Orange County NC Website
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Chris <br />Efland said that in the beginning of this process they were told that this would be a walking trail. <br />They went to the Recreation and Parks Advisory Council, who voted against a walking trail. She <br />made reference to a letter that was written from the Recreation and Parks Advisory Council to the <br />County Commissioners. They then went to the Planning Department. She said that one of the <br />big issues that Craig Benedict did not mention was that it was a concern of the Planning Board <br />that it was a requirement in order for them to divide the property that they had to give to the <br />County this property instead of the County compensating them for the property. <br />Mike Efland said that the wildlife corridor was never mentioned at the beginning of the <br />process. Chris Efland made reference to a document entitled "land suitability" that says the <br />County does not want the land if it is in a flood plain, and the County wants the recreation areas <br />to be located on relatively flat land, meaning 0 -7 Y2% slopes. This land in question is 11 % slope <br />and is in a flood plain. She said that the land did not qualify on the County's own terms. She <br />said that she was faxed the 22 -page document by accident. She was only supposed to receive <br />seven pages, was asked to destroy the other 15 pages, and did not. She said that it was their <br />fifth - amendment right to own the land and for the County not to take it. She asked that the <br />County Commissioners vote in their favor, allowing them to pay a payment -in -lieu instead of <br />forcing them to give up a portion of their land. She said that this land has been in the family for <br />five generations. Mike Efland asked why it was so important that the County get this property. <br />Chris Efland asked that if the Board votes against them, that the Board provide in writing the <br />reasons for that action, sent from the Board and not the Planning Department. Mike Efland said <br />that he felt it was extortion for the County to require the land dedication, when the subdivision <br />meets all of the zoning requirements. Chris Efland asked about the appeal process. Geoffrey <br />Gledhill said that they could choose to not subdivide their land or take the County to court. <br />Dot Efland read a prepared statement. In summary, she said that most all of the <br />Efland's that live in Efland were landowners and were good stewards of the land. She said that <br />they were asking only to subdivide the land and not to build a subdivision. She said that she had <br />not known any land that had public access that was not a breeding ground for crime and violence. <br />She made reference to an article that says that according to the Fifth Amendment, people can not <br />take land from an owner without ample compensation. She asked the Commissioners to vote in <br />their favor for this land to be divided in a simple, straightforward manner. <br />Linda Efland Richardson read a prepared statement. In summary, she said that the <br />Efland's treasured the history and natural state of the land. She said that the only time the <br />natural state of the creek was altered was when the County came in and put in sewer lines. She <br />said that it would be disastrous to permit public use of this stream land as a safe haven for illegal <br />activities. <br />William Efland said that the Planning Board bothers him. He asked who hired the <br />members of the Planning Board. He said that the rules for subdividing land seem to change <br />often. He said that he visited the Planning Department and the process for dividing a small piece <br />of property seems cumbersome. <br />Robert Nichols agreed with everything that has been said on this issue. He owns land <br />on McGowen Creek and he has it leased to some people for deer hunting. He has heard the <br />statement "wildlife corridor' and said that the entire County was a wildlife corridor. He is opposed <br />to the public having access to this property. <br />Ben Lloyd asked about the dedications and who pays for the land and who determines <br />the price. Chair Carey said that the amount was determined by the Zoning Ordinance. Ben Lloyd <br />asked if the intent of this wildlife corridor was to join this property with the Duke Property that was <br />3( <br />