Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19921119MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY ASSEMBLY OF GOVERNMENT NOVEMBER 19, 1992 The Orange County Assembly of Governments meeting was held on Thursday, November 19, 1992 at 6:00 p.m. at the Homestead Community Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairman Moses Carey, Jr, and Commissioners Don Willhoit, Verla Insko, and Alice Gordon. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Stephen Halkiotis. BOARD OF ALDERMEN PRESENT: Mayor Ellie Kinnaird and Aldermen Jacqueline Gist, and Francis Shetley. CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Kenneth Broun and Council Members Julie Andresen, Joseph Herzenberg, Joyce Brown, Joseph Capowski, Mark Chilton, and Art Werner. HILLSBOROUGH BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Mayor Horace Johnson, Commissioners Evelyn Lloyd, Allen Lloyd, Bob Rose, and Remus Smith. INTRODUCTION: Chairman Carey and Mayors Johnson, Kinnaird, and Brown welcomed the participants and observers to the meeting. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GOALS UPDATE: Mayor Broun stated that the Council is not ready at this time to discuss goals and objectives. The Council has decided that they need to discuss solid waste management goals among themselves prior to holding group meetings. After discussing the possible ways of proceeding with this issue, it was decided that each unit of government will meet to discuss the solid waste management goals and objectives. Each group will decide upon a list of issues and concerns that need to be addressed. In mid-January a meeting will be held with representatives of each governmental unit in attendance. OWASA PRESENTATION: Impact of New Watershed Protection Rules on University Lake and Cane Creek Watersheds Ed Holland discussed the impact of these rules on the University Lake and Cane Creek Watersheds. He indicated that generic water supply protection issues were wastewater, spills, animal operations, cropland runoff, urban runoff, and suburban runoff. He also summarized the EMC watershed rules. A copy of his presentation is in the Permanent Agenda File in the Clerk's office. He indicated that the new regulations address urban and suburban runoff from new developments. It was found that a higher density development created less pollutants than a lower density development. He also indicated that the regulations state that the EMC can adopt stricter standards if they designate the watershed as "critical". The "critical" designation is not to be confused with "water quality critical area" in a watershed. Marvin Collins asked Mr. Holland to address the effect ors agricultural uses of the "critical area" designation. Mr. Holland indicated that the "critical area" designation is a separate issue from the designation of a Water Quality Critical Area around a reservoir. The regulatory requirements which are applicable in a "water quality critical area" do not apply when asking for "critical area" designation for an entire watershed. The critical watershed designation applies to development restrictions, not agricultural restrictions. The major impact for the watershed is that Governmental jurisdictions could not enact watershed regulations that were less stringent than those currently in effect. The towns should be in compliance by July 1, 1993. On January 1, 1994 the County needs to have adopted local ordinances which meet or exceed the state standards. Hazardous waste plans also need to be in place on that date. CANE CREEK STUDY PLAN: Back up material is in the Permanent Agenda File in the Clerk's office. This study is similar to the University Lake study completed several years ago. They will determine existing pollution sources and recommend best management practices. Much of the information gathered will be able to be placed on their own GIS system which will allow less reliance on paid consultants. The Watershed Advisory Committee will consist of citizens, particularly Cane Creek landowners, local government liaisons and technical support from local planners, SCS staff, University staff, and paid consultants. The proposed schedule calls for completion of the water quality monitoring program with 2 implementation by late 1993 or early 1994. The completed study will be forwarded to all local units of government. Ms. Herring commented that occasionally homeowners in the rural buffer asked to have the service area extended to their property. When their property is extremely close to an existing line it is difficult to justify denying the request. She asked that this issue be discussed with the intent of establishing guidelines for• exceptions. It was the consensus of the group to postpone discussion of this issue until a future date when it would be possible to have background information available for participants to read and review. There being no further items to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. 3