not 1o much water in the strata. The discussions between American Stone, OWASA, Carrboro, and the 11 residents have been primarily on the ability to monitor wells in the area and find out if there is a 12 problem related to the quarry operation and not the existing geology of the azea. 13 14 Goodwin asked if there had been any consideration of running OWASA water to the residents in 15 the quarry area. 16 17 Benedict said that this has been discussed. There has been afive-yeaz process to develop a water 1 s and sewer boundary agreement between Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Orange County, 19 and OWASA. This happens to be a rural buffer area where water and sewer would not be 20 extended. He said that the well situation in the quarry area has not risen to a level of it being a 21 major public health risk. The failure rates of water and sewer systems that are occurring in the 22 County are not too different than what is occurring in the quarry area. 23 24 Gooding-Ray asked if these amendments would affect the County's ability to revoke the Special 25 Use Permit. 26 27 Benedict said that after these two items, if it were approved through the process, the Special Use 28 Permits would have additional protection. The County can revoke a permit any time there is a 29 violation. It is intended that there will be additional mitigation measures and stricter regulations 30 an the conduct of the quarry than there is now. He said that the staff would suggest that a 31 Planned Development Industrial zoning district come forwazd where the uses would be limited 32 just for quarry and water resource operations. 33 34 Katz mentioned that at the public hearing, it was suggested that the failure rate of the wells in the 35 quarry area was much greater than the average failure rate in the County. He asked if this had 36 been denied. He also asked about the instances of foundation damage that were noted by the 37 residents. He made reference to the official from American Stone that stated that in 30 years 38 there had been one complaint, which was not their fault. The afficial did not stay after he spoke 39 to listen to the people who had signed up to speak. He believes that the problems with the wells 4o in the quarry azea are a result of the blasting and the quazry operations. He made reference to the 41 3000-foot radius from the quarry that American Stone is claiming some responsibility. There 42 has been a motion to extend this to 6000 feet and he agrees that it should be extended. He made 43 reference to the chart that Benedict showed eazlier that indicated the population increases in the 44 County over the next 30 years. He said that he did not know if the existing hole at the quarry 45 would fill the water needs of the County in 2050. He said that there have been conflicting 46 statements about the capacity and the needs. 47 48 .Benedict said that there was an extensive discussion at the public heazing about water supply, 49 demand, capacity, and availability. He said that the quarry operation has to do with one issue.