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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-01-1996 - 9b ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 1, 1996 Action Agenda Item SUBJECT: Reconsideration of Sibling Pine Estate -Preliminary Plan DEPARTMENT: PLANNING PUBLIC HEARING Yes_X_No BUDGET AMENDMENT Yes_X—No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Willis Extension 2583 Resolution of Approval Application Vicinity Map TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Private Road Justification Hillsborough- 732-8181 Staff Analysis of Private Road Justification Durham - 688-7331 8/21/95 Planning Board Minutes Mebane -227-2031 Draft 8/7/96 Planning Board Minutes Chapel Hill - 967-9251 Preliminary Plan(distributed with 9/3/96 agenda) PURPOSE: Reconsideration of the Preliminary Plan for Sibling Pine Estate Subdivision. BACKGROUND: Property Location and Description The property is located in Eno Township on the east side of Pleasant Green Road (SR 1567). It is zoned Agricultural Residential and Lower Eno Protected Watershed. The property is wooded with large residential lots to the north and south. The tract is 30.64 acres in size with seven (7) new residential lots proposed that average 4.38 acres in size. Road Access The new lots will have access to Pleasant Green Road via Sibling Pine Drive, a proposed new private road. The applicant's private road justification and the Planning Staffs analysis are attached. The private road is justified through the subdivision's location in the Lower Eno Protected Watershed, lots that are over twice the minimum lot size and side and rear setbacks that are over twice the 2 minimum required. Also, the subdivision will not be visible from Pleasant Green Road. The Planning Staff recommends that the proposed private road meet class B standards. Watershed Protection The property is located in the Lower Eno Protected Watershed Overlay District. Watershed protection requirements in Article 6.23 of the Zoning Ordinance prohibit the use of easements for off-site septic systems, except as needed for repair area. Septic Disposal Each lot will have an individual well and septic system. The area suitable for septic disposal is limited to the north side of the proposed private road. The septic disposal area for lot 7 is connected to the remainder of the lot by a 30' strip approximately 1150 feet in length. The septic disposal area for lot 6 is similarly connected by a strip approximately 800 feet in length. Lot Layout Section IV-B-5a(Lot Layout) of the Subdivision Regulations states the following: The shape and orientation of lots shall be appropriate to the location of the subdivision and the development intended. Interior lot lines extending from a street should be approximately perpendicular or radial to the street right-of-way line. Lot lines shall be located ...... to maximize buildable area, and, where applicable, to provide a suitable area for septic systems. ....... The proposed design provides an area suitable for a septic system and repair area on each lot. Approximately 1/2 acre of lot 6, and 3/4 acre of lot 7 are contained in the strip which connects the septic disposal area to the buildable portions of the lots. Those strips are neither buildable, nor usable for septic disposal. Planning Staff Recommendation The Planning Staff finds that compliance with the intent of Section IV-B-5 (Lot Layout) of the Subdivision Regulations, and Article 6.23 (Watershed Protection) of the Zoning Ordinance is compromised in order to avoid the creation of septic easements, which are specifically prohibited in protected watersheds. The intent of these provisions would be better met through clustering lots in the northern portion of the property, and creating open space in areas where soils are not suitable. Another alternative would be to eliminate lots 6 and 7. 3 The Planning Staff recommended redesign of both the Concept Plan and the Preliminary Plan to eliminate the strips which connect the remote septic disposal areas to lots 6 and 7. Planning Board Recommendation The Planning Board approved the Concept Plan (7-3 vote, 8/21/95) and Preliminary Plan (6-2 vote, 8/7/96) as proposed, including the proposed configuration of lots 6 and 7. There was considerable discussion and questions of staff regarding the rationale for the prohibition of septic easements. Some Planning Board members indicated that a failure of a remote system which utilized a pump, would likely be identified and corrected more quickly than a closer system which relied on gravity. With exception of the two dissenting votes, the majority of Planning Board members felt that compliance with Environmental Health regulations was sufficient and that the location of the septic systems for lots 6 and 7 was not a major concern. Administration Recommendation On September 3, 1996, the Administration recommended approval of the proposed subdivision per the Planning Board recommendation, including the proposed configuration of lots 6 and 7. The Administration recommendation was based on technical compliance with Article 6.23 of the Zoning Ordinance (because no septic easements are being created) and compliance with Section IV-B-5a of the Subdivision Regulations (because an argument can be made that the buildable area within each lot is maximized given the constraints of soils suitability). Also, the average lots size of about 4.4 acres, more than four times the minimum allowed in the AR zoning district and L-ENO-PW protected watershed overlay district, contributes to watershed protection by providing justification for a private road (less clearing and impervious surface than a public road) and by creating less impervious surface than a more dense development. The Administration did recognize that the Planning Staff concerns regarding the lot layout and design of the Sibling Pine Estate Preliminary Plan have merit, and that a flexible development approach may have produced a subdivision design more in keeping with the intent of regulations regarding the use of septic easements. However, this development is not subject to the flexible development regulations, because it was initiated prior to their adoption, and the area to be used for septic disposal is contained within the boundaries of each individual lot. In order to obtain greater clarity on how such situations should be addressed in the future, the Administration also recommended that Subdivision Regulation and Zoning Ordinance provisions related to remote septic systems be revisited in the 4 context of the flexible development regulations for possible further consideration at the November 1996 Quarterly Public Hearing. September 3, 1996 Board of Commissioners Action On September 3, the Board of Commissioners approved Sibling Pine Estate with the condition that the lots be redesigned to eliminate the need for the strips connecting the buildable portions of lots 6 and 7 to their respective drainfields and repair areas. The applicant requested that the Board reconsider its action. The decision of the Board may be reconsidered under certain circumstances if so requested by a Commissioner who voted with the majority. Those circumstances are explained in a letter from the County Attorney received under separate cover, RECOMMENDATION: As the Board decides. ' • APPLICATION FOR Pr:EL,IMINARY PLAN APPROVAL MAJOR SUBDIVISION 5 • - ORANGE COUNTY si33 12Q�4 PLEAS"c TYPE OR PgiNT (INK ONLY) SUSCIVISION NAME: LOCATION: OWNER/DEVELOPER: ADDRESS: Air CA-ZLM/9 kLA- -4>?-- TELEPHONE NO.: AGEN— CONTAC"': N^C lAv��S�Je.�s `Y\C, TELEPHONE NO.: 732.—(a4(o L A. SUMMARY INFORMATION: Orange County Tax Map �_ Black Lot(s) _ Township 1='l�Lp Zoning Oistrict(s): /.',)R, L—X10—PV4 Total Number of Acres: Phases: Total Number of Lots: —_ Average Lot Size: Minimum Lot Size: 2.00 Ac- Number/Type of Structures: (existing) 1_401_� (proposed) -Z))1C-,Lr r—A:rA%Ll-f Lineal Feet in Streets: Al Ot Acres in Open Space: Water Supply: Public (soecify) Community yC Individual Wastewater Disposal: Public (specify) Community Individual School District•. Fire District: General Land Uses in Area: —04A jtS-r4'L061-- Critical Areas: streamidrainageways flood prone areas t--E710- Pvy watershed (specify) historic sites other (explain) Is the property to be subdivided currently under 'farm use value taxation'? Yes_No_. If "yes'. please contact the Orange County Tax Office. Subdivision of the properly may require payment of deferred taxes under 'farts use value taxation'. 8. All plats must be submitted on sheet no smaller than one inch equals two-hundred feet (1 2001 and no larger than one inch equals twenty feet (1' 20') and must contain the fo(lowing'information: •� ► `::>: subdivision name / " °.:!r°R zoning of tract and adjacent ✓ /'>':? name & address of owners) properties QJIA J& name & address of subdivider ✓ 2in building setback lines by notation (if other than owner) or typical lot layout T ✓ '< name of surveyor, engineer, '_ location and width of existing and _ landscape architect or architect, proposed easements (drainage, address, registration 0 and seal utilities, roads, etc.) n i (title► Preliminary Plan existing, proposed and adjoining / 77 scale, north arrow rights-of-way including dimensions ✓ = date (including revision dates) and street names and state road -=, _77- 's'? township, tax map-block-lot numbers. Lineal feet of road '-' references centerlines and approximate / ":rte= Parent Parcel Identification # acreage of now street rights-of- 7 : deed book and page !f of property way y V_ to be subdivided �/A existing and proposed utilities, cc Z' ` K boundary described with bearings including type, sizes, hydrants. E and distances valves. manholes co 4 x total acreage of the tract and �A existing and proposed curbs, U ..,. acreage of lots, including and gutters and culverts, including v excluding area within rights-of- sizes and grades- — t L way 1-1 location end width of alleys. N ✓ control comer sidjv44 w bks lanes,transit systems. and bus stops (please c.xnplete reverse side( i ;;,zcosec .at ,,nas .vtt'1 aim en dens _1 ✓ tyoical street cross-seCttons and !at u olocx numoers Intersection astal s :ncludln�; 6 &/A pnasing tines design and wtC;n cf ;reveiwev an ✓ SG__ moopraonv at ;en loot f 1 O) shoulders a mterveic horizontal alignmen, and general , water oodies, streams. floodwey ✓ f curve data 1puo::c roadsl -rf�- anc floccolains centerline radius cn all proposed stream buffers streets 1414 location and size of parcels permanent features such as dedicated for public use, buildings, cemeteries, historic recreationsi use or reserved in landmarks common, with purpose noted adjoining lot layout names of impervious surface data (if located adjoining property owners. If in water supply watershed) subdivided, subdivision plat name, v vicinity map showing general plat book & page number, and ice_ on of subdivision with streets }�.�,�JJ �f .' perimeter tot numbers. and roads n.r+•�fie� by =::ta road ,rn... location end size o: ots of L number and name restricted development potential landscaping and buffer and notation on plat regarding C. requirements same NA township, corporate and extra- stormwater detention and/or territorial planning jurisdiction lines retention sites anc undisturbed which cross the property areas for infiltration purposes (if located in water supply watershed) OT'f:R SUBMITTAL RECUIREMENTS 1. Twenty-five (251 copies of the preliminary plat. 2. One full size copy of an Orange County Tax map (with tax parcels involved clearly marked in penciii. Where municipal or OWASA sewer is not available, a copy of the Preliminary Plat indicating Health Department soils analysis approval/denial for each lot shown thereon. Where a private road is proposed a written statement by the applicant or his/her authorized revrosentative which sets forth the justification for a private road (see Section IV-8-3-d-1 of the Orange County Subdivision Regulations). Auxiliary documents, in draft form. prepared in accordance with Section Vl of.this Ordinance which assure completion and/or maintenance of improvements required by this Ordinance. Such documents may include, but not be limited to, a private road maintenance Acettz pant, and articles of incorporation and restrictive covenants pertaining to a homeowner's association. These documents may be required as necessary as evidence that the ordinance requirements are being met. Fee - $350.00 plus $5.00 per lot (1 fee for prcliminary and final plat). If the subdivision contains 10 lots or more the following information shall be sucmittad with the application: a. Number of years to buildout. b. Number of houses to be built during each year to buildout. C. Average price of houses including lots for each year to buildout. _ mt, hereby certify that the foregoing application is complete and accurate. p �ti c �t• 2e vT'S SIGNATI,I E // NER'S SIGNATURE DATE V O aunt y �• Oats Paid �� Receipt # 7 RESOLUTION OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Date September 3, 1996 Name of Subdivision Sibling Pine Estate Owner/Applicant Reizinald K. Degraffenreidt The Board of County Commissioners hereby approves Sibling Pine Estate subdivision preliminary plat,dated April 19, 1996 and containing 7 lots, subject to the fulfillment of requirements specified herein. Before the Final Plat of Sibling Pine Estate can be recorded: A. Sewage Disposal 1. Each residential lot shall contain an adequate area for septic disposal, and repair area, approved by the Orange County Division of Environmental Health. 2. Disclosure that the septic system location may restrict the size and location of improvements shall be included in a document describing development restrictions to be recorded concurrently with the Final Plat. The document shall also disclose that information regarding the tentative location of septic systems is available from the Orange County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health. B. Roads and Access 1. Sibling Pine Drive shall be constructed to Class B private road standards within a 60 foot right-of-way. Sibling Pine Drive shall be inspected, and the construction certified in writing to the Orange County Planning Department by a North Carolina Professional Engineer, or a North Carolina Registered Land Surveyor. The location of the travelway within the platted private road right-of-way shall also be certified. OR A letter of credit,escrow agreement, or bond shall be submitted to secure construction and inspection of Sibling Pine Drive to Class B private road 8 standards. An estimate of the construction and certification costs must be prepared by a certified/licensed engineer or grading contractor and submitted to the Planning and Inspections Department. The financial guarantee must reflect 110%of that estimate and be issued by an accredited financial institution licensed to do business in North Carolina. The document describing development restrictions to be recorded with the Final Plat shall state that the financial guarantee will not be released until the road construction has been certified by a North Carolina Professional Engineer or a North Carolina Registered Land Surveyor. 2. An erosion control plan for construction of the road shall be submitted by the applicant for review and approval by the Orange County Erosion Control Division. 3. A Private Road Maintenance Agreement for Sibling Pine Drive shall be submitted to the Planning and Inspections Department and approved by the County Attorney. 4. Sight triangles shall be provided as required by NCDOT. 5. An approved street name sign shall be erected at the intersection of streets as required in Section IV-B-3-c-12 of the Orange County Subdivision Regulations. Evidence shall be submitted by the applicant that the sign is in place or a copy of the receipt for purchase of the sign shall be submitted to the Planning Department. C. Land Use Buffers and Landscaping 1. Landscaping shall be installed or preserved as indicated on the approved landscape plan,and must be inspected and approved by the Planning and Inspections Department. The applicant shall secure landscape requirement installation and preservation through a letter of credit,escrow agreement,or bond. An estimate of the cost for required preservation,plantings and their installation must be provided. The financial guarantee shall reflect 110%of the estimate and be issued by an accredited financial institution licensed to do business in North Carolina. 2. Provisions for protection of existing trees as shown on the approved landscape plan shall be included in a document describing development restrictions and requirements to be prepared by Planning Staff and recorded concurrently with the Final Plat. 3. The approval includes a waiver of a Type A Land Use Buffer along Pleasant Green Road. 9 D. Drainage 1. Impervious surface data, as pursuant to Article 6.23.3 of the Zoning Ordinance shall be included in a document describing development restrictions and requirements to be prepared by Planning Staff and recorded concurrently with the Final Plat. 2. Locate drainage easements as required following review and approval of the Erosion Control Plan. E. Parkland 1. Cash in the amount of$2,730.00 shall be paid to Orange County as payment in lieu of parkland dedication. F. Miscellaneous 1. The Final Plat shall contain a title block and vicinity map in accordance with Section V-D-2 and V-D-3 of the Orange County Subdivision Regulations. 2. The following easements shall be shown on the plat: a. 60-foot private right-of-way for Sibling Pine Drive. 3. A setback of 40 feet shall be maintained as measured from the edge of the right-of-way of Sibling Pine Drive. Side yards shall be a minimum of 40 feet, and rear yards a minimum of 80 feet. These setback requirements shall be stated on the plat, and in a document describing development restrictions and requirements to be prepared by Planning Staff and recorded concurrently with the Final Plat. G. Certifications I. A Certificate of Survey and Accuracy signed by a registered Land Surveyor shall be notarized on the face of the Final Plat. 2. A Certificate of Declaration and Maintenance in the form provided in Section V-D-6-b of the Orange County Subdivision Regulations signed by the landowner and developer shall be on the face of the plat and included in a document describing development restrictions to be recorded concurrently with the Final Plat. 3. The Division of Environmental Health shall certify that each lot contains a suitable area for septic disposal. 10 4. A Certificate of Approval signed by the Orange County Planning and Inspections , Department. Signature of Applicant Clerk to the Board I, , accept the above listed conditions of subdivision approval, and acknowledge that each must be met prior to recordation of the final plat. Applicant Date ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT 11 306F REVERE ROAD HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27278 v , •t V L• i MEMORANDUM TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Emily Cameron, ASLA,Planner II/Landscape Architect's SUBJECT: Land Use Buffer Waiver Request- Sibling Pine Estate DATE: July 23, 1996 The attached land use buffer waiver request is submitted by Steve Yuhasz,RLS, on behalf of the applicants for Sibling Pine Estate, a major subdivision. The property is located in EnoTownship on the east side of Pleasant Green Road(SR 1567) across from St. Thomas Woods Subdivision. The applicants propose to divide 30.64 acres into seven(7) lots. A waiver is requested for a 30- foot Type A land use buffer on the 9450-square foot portion of lot I adjacent.to the right-of-way for Pleasant Green Road. The purpose of the buffer is to reduce impacts associated with a collector road adjacent to a residential land use. The applicants would like to be able to construct a bus shelter for school children in the required buffer area. Section IV-B-8-g of the Subdivision Regulations allows the Board of Commissioners to reduce or alter a required land use buffer shown on a Preliminary Plat when strict adherence to the ordinance would serve no useful purpose. In the case of lot 1 of Sibling Pine Estate,the configuration of the lot and the location of the building site relative to Pleasant Green Road justify a waiver of the 30-foot buffer requirement. The portion of lot 1 to be used for a residence is located over 400 feet from Pleasant Green Road, which serves the purpose of a buffer. A 40-foot building setback from road rights-of-way also applies to this portion of lot 1. However, according to Article 21.4 of the Zoning Ordinance, the bus shelter proposed by the applicant will not require a zoning compliance permit,provided is does not exceed 100 square feet in size or cost more than$100 to construct. Sibling Pine Estate ,kpplicant: Reginald K. Degraffenreidt 12 Zone: AR, L-ENO-PW LUP: Agricultural Residential and Lower Eno Protected Watershed -.699 o C 2!C l 7Y 7 �6 3'z3 ;< 6E✓7 s ^3 j I9J 1.93A —.� sc' AC i 3.522 E ST i N _ PINE 5A6 7 f- 40C 19355- a / -2 ZIJ `7�. "2 30X. ' °, 1AC. a B IJ3gq/ 6175 3.59A C 3 LIAC -' 7. 53 AC. \ 4104 ;//� ` 48 1107 >� 4.20 HC 2 73AC ! 0�1 1.66 / .32 AC. /��� !/ ' 7988 / 21 1 1.49 / �, D31� • AC. j 400 _ ------- 2.23AC ,%' HARRY' WALK 515 9-5 2.56 -C l P,�� 449 / c vr'00�?S /�3�. i C, .C4 X 035 1 1055 v 1 E3 58 1 �9�� 3 12.35 F4 g' C C. LEGEND • LC' OR PAKCE, NJMBER O :.SEMEN $ (GA4 OR _. __.— _- — Z)4,7E,MAP MARCH 2`5, 1 7-11-- 13 ENT L T 226 S. Churton St., Hillsborough, NC 732-6262 July 28, 1995 PRIVATE ROAD JUSTIFICATION SIBLING PINE ESTATE Sibling Pine Drive A private road in this subdivision is appropriate for the following reasons: I. The lots in this subdivision are significantly larger than required. All lots are at least twice the minimum lot size, and the average lot size (4.38 Ac.), is more than four times the required minimum. 2. This subdivision is in a protected watershed(L-ENO-PW), and a private road, requiring less grading and paving, will reduce the amount of impervious surface created. 3. This road, serving only seven lots, will never be extended to serve additional lots. Restrictive covenants will prohibit further subdivision of the proposed lots. 4. Larger than required setbacks (40'intemal, 80' external)will preserve the natural wooded buffer along the boundaries of these lots and help to preserve the rural character of the lots served by the private road. 14 ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT 306F REVERE ROAD HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27278 STAFF EVALUATION OF PRIVATE ROAD JUSTIFICATION SUBDIVISION: Sibling Pine Estate- Preliminary Plan DATE: July 12, 1996 The standards contained in the Subdivision Regulations pertaining to public and private roads are listed below. The Planning Staff comment regarding each is provided in italics. IV-B-3-d-1. Rfig-Public roads are generally required in all subdivisions and will be required where it is found that: 1. The subdivision roads would be accepted by the State for maintenance if: a) They are built in a manner which satisfies the minimum State design and construction criteria for subdivision roads; and (If the proposed private road was built to State standards, it would be accepted by the State when the required density is met.) b) They would satisfy other requirements for addition to the State maintenance system, including, but not limited to,the general density standard of at least two occupied residences for each one-tenth of a mile of subdivision road; or (According to the Department of Transportation, a road less than one mile in length must provide ingress and egress for at least S occupied permanent residences and have a minimum density of two houses per tenth of a mile. This private road will serve a total of 7 residences when the subdivision is fully developed NCDOT would consider this positively when reviewing any request for State maintenance. 2. The subdivision roads extend existing roads which are public; or (The subdivision road does not extend an existing public road.) 1 15 3. The subdivision roads are part of a development which is located in an area designated as Urban or Transition on the Orange County Comprehensive Plan; or (The subdivision is not located in a Transition Area as shown on the Comprehensive Plan) 4. A proposed road is designated as an arterial or collector on an approved Thoroughfare Plan for a municipality or in the Orange County Comprehensive Plan; or (The road is neither an arterial nor a collector.) 5. The subdivision roads are part of a non-residential development consisting of office,retail, industrial, and similar businesses, each located on a separate lot. This provision shall only apply to that portion of a subdivision being developed for non-residential purposes. (Not applicable) However,private roads may be allowed in a subdivision where, in the judgment of the Planning Board and with the approval of the Board of County Commissioners, it is found that the nature and location of the subdivision with respect to other development and the Comprehensive Plan are such that a private road is justified. In determining whether to permit private roads in subdivisions,the following design features will be considered: 1. The location and design of the subdivision is such that it clearly preserves the rural character of the County through: a. The provision of lot sizes and building setback lines significantly greater than required by ordinance provisions. Compliance with this standard is assured in University Lake Watershed where a subdivision is required to provide a minimum required lot size of five acres. Where the minimum required lot size is less than five acres, compliance is assured when each lot in the subdivision contains at least twice the minimum required lot size; and/or (All lots in the subdivision are more than twice the minimum lot area of.929 acres. The average lot size is 4.38 acres. Proposed building setbacks will be 40 foot side and 80 foot rear, which is much larger than the 20 foot required minimum. b. The retention and/or provision of landscaping and use of clustering of dwelling units to screen the view of the subdivision from public roads, maintain a wooded or forested character, maintain scenic 2 views, or preserve wildlife, botanical, historic, archaeological 16 and/or recreation sites. (The proposed subdivision will not be visible from public roads. The first lot is over 300 feet from Pleasant Green Road with woods between the road and the building site.) 2. The number, location and/or size of lots to be located in the subdivision are such that, even if constructed to State standards,the streets would not be accepted by the State for maintenance due to density or other State requirements; „ (Upon buildout, the subdivision will meet NCDOT density requirements.) 3. Recreation and/or open space areas, including lands containing significant botanical,wildlife,historic and/or archaeological sites, are to be dedicated and/or preserved through restrictive covenants in amounts significantly greater than required by standards for recreation/open space dedication. (Not applicable) 4. Significantly larger than required stream buffers and lot sizes,and/or other design features are proposed as part of a subdivision to be located in a Protected Watershed as designated on the Orange County Comprehensive Plan to reduce the amount of impervious surface and cause infiltration of storm water runoff to prevent the pollution of water supply reservoirs. (This subdivision is located in the Lower Eno protected watershed. A private road would create less disturbance and less impervious surface than a public road The lots are also significantly larger than required.) 5. Topographic and environmental features, such as streams, steep slopes, or watersheds, that would be adversely affected by the use of roads constructed to State standards because of factors such as significant amounts of earthwork(cut and fill)that would contribute to increased run-off of stormwater and siltation. (Building the road to State standards would require grading significantly more area than with the proposed private road. 6. The site is already developed to 100%of the capacity which could be achieved after approval of the subdivision and some or all of the non- conforming aspects of existing development on the site will be made more conforming as a result of the proposed subdivision, and all conforming aspects of the development will remain conforming. (Not applicable.) 3 17 7. There is only one subdivision road proposed. Its length does not exceed 350 feet. It serves no more than five lots. Its grade does not exceed nine percent. The land being subdivided is not connected to or is part of another subdivision required to be served by public roads. In addition,the average lot size within the subdivision is at least 40,000 square feet. (Not applicable) EVALUATION SUMMARY: The Planning Staff recommends that the proposed road be approved as a Class B private road based on its location in a protected watershed, the fact that large lots are proposed with larger than required setbacks and the subdivision will not be visible from the State maintained road. 4 r 8/21/95 Planning Board Minutes 18 u Howie indicated she would be in support of the Staff recommendation because of continuity of the road system and future development. MOTION: Katz moved to grant Mr. Carter's appeal. Seconded by Rosemond. Reid indicated agreement with the Staff concern about a rational way to extend the road, but noted he would like to grant Mr. Carter's appeal. . VOTE: 5 in favor. 5 opposed. A tie vote, the motion does not pass. MOTION: Reid moved to accept the recommendation of the Planning Staff. Seconded by Barrows. VOTE: 6 in favor. 4 opposed (Hoecke - principle, felt the spirit of the law was being violated; Rosemond - reasons already stated; Jobsis - felt it was not a road extension, but a driveway; Katz -reasons already stated. Katz asked that this issue be referred to the Ordinance Review Committee for study and possible revision/amendment. b. Concept Plans (1) Sibling Pine Estates Presentation by Eddie Kirk. The property is located in Eno Township on the east side of Pleasant Green Road (SR 1567) . It is zoned Agricultural Residential and Lower-Eno,----- - - Protected Watershed. The property is wooded with large acreage residential lots to the north and south. The tract is 30.64 acres in size with seven (7) new residential lots proposed that average 4.38 acres in size. Each lot will have an individual well and septic system. The new lots will have access to Pleasant Green Road via Sibling Pine Drive, a proposed new private road. The applicant's private road justification and the Planning Staff's analysis _ are attachments to these minutes on pages,;�3-,7,7. The private road is justified through the subdivision's location in a protected watershed, the large lots and larger than required setbacks. 19 Also, the subdivision will not be visible from Pleasant Green Road. The Planning Staff recommends that the proposed private road meet Class B standards. The area suitable for septic disposal is limited to the north side of the proposed private road. The septic disposal area for lot 7 is connected to the remainder of the lot by a 30' strip approximated 1150 feet in length. The septic disposal area for lot 6 is similarly connected by a strip approximately 800 feet in length. The property is located in the Lower Eno Protected Watershed Overlay District. Watershed protection requirements in Article 6.23 of the Zoning Ordinance prohibit the use of easements for off-site septic systems except as needed for repair area. The remote areas for septic disposal are connected to lots 6 and 7 in a manner which serves the same purpose as a septic easement. The proposed design does provide an area suitable for a septic system and repair area on each lot, including lots 6 and 7. The Subdivision Regulations do not contain specific standards relating to the shape of lots as applied to inclusion of septic areas disposal. There are specific numerical standards regarding the use of flag lots, which are similar in concept in that a narrow strip of land connects the buildable portion of the lot to a public or private road. For flag lots, the maximum length of the strip ranges from 308 to 700 feet, depending on the size of the lot. Although the specific numerical limitation on the length of the "flagpole" on a flag lot is not applicable to other features of lot design, it does, in the view of the Planning Staff; indicate an intent to minimize lot area included in long connecting strips. The proposed design does not maximize building for lot 6 and 7 in that approximately 24,00 square feet (1/2 acre) of lot 6, and 33,000square feet (roughly 3/4 acre) of lot 7 are contained in the strip which connects the septic disposal area to the buildable portion of the lots, rendering that area neither buildable nor usable for septic disposal. The Planning Staff finds that compliance of the proposed subdivision with the intent of Section IV-B-S (Lot Layout) of the Subdivision Regulations, as well as the intent of Article 6.2 . t 20• 3 (Watershed Protection) is compromised in order to avoid the creation of septic easements, which is specifically prohibited in protected water- r sheds. The intent of these provisions would be better met through an alternative design which ` could involve clustering of lots on the northern portion of the property where suitable soils are located, and creating open space in areas where soils are not suitable. Another alternative would be to eliminate lots 6 and 7. The Planning Staff recommends that the Concept Plan for Sibling Pine Estate be redesigned to eliminate the strips which connect remote septic disposal areas to lots 6 and 7. Steve Yuhasz, surveyor, stated that the lot design is to provide septic systems for lots 6 and 7. He continued that he did not understand the reasons for Staff's objections since the lots are designed in comformance with the Subdivision Regulations. The number of septic systems has has not been increased; any design would create 7 lots. He noted that redesigning the subdivision so that all lots are on the north side of the road would not maximize the building area for any of the lots. He also felt there was nothing in the Ordinance to suggest objection to the design of the subdivision. Katz asked why septic easements are not permitted in watersheds. Kirk responded that the intent was so there would not be offsite septic systems. Kirk continued that Staff also felt the intent of Section IV-H-S and Article 6.23 is compromised. Waddell stated that the concern was that long septic lines-might-be-subject to failure and would not be seen for a long period of time. Reid noted that he felt the reason this was not better clarified was that people do not understand the difference between the two systems. He continued that a pump system is an electronic system that has an alarm system. He noted that an alarm system could also fail, but, if the alarm fails, the area flooded is not the field, but the individual's yard where the tank itself is located. Waddell noted that a part of the concern was that the line could be cut or otherwise disturbed if it was in a remote area, on another property, and discharge could occur before reaching the 21 nitrification field. Walters commented that her concern with the lot layout related to serving on the E & R Board. There were odd shaped lots and two people were paying tax on the same lot. She felt there would be problems when lots were sold. Barrows noted that in flexible development discussions, one of the perks to encourage developers to use open space design was allowing offsite easements. She felt it should not be allowed for conventional subdivisions. Rosemond noted that her understanding was that this was not an easement and Yuhasz concurred. Barrows responded that she felt it was the same as an easement/offsite system in a watershed. Rosemond continued that this was more difficult since the technicality was not the same as a easement. Reid asked for clarification of the- "flags" that were set aside at the rear of Lot 5. Yuhasz responded that was the location of the nitrification field. He referred to a letter from Neal C. Floyd, Soil Scientist, included in the agenda materials and an attachment to these minutes on page ag MOTION: Reid moved acceptance of the Concept Plan for Sibling Pine Estate as drawn. Seconded by Katz. VOTE: 7 in favor. 3 opposed (Barrows - reasons already stated, Walters concerned with narrow lanes, Waddell - concurred with Barrows and Walters) . Reid stated that he felt there would be more subdivisions drawn the same as this due to the soils in Orange County and the regulations in effect. (2) La Mesa Presentation by. Emily Cameron. The property is located in the northeast corner of the county on the south side of Bacon Road between NC Highway 57 and the Person County line. It is currently zoned Agricultural Residential and Flat River Protected Watershed. In the Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan it is designated as Agricultural Residential and Water Neal NtOya - - t 22 August 7 , 1995 Steve Yuhazz ENT Land Surveys , Inc. 226 S. Churton Street i Hillsborough, NC RE: Sibling Pine Estate Lots 6 & 7 Dear Steve, I have reviewed Sibling Pine Estates to determine the feasibility of the design concerning lots 6 & 7 . The discussion about lots 6 and 7 is completely unwarranted when it comes to their onsite septic systema. The distance to pump or the potential pump size have no bearing on the success of wastewater systems . Historically, pumped systems, especially conventional pump systems, have performed superior to $cavity flow system=. Furthermore, pump technology and controls have been shorn to operate efficiently and "trouble free" over years of service. Denial of this type of lot design based on creating sewage systema problems is simply incorrect. Also, a quick review of the health departments guidelines doesn't remotely entertain system denial based on distance '' of pumping. It actually appears that refusal on this argument invalidates portions of the health department' s rules which is not possible by any other agency. If you have any questions, please contact me. Sincerely, "3 Neal C. Floyd Soil Scientist NCSSS 0 37 I 9 . 5108 BENIWCCO PLACE / RALEIGH. NORTH CARCUNA 276 L5 / 9.19-8717-7808 w Draft August 7, 1996 Planning Board Minutes 23 b. Concept Plans (1) Davi-Net (21 Lots-Eno Township) Presentation by Mary Willis. The property is located at the northwest intersection of Mr.Herman Church Road (SR 1713)and Old NC#10(SR 17 10)in Eno Township. It is zoned Rural Residential (R-1)and designated Lower Eno Protected Watershed(L-ENO-PW)in the Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan. The area proposed for development is 28.62 acres in size with 21 lots proposed.Lot sizes range from 40,000 square feet to 1.64 acres.The lots will be served by individual septic systems and a proposed community well. Access to the property is from Old NC#10. The streets will be public and constructed to NCDOT standards.All lots will receive access from the internal subdivision roads. The subdivision application materials were submitted on June 18, 1996,prior to the implementation date for the current Flexible Development provision.The Planning Staff recommended changes to the original design in order to improve access.The Subdivision Regulations in effect at that time required that the subdivision be presented to the Planning Board within 45 days of acceptance unless a longer period is approved by the applicant. The 45 day time limit would have been up on August 2. However,we have received a letter from the applicant indicating approval of a longer period. Due to the Planning Board meeting being moved up in July from the 15th to the 9th and the changes being made to the original design,the subdivision did not get on the July agenda. Based on these factors the subdivision is being considered under the provisions prior to the implementation date for the Flexible Development provisions. The Planning Staff recommends approval of the Concept Plan for Davi Net Subdivision with public roads built to State standards and two conditions: 1. All lots shall meet minimum lot size and lot width requirements. 2. All lots shall receive access from the internal subdivision roads. Preliminary Plans (1) Sibling Pine Estate (7 Lots-Eno Township) Presentation by Mary Willis. The property is located in Eno Township on the east side of Pleasant Green Road (SR 1567). It is zoned Agricultural Residential and Lower Eno Protected Watershed.The property is wooded with large acreage residential lots to the north 24 and south. The tract is 30.64 acres in size with seven(7)new residential lots proposed that average 4.38 in size. Each lot will have an individual well and septic system.The new lots will have access to Pleasant Green Road via Sibling Pine Drive,a proposed new private road. The applicant's private road justification and the Planning Staff s analysis are attachments to these minutes on pages The private road is justified through the subdivision's location in a protected watershed,the large lots and larger than required setbacks.Also,the subdivision will not be visible from Pleasant Green Road.The Planning Staff recommends that the proposed private road meet Class B standards. The area suitable for septic disposal is limited to the north side of the proposed private road. The septic disposal area for lot 7 is connected to the remainder of the lot by a 30'strip approximately 1150 feet in length. The septic disposal area for lot 6 is similarly connected by a strip approximately 800 feet in length. The property is located in the Lower Eno Protected Watershed Overlay District. Watershed protection requirements in Article 6.23 of the Zoning Ordinance prohibit the use of easements for off-site septic systems except as needed for repair area. The remote areas for septic disposal are connected to lots 6 and 7 in a manner which serves the same purpose as a septic easement. Section N-B-5a(Lot Layout)of the Subdivision Regulations state: The shape and orientation of lots shall be appropriate to the location of the subdivision and the development intended Interior lot lines extendingfrom a street should be approximately perpendicular or radial to the street right-of-way line.Lot lines shall be located.....to maximize buildable area an4 where applicable, to provide a suitable area for septic systems...... While the proposed design does provide an area suitable for a septic system and repair area on each lot,including lots 6 and 7,the proposed design does not maximize building for lots 6 and 7 in that approximately 2400 square feet(1/2 acre) of lot 6 and 3300 square feet(roughly 3/4 acre)of lot 7 are contained in the strip which connects the septic disposal area to the buildable portion of the lots,rendering that area neither buildable nor usable for septic disposal. The-Planning Staff finds that compliance of the proposed subdivision with the intent of Section IV-B-5(Lot Layout)of the Subdivision Regulations,as well as the intent of Article 6.23(Watershed Protection)is compromised in order to avoid the creation of septic easements,which is specifically prolu'bited in protected watersheds.The intent of these provisions would be better met through an alternative design which could involve clustering of lots in the northern portion of the property where suitable soils are located,and creating open space in areas where soils are not suitable. Another alternative would be to eliminate lots 6 and 7. At the August 21, 1995 Planning Board meeting the Planning Staff recommended that the Concept Plan for Sibling Pine Estates be redesigned to eliminate the strips which connect remote septic disposal areas to lots 5 and 7.However,in a 7 to 3 vote the Planning Board approved the Concept Plan as proposed The Planning Staff recommends that the Preliminary Plan for Sibling Pine Estate be redesigned to eliminate the strips which connect remote septic disposal areas to lot 25 6 and 7. If the Planning Board does decide to recommend approval as proposed,the Planning Staff recommends approval per the Resolution of Approval(copy an attachment to these minutes on pages Brooks asked who owned tract 3. Steve Yuhasz,surveyor,responded that Doug Bivins owned tract 3. He originally owned this entire tract and subdivided. Brooks continued asking if there could be any way to get a perc site on it for lot 7. Yuhasz responded that when the property was last subdivided,lot 3 was very large due to the fact that only one perc site was located. Jobsis asked what the rationale was for the Planning Board to approve the concept plan. Willis indicated she was unsure. Allison asked if the lots,as presented,were in violation of the ordinance. Willis responded that,from the Planning Staffs viewpoint,they are not consistent with the Subdivision Regulations. Staff feels that such remote systems are the same as septic easements. Allison continued asking if this is the only issue and Willis responded yes. Barrows asked if the landscape waiver was for the bus shelter or if it was really a setback. Willis responded that the setback requirement of forty feet must still be met. Barrows continued that she was opposed to this design at concept plan stage and still felt the same. She noted that she felt this property speaks to the use of clustering or alternative design. There are suitable soils on one side of the road and unsuitable on the other side. Given the soils,it does not seem to be the best design for this property. There is sufficient property to allow plenty of leeway for a better design. Brooks asked if the areas with suitable soils are for three or five bedroom construction. Steve Yuhasz responded that they are for a minimum of three. Some are four and others may be three or four. Brooks continued asking the possibility of mixing homes and thus giving everyone something,creating a tradeoff. She also expressed dissatisfaction with the remote septic lines. Strayhorn indicated he felt the lot lines could be better drawn and clustering could possibly allow more houses to be built. Willis responded that the soils are limited; even with a cluster design a significant increase in the number of lots may not be possible. Strayhorn continued asking the rationale behind not allowing sewer easements in watersheds. Willis responded that there was a lot of discussions on this issue when watershed standards were being adopted The Planning Staff had recommended that the prohibition of septic easements in the watersheds not be included in the watershed provisions;however,they were adopted with that prohibition. She continued that part of the rationale was the concern that the septic system would be more removed from the house and the possibility of problems with a system not be realized for a longer period of time. Strayhorn noted that the systems he was more familiar with were pump systems and he felt failure of such a system was more noticeable and Jobsis stated that had been the opinion of former Planning Board member Larry Reid. Thus,Strayhorn felt that argument had no merit. Price shared the concern with the remote septic system and asked what could be done with the property if they did not have the remote systems. Willis responded that the worst case scenario would be that they would have five lots instead of seven 26 f / lots. Price asked what would become of lots six and seven. Willis responded that they would become a part of another lot because those lots would be unbuildable. Price continued,asking about the proximity of the remote systems to the creek. Willis responded that there had been no discussion on that issue. Steve Yuhasz,surveyor,stated that the remote systems have been approved by the Environmental Health Department. The systems are going to be the same regardless of the distance being pumped. The concerns with the septic*systems themselves is not really relevant to the design of the subdivision. Regardless of how the subdivision is designed the septic drain fields will be in the exact same location. He continued that there are other ways to do this subdivision,one of which is smaller lots. If this was a subdivision for sale,smaller lots might be considered. He noted that the people who are developing this property did so to live on themselves, rather than lots for sale. They wanted larger lots. This design does meet all of the ordinance requirements and gives each lot the maximum buildable area which suits the owners the best. Jobsis asked if Mr.Yuhasz had addressed the Planning Staffs concern regarding the remote septic systems. Mr.Yuhasz responded that he was not sure that was the main concern. The ban on easements may not be a question of distance or proximity but a question of ownership,who owns the land the system is on. It may be a question of greater density since this is not the greatest density that could be achieved on this property. He noted again that these are not easements. Jobsis asked for an explanation of a pump system and the concern with failure. Mr. Yuhasz responded that there are two tanks-a holding tank and a pump tank. When the pump stops working,you know it-there is backup. The last point of treatment is what is remote. Everything else is the exact same as any pump septic system. MOTION: Price moved approval with the Resolution of Approval. Seconded by Strayhorn. Barrows again expressed her concern with the remote systems noting that lots 6&7 could be open space. Howie expressed agreement with Barrows that there are too many opportunities for failure. . Brooks wondered why,since the applicants knew of the Planning Staffs concerns, that they did not bring back more than one option. However,she had no problem with approving the plan as presented since the Health Department had approved the systems. Allison indicated he did not see a problem. Hoecke noted that the individuals were all aware of the sites. This is also a different situation,private rather than to be sold. Therefore,he felt there was not a problem in approving as requested by the applicant. VOTE: 6 in favor. 2 opposed(Barrows,Howie-reasons already stated).