Agenda - 10-07-2008- 7b - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

160 Page 2 of 4 character, etc.). Kids in the neighborhood could walk to their neighborhood school, eliminating the need for school buses. Besides saving school districts transportation costs, this one act would address several other important concerns as well: reducing obesity in children (by getting kids to walk), reduction in our dependence on foreign oil, and the reduction i~n the emission of greenhouse gases. T would definitely Like to see the establishment of small neighborhood schools encouraged in the CP. Of course, this would require intergovernmental cooperation (school board, city council, county commissioners), something again supported by the county commissioners. I am aware that in many cases, this would racially and culturally segregate schools, because neighborhoods in which people live continue to be racially and culturally segregated. However, I contend that schools are not the place to artificially force integration. Instead, incentives need to be put in place to encourage neighborhoods to voluntarily integrate themselves; and then, in turn neighborhood schools will naturally become integrated. Mixed-use zoning and perhaps tax incentives might hasten the. resolution of this problem. I also recognize that mixed use zoning in existing neighborhoods, and small schools within each neighborhood are not in the public consciousness yet; however, with the continued rise in gas prices, I believe people will start to find this idea more and more appealing, and then with proper marketing, I think the public could really come around. The public needs to be made aware that in many different places around the world, businesses, public buildings, and residences have coexisted for a long time in very charming ways. They are very lovely, delightful places to live. Finally, to encourage water conservation in existing neighborhoods, incentives (perhaps tax credits) should be given to property owners who recycle water by installing rain catchment devices, and cisterns. Point number two: Improve the safety of our roadways by adding adequate lighting and shoulders to existing roads. The Comprehensive Plan talks about the changing demographics in the county, how the number of elderly will continue to increase over the years in Orange County, and that the county will need to plan accordingly. As one ages, one needs more light to see well at night. Therefore it is necessary that Orange County improve the lighting on our roadways. Presently, the lighting on .our roads is either grossly inadequate or non-existent all together. In addition, many of our roadways are very unsafe because of a lack of shoulders. I feel. very unsafe driving at night in Orange County, and most other places in North Carolina. With respect to future road construction, the Plan should stress that roads be constructed in a way that minimizes fuel usage, as well as fosters safety. To this end, 6/6/2008