Agenda - 08-25-2008 - c1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~C~ ORANGE COUNTY ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: Robert Davis, Current P/arming Supervisor From: Rich Shaw, ERCD Land Conservation Manager Date: July i, 2008 Subject: Efland Commons -Major Subdivision Proposal Thank you for the opportunity to review a Preliminary Plan for the "Efland Commons" major subdivision proposal. The proposed development would be located on 12.88 acres off School House Road, adjacent to Efland-Cheeks Elementary School (Cheeks Township). ERCD staff comments on subdivisions are generally to a) address any concerns with respect to potential impacts on important natural or cultural resources, and b) identify any areas that might be desirable for possible dedication to the County for public recreation/open space pursuant to Section N-B-7-b of the Orange County Subdivision Ordinance. My comments on this proposal are based on an examination of the submitted "Conventional Preliminary Plan" (dated 5/22/08) and a "Conservation Cluster Flexible Development Plan" (6/5/08) and a review of ERCD's comprehensive resource database. The Conventional Plan shows 45 proposed lots along five streets (2 existing). The home sites are enveloped by 5.2 acres of Open Space (40.37%) -most of which is linear space around the perimeter of the development. A portion of the Open Space (approx. 1 acre) is located in the center of the development and surrounded by the backside of 16 home sites. Another part of the Open Space would help to buffer a stream that flows through the. northwest corner of the property. The Conventional Plan includes a cul-de-sac with a 30-foot-wide accessway to the western perimeter Open Space. Immediately west of that Open Space (and proposed cul-de-sac) is Open Space /Common Property within the adjacent. Richmond Hills subdivision. Richmond- Hills has a 100-foot-wide easement along its eastern property boundary for a connector trail to Efland-Cheeks Elementary School (located immediately south). People in the Richmond Hills community use that easement to access a gateway to the School and to the County's Efland-Cheeks Community Park. It would be good to enable the residents of Efland Commons to access that same walkway and gateway into the School/Park complex. The Flexible Development Plan shows 27 proposed lots along four streets (2 existing). The proposed 5.79 acres of Open Space (44.96%) is divided by the proposed road network into six areas. One area would help to buffer the northwestern stream. Another portion would provide a common area surrounded by the backside of 13 home sites. About one-half of the Open Space would be clustered in the eastern half of the development on both sides of the existing Tannin Road (although 3 home sites are embedded within the Open Space). Environment and Resource Conservation PO Box 8181 / 306-A Revere Road Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919) 245-2590