HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2005-080 Orange County Soccer Center Site Plan Revision/Electrical Easements,' `~
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Resolution authorizing aboveground sub feeder distribution lines and
underground service lines and related facilities on County-owned Soccer
Center property located on West Ten Road east of, and adjacent to, the
Middle School #3 and authorizing the County Manager and County Attorney
to negotiate with-Duke Power Company to place the easements
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners approved, on June 23,
2004, both a Special Use Permit for the Orange County Middle School #3 and a
concept plan for the proposed Orange County Soccer Center; and
WHEREAS, both properties and associated facilities are located within the
Buckhom Economic Development District (EDD), a zoning district with specific
development standards; and
WHEREAS, Duke Power Company has notified Orange County that it will require
a 30-foot easement on the soccer center property in order to locate an
aboveground sub feeder distribution line intended to serve the Buckhom EDD;
and
WHEREAS, the Buckhorn EDD specifies that all utility lines shall be located
underground as a part of zoning appprova{ for specific developments; and
WHEREAS, the EDD Manual does not specify whether or not sub feeder
distribution lines installed by a North Carolina public utility for serving a wide area
are subject to the underground requirement; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Director is not authorized to approve any aboveground
electric utility as a part of a specific development approval; and
WHEREAS, only the Board of County Commissioners may approve granting of
easements on County-owned property for utility lines and authorize instal{ation of
aboveground lines; and
WHEREAS, Duke Power Company will be asked to provide the County with a
map of the proposed location of the sub feeder distribution easements that
shows the least impact on existing trees and environmentally-sensitive areas on
the northern end of the soccer center property; and
WHEREAS, Duke Power Company will be asked to provide the County with a list
of appropriate tree and shrub species that may be installed within the easements
and will be asked to provide assurances that landscaping and other
improvements such as sidewalks, entrance drives and parking installed by the
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County will not be cut, destroyed, or removed without County Manager approval
in writing;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of
Orange County, North Carolina hereby authorizes the County Manager and
County Attorney to negotiate, consistent with the recitals herein, the placement of
utility easements and to cause a survey of the physical location where structures
and power lines on the Soccer Center property will be located prior to beginning
any work toward installation of aboveground sub feeder distribution lines and
underground service and related facilities to provide electrical service to the
Soccer Center and Orange County Middle School #3; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the aboveground easement shall be located
to minimize impact on existing vegetation along West Ten Road and along the
common property line of Orange County Middle School #3 and the Soccer
Center by placing the 30-foot easement at a sufficient distance from existing and
scheduled trees to alleviate the potential damage to the lines by fallen trees; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the impact to the environmentally sensitive
areas (vernal pools, wetlands) located at the northern end of the Soccer Center
property be minimized by placing support structures in locations that will allow
lines to span sensitive areas to avoid disturbing and driving across them when
constructing the support structures, power lines and other facilities and when
maintaining the support structures, power lines and other facilities.