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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-15-94-IX-A 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No =X--A ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 15, 1994 SUBJECT: Saddle Club Road Solid Waste Site Lease DEPARTMENT: Manager/Public Works PUBLIC HEARING YES NO x ATTACHMENT(S) : INFORMATION CONTACT Solid Waste Site Assessments Rod Visser, ext 2300 Site Suitability Criteria Wilbert McAdoo, ext 2625 Saddle Club Road Site Chronology TELEPHONE NUMBER Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Mebane 227-2031 Durham 688-7331 PURPOSE: To provide direction to staff concerning the proposed lease of the Saddle Club Road Solid Waste Convenience Center. BACKGROUND: At the November 16, 1993 meeting, the Board of Commissioners gave conceptual approval to the long-term leasing of an 8 acre site owned by Mr. Carl Walters, on Saddle Club Road in Cheeks Township, as a location for a Solid Waste Convenience Center. On February 15, 1994, the Board heard a report from staff on progress on the planning for the site. A number of area residents indicated opposition to the planned site, and the Board agreed to ask the Orange County Solid Waste Committee (OCSWC) to conduct a community meeting with residents of Cheeks and Cedar Grove Townships to receive comments on the Saddle Club Road site and alternative sites suggested by members of the community. At that meeting in March 1994, the OCSWC received citizen comments after reviewing preliminary staff assessments of the alternative sites against a set of criteria that had been established for evaluating solid waste site suitability. Copies of these documents, produced in March 1994 , are included as Attachments 1 and 2 to this abstract. At their next meeting in April 1994, the OCSWC heard from Mr. Walters, who indicated his desire to terminate, by December 31, 1994, his lease with the County for the existing High Rock Road interim solid waste site. The OCSWC discussed citizen comments from the March meeting, and the suitability of the various sites that had been presented. The Committee voted to recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the Board enter into the long-term lease for a permanent Saddle Club Road Solid Waste Convenience Center. The Committee did indicate to area residents that it would remain open to any additional site suggestions made prior to Mr. Walters ' s planned termination of the High Rock Road lease. 2 County staff have since investigated additional information brought to light concerning the proposed alternative sites. For example, Harmony Church Road (Site 3 ) has been paved since the preparation of the preliminary site assessment. The owner of that suggested site has failed to respond to repeated telephone and mail contacts by County staff which were initiated to ascertain her possible interest in selling or leasing her property for a solid waste site. County staff also explored possible development of the suggested Site 5 on Frazier Road. However, County staff recommends that the County not pursue purchase of that site, which is appraised at approximately $140,000, because of limited available capital funds and the statutory difficulty that the County would likely encounter in trying to remarket unneeded portions of the suggested site. The OCSWC discussed this information at their most recent meeting in October and reiterated their previous recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. Staff will provide a brief synopsis of key points in the Saddle Club Road site review process (Attachment 3) , and respond to the Board' s questions on this subject. RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board of Commissioners confirm plans to proceed with the long-term lease of the Saddle Club Road site, or provide alternative direction to staff. 3 Results of Site Suitability visits Solid Waste Convenience Centers Cheeks and Cedar Grove Townships . Site visits conducted by County Engineer, County Soil Scientist-Health Department, County Planner and Public Works Director Site 1: Location - Saddle Club Road - Cheeks Township bordering Cedar Grove Township to the north approximately 5/10 miles south of High Rock Road east side of Saddle Club Road. - Access paved road not centrally located; however, could serve a large portion of Cheeks and Cedar Grove Townships within one mile of the current High Rock Road site. (within one mile of Alamance County line) . Proximity to houses, commercial, industrial, business and institutions. No homes within 500 ' of property. No commercial, industrial, business or institutions. Watershed Restrictions - Located in the Back Creek watershed. Up to 50% impervious surface with Best Management Practices; 12% impervious surface without Best Management Practices. Will require acquisition of 8 acres minimum without Best Management Practices for development of Solid Waste Convenience Center. Flood Plains - Not located in a flood plain. Land Slopes - Moderate slope 5% or less. Soil Conditions - Good soil conditions suitable for on-site septic system. Unique Natural Areas - None known. Historic Site - None known. Wetlands - None. Zoning - Agricultural - Residential. Back Creek protected watershed. Purchase - Lease options - Lease 8 acres period of 25 years @ $200. 00 per month. Escalation clause tied to the Consumer Price Index. Owner not interested in selling the property. Comments: Planting of trees as a buffer will be required as part of development. Site in close proximity to present greenbox site, which will be relocated. Good road access. 4 Site 2 : Location - Claiborne Road - Cedar Grove Township - 9/10 miles west of Corbett Ridge Road - north side of Claiborne Road. 200 ' east of Alamance County line. North property line adjoins Caswell County. - Access paved road. Site located in the extreme northwest corner of Orange County. No current site in close proximity. Not located near population centers. Proximity to houses, commercial, industrial, business and institutions. One house within 500 ' of the property. No commercial, industrial, business or institutions within 100 ' of the property. Watershed Restrictions - Not in a protected watershed. Flood Plains -Not in a flood plain. Land Slopes - Moderate 5% or less slope. Soil Conditions - Good soil conditions suitable for on-septic system. Unique Natural Areas - None observed. Historic Sites - None known. Wetlands - None. Zoning - Agricultural - Residential. Comments: Location not accessible to Cheeks and most of Cedar Grove. Location adjacent to Alamance and Caswell Counties. 5 Site 3: Location - Harmony Church Road - Cedar Grove Township, approximately 1. 1 miles northwest of Mill Creek Road. Southwest side of Harmony Church Road. - Access dirt road. Proximity to houses, commercial, industrial, business and institutions. No houses within 500 ' radius. No commercial, industrial, business and institutions within 100 ' radius. Watershed Restrictions - Back Creek watershed. Up to 50% impervious surface with Best Management Practices. 12% impervious surface without Best Management Practices. Will require acquisition of 8 acres minimum without Best Management Practices for development of Solid Waste Convenience Center. Flood Plains -, Not located in a flood plain. Land Slope - Moderate slope 5% or less. Soil Conditions - Good. Unique Natural Areas - None known. Wetlands - None. Zoning - Agricultural - Residential. Back Creek protected watershed. Purchase - Lease options - Have been unable to contact owner regarding purchase or lease options. Comments: Will require upgrade and paving of roads to make site accessible. 6 Site 4: Location - High Rock Road - Cheeks Township. Approximately 6/10 miles northwest of the intersection with Lebanon Road, southwest side of High Rock Road. - Access dirt road. Proximity to houses, commercial, industrial, business and institutions. Two houses within 500 ' radius. No commercial, industrial, business, institutions within 100' radius. Watershed Restrictions - Located in the Upper Eno Watershed. Up to 50% impervious surface with Best Management Practices. 12% impervious surface without Best Management Practices. Will require acquisition of 8 acres minimum without Best Management Practices for development of Solid Waste Convenience Center. Flood Plains - Seasonal flooding. Land Slopes - Greater than 15%. Soil Conditions- Soils drain poorly. Available property is in low lying drainage area. Unique Natural Areas - None known. Historic Site - None known. Wetlands - Seasonal flooding. Zoning - Rural Residential. R-1. Upper Eno protected watershed. Purchase - Lease Options - Owner willing to sell property. Not interested in leasing. Comments: Will require upgrade and paving of road to make site accessible. Unacceptable because of seasonal flooding. 7 Site 5: Location - Frazier Road - Cheeks Township - southside of Highway 70. Intersection with Frazier Road. - Access paved road. Proximity to houses, commercial, industrial, business and institutions. Mobile home park and house within 500 ' radius of property. Two commercial establishments within 100 ' radius. Watershed Restrictions - Located in Upper Eno Watershed. Up to 70% impervious surface with Best Management Practices. 12% impervious surface requirement without Best Management Practices. Will require acquisition of 8 acres minimum without Best Management Practices for development of the Solid Waste Convenience Center. Flood Plains - Not located in a flood plain. Land Slopes - Moderate slope 5% or less. Soil Conditions - Good soil conditions suitable for for on- site septic system. Unique Natural Areas - None known. Historic Site - None known. Wetlands - None. Zoning - Economic Development District. Must meet design standards of Economic Development District. Upper Eno protected watershed. Major transportation corridor. Purchase - Lease options - Owner wants to sell entire parcel 13. 97 acres. Willing to consider an offer at appraised value. Comments: To make land affordable, would require resale of a portion of the property. • -Ir 8 Orange County Solid Waste Convenience Center Site Suitability-Assessment Criteria - Location - Should be located on a paved road with convenient access and strategically located to serve optimum number of citizens. - Proximity to Houses, Commercial, Industrial, Business and Institutions - Site should not be located within a 500 foot radius of a residence or a 100 foot radius of a commercial, industrial, business or institution. - Watershed Restrictions — Should be evaluated to determine the amount of land required for development. - Flood Plains - Development of Solid Waste Convenience Centers in flood plains are prohibited. - Land Slopes - Greater than 5-15% is less than ideal for Solid Waste Convenience Centers. - Soil Conditions - Such as depth to bedrock, permeability, shrink swell potential, erodibility and drainage are crucial factors that influence site suitability. - Unique Natural Areas as defined by Triangle J. Council of Governments is any space containing unusual or exemplary, biological habitat, geologic feature or hydrologic location, should be avoided. - Historic Sites as defined in the Orange County Land Use Element and the Orange County Zoning Ordinance, are discouraged; however, if considered, must include a buffer distance. - Wetlands are areas characterized by hydric soils usually gray in color and vegetation specific to wetlands should be avoided. - Zoning Ordinance requirements must be met. Please note site suitability assessment criteria are to be used as a guide only and is not all inclusive. Other considerations are made on site specific basis. • 9 a • CONSOLIDATED SOLID WASTE CONVENIENCE CENTER ORANGE COUNTY The Convenience Center will provide : * Current planned operational hours of 7 am to 7 pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday , Friday, (elose • 12-1 for lunch) ; 7 am to 2 pm on Saturday; 1 pm Lo 4 pm on Sunday. Closed on Wednesday. * Each site will, be staffed by an attendant . • * Placement of trees as a natural border around the site . * Fencing and gates which will, allow for sites to be locked during non-operational hours . * Driving surfaces will be graveled . Signage and lighting will be provided . * Site will be landscaped with plantings . • The Convenience Center will contain the following : * One ( 1 ) three yard stationarY..compactor with hopper opening . * Two ( 2 ) enclosed 40 yard compactiofi containers - one for use and one for rotating for collection of regular household solid waste . * Three ( 3 ) 40 yard open Lop containers - one each for wood products , white goods and other bulky non- recyclable items ( i . e . furniture ) . . • Recycling containers for the following : * Newsprint * Aluminum * Glass A Plastics * Tin cans * Cardboard * Waste oil. • A Auto batteries Additionally, there will be a salvage shed for reusable items which have useful life . The items ( furniture, appliances, Loy ) will be placed at Lhe salvage shed for. a specified period of time Lo allow other residents to pick them up. The Compactor Convenience Center will provide ease of • operation as 'items can be dropped down into containers . Because the containers are enclosed Lhe possibility of offensive odors , rodents or blown waste is virtually eliminated . Finally, the sites are aesthetically more • pleasing than the traditional greenbox sites because containers are below grade . 10 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS REGARDING RELOCATION OF THE EXISTING SITE ON HIGH ROCK ROAD AND DEVELOPMENT OF A SOLID WASTE CONVENIENCE CENTER AT SADDLE CLUB ROAD OCTOBER 1993: The Orange County Solid Waste Committee endorsed a proposal to develop a Solid Waste Convenience Center on Saddle Club Road, Cheeks Township, using the Compactor Collection Center Model. The proposal called for relocating the existing site on High Rock Road to Saddle Club Road approximately one mile away. The property owner has agreed to lease eight acres for a period of 25 years for $200 .00 per month, with an escalation clause (related to the Consumer Price Index) . OCTOBER 1993: Land surveyor conducted land survey including topographic elevation. OCTOBER 1993: Orange County Engineer, Orange County Planner, Orange County Soil Scientist and Orange County Public Works Director performed site suitability analysis on Saddle Club and determined that site is suitable for a Solid Waste Convenience Center. NOVEMBER 1993 : County Engineer began development of a conceptual site plan. NOVEMBER 1993: The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved a conceptual plan to enter into a long-term lease with the property owner for development of a Solid Waste Convenience Center at Saddle Club Road. JANUARY 1994: Purchasing Agent began developing proposed lease. FEBRUARY 1994: Orange County Public Works Staff presented an update to Orange County Board of Commissioners on the Saddle Club Road Solid Waste Convenience Center site development. At the Board of County Commissioners meeting, Saddle Club Road residents voiced opposition to locating a Solid Waste Convenience Center on Saddle Club Road. Some residents offered to locate alternate suitable sites in the Cheeks and Cedar Grove Townships. Board of County Commissioners referred the matter back to the Orange County Solid Waste Committee and asked that they hold a Public Forum on siting a Solid Waste Convenience Center in Cheeks and Cedar Grove Townships. MARCH 1994: Saddle Club Road residents presented four alternate sites for consideration: Clairborne Road; Harmony Church Road; High Rock Road; Frazier Road. 11 MARCH 1994: Orange County Engineer, Orange County Planner, Orange County Soil Scientist, Orange County Public Works Director performed site suitability analysis on the four alternate sites presented by the Saddle Club Road residents. MARCH 1994: Four members of the Orange County Solid Waste Committee toured the five proposed locations for consideration as Solid Waste Convenience Centers to serve Cheeks and Cedar Grove Townships. MARCH 1994: Orange County Solid Waste Committee hosted a Community Forum for Cheeks and Cedar Grove Townships to receive input on solid waste collection services for Cheeks and Cedar Grove Townships and present the five proposed Solid Waste Convenience Center locations for consideration. APRIL 1994: Orange County Solid Waste Committee reviewed and discussed public input, evaluated proposed sites and recommended that the County pursue a permanent site on Saddle Club Road by the end of 1994 . The County Staff and Orange County Solid Waste Committee remain open to considering any viable alternatives to the Saddle Club Road site that may be forthcoming prior to the end of 1994 . APRIL 1994: The owner of the High Rock Road site sends County notice of plans to terminate the High Rock Road lease as of December 31, 1994 but will consider extending the deadline if the County has a permanent alternative site "in the works. " OCTOBER 1994: The Orange County Solid Waste Committee reconsidered Harmony Church Road proposed Solid Waste Convenience Center location following paving of the road. Staff has attempted to communicate with the out of state property owner by mail and phone, but to date has not received a response. The Orange County Solid Waste Committee reconsidered Frazier Road proposed Solid Waste Convenience Center location whereby Orange County would purchase 13.97 acres. The Orange County Tax Appraisal indicated that the land value was more than the amount currently available for land purchase. Orange County Solid Waste Committee reconsidered Frazier Road proposed Solid Waste Convenience Center location whereby a fuel company would develop a propane storage facility, and lease a portion of the property to Orange County for a Solid Waste Convenience Center. Not much progress has been made to date by the fuel company on 12 the purchase of land or the development of the propane storage facility. After discussion, evaluation and reconsideration the Orange County Solid Waste Committee recommended that staff proceed with development of the Saddle Club Road Solid Waste Convenience Center. STEPS TO BE TAKEN AFTER JANUARY 1, 1995 The next steps in the process which will require expenditure of funds will include: - Development, approval and execution of an acceptable lease agreement. - Development of site plan. - Seek approval of the subdivision through the Orange County Planning Department process. - Develop and seek approval for an erosion control plan for development of the site through the State. - Development of construction documents. - Follow purchasing procedure for securing necessary bid proposals and contracts for construction of the Solid- Waste Convenience Center. - Construction of the site and placement of equipment. •