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It is staff's opinion that from an operational and financial perspective Sites #857 and <br />#573 (Hillsborough) and Site #669 (Eubanks Road) are superior. Unfortunately, we <br />believe these sites are not pragmatic options. From past experience and current <br />statements of some of Hillsborough's leaders we believe that the Town of Hillsborough <br />would consider annexation or other uncooperative measures to prohibit the permitting <br />and utilization of either of these sites for a transfer station and possibly even withhold <br />public utilities approvals. Site #669 is not a realistic due to environmental justice <br />concerns and perceptions and a process Town of Chapel Hill. staff has previously <br />indicated would include a rezoning and special use permit possibly taking two years. <br />Site 759 is owned by OWASA and is already dedicated to pubic use. OWASA has <br />indicated an unwillingness to sell and there may be a reluctance to acquire another public <br />entity's. property through use of eminent domain. We believe this site would work fine as <br />a location for a transfer station. While it is my understanding and full confidence that the <br />land application of biosolids is being conducted within strict adherence to all <br />environmental regulations and standards, I am a little concerned that there might be some <br />discrete or delayed impacts found that may over time be improperly attributed to the <br />transfer station or inappropriately cast suspicion that the transfer station was a source. By <br />this property being in the public domain, we believe it better suited to act as a buffer to <br />the adjoining West 54 LLC (Howell) property. If this site is ultimately selected we <br />would recommend proceeding directly to an Environmental Impact Statement rather than <br />beginning with an Environmental Assessment. <br />Site 779 (Dodson property) is amulti-generational farm that the owner has no interest in <br />selling. There are two other very similar options available in sites #056 and #759 that we <br />think should be considered by the BOCC before this site, since it is similarly situated. It <br />is very probable eminent domain will be necessary to acquire this site. <br />Staff believes that all three of the final candidate sites would be satisfactory sites for a <br />transfer station. Staff believes that the site search process has been rigorous, fair, and <br />reflective of the priorities and perspectives of the BOCC. Staff believes that continued <br />debate will not add substantively to the process or to the information already presented. <br />Staff further believes it reasonable to consider that maintaining both an urban and rural <br />waste management facility is equitable, given that the existing Eubanks Road facilities <br />date to the early 1970's and will continue to contribute to supporting Orange County <br />waste management functions. Therefore we believe that the entire Site #056 property <br />should be acquired so that future Board's may have waste management options other than <br />Eubanks Road. We believe it is now time to make a decision and proceed expeditiously <br />with property .acquisition, site plan development and permitting. We should make every <br />effort to have the facility ready when the landfill reaches capacity in late spring- early <br />summer 201 1. <br />6 <br />