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Orange County
Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
November 14, 2016
Whitted Human Services Center, Hillsborough
PRESENT: Lydia Wegman (Chair), May Becker, Peter Cada, Lynne Gronback, Loren Hintz,
Bill Kaiser, Jeannette O’Connor, Sheila Thomas-Ambat
ABSENT: Bill Newby, Rebecca Ray
STAFF: Tom Davis, Brennan Bouma
VISITORS: Alan Parry, Kathleen Smith, Alex Nickodem
I. Call to Order – Wegman called the meeting to order at 7:32 pm.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda – None.
III. Minutes – Wegman asked for comments on the August 8 and October 10, 2016 meeting
summaries. Hintz motioned approval of both meeting summaries as written; seconded
by Kaiser. Approved unanimously.
IV. UDO Text Amendment for Minor Subdivisions
The CFE considered a draft memo commenting on a proposed amendment to the
Orange County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that was discussed in October.
The proposed change will allow for minor subdivisions with a “Flexible Design” option,
which promotes the clustering of houses and more protected open space.
Wegman and Hintz gave a brief explanation of the October presentation by the Planning
Department for those CFE members who were not present. O’Connor offered that
Carrboro has recently encouraged the preservation of natural spaces, not just open
spaces, in the Town’s subdivision approval process. Cada offered that native grasses
that do not require mowing can also be used.
The CFE members discussed recommending the County reconsider how open space is
defined and maybe encouraging that open spaces be required to use native species or
natural plant and animal communities. O’Connor will look into the wording used by
Carrboro and report back to the CFE.
Cada asked if there was any impact to groundwater when concentrating the septic fields
together, particularly downstream/downgradient from the septic systems. Davis will
contact Alan Clapp (Environmental Health) and Pat Mallett (Planning) to ask how the
impacts of grouping septic drain fields is being considered for off-site septic systems.
Hintz motioned to approve the draft memo as written, with the understanding that one
sentence might be added to address the issue of including natural plant and animal
communities in the definition of open space. The motion was seconded by Cada and
passed unanimously.
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V. CFE Outreach and Facebook Page
The CFE also considered a draft news article on Climate Change, an invitation to display
information at the Orange County Library, and whether to develop internal guidelines for
the CFE Facebook page and other social media.
O’Connor said she will request permission from Beth Young (DEAPR Communications
Manager) to add her email to the CFE Facebook page to give Young administrative
access. Young can then ensure the page conforms to the County Social Media Policy,
and can then notify the CFE that it is ready for use.
There was discussion a small ad hoc committee to develop internal protocols for the
CFE’s use of social media. O’Connor and Ray will work to clarify the internal rules.
Bouma and Wegman will be kept in the loop.
The draft article on Climate Change was discussed and a few changes were proposed
and received by the article’s authors (Kaiser et al.). Kaiser will revise these sections and
circulate the revised article over email as well as a second article on climate change
containing information about changes in the paleo climate for further discussion.
VI. CFE Annual Report and Work Plan 2016-17
The CFE reviewed a draft report of their activities, accomplishments, new issues, and
concerns for 2015-16.
CFE members discussed the draft report and recommended three edits: a clarification
that the CFE will work to further encourage appropriately-sited solar energy generation
and the re-instatement of two items related to compost collection and communication
with the SWAG. Bouma will ask Shaw why these were removed and share with the
CFE. The final report is due on Dec. 16. Hintz moved to approve the document as
edited; seconded by Wegman. The CFE approved unanimously.
VII. Updates and Information Items – Information on the following subjects was provided in
the meeting package; selected items were discussed: a) CFE membership/recruitment,
b) Orange County stream buffer requirements, c) Go green to save green training, d)
Potential SolSmart community designation, e) Carrboro’s Climate Action Plan, f) NIEHS
study of biosolids land application, g) NC’s Clean Air Act enforcement, h) Duke Forest
newsletter, i) Urban forests and Hurricane Matthew, j) National electric vehicle charging
network, k) Tesla’s solar roof, l) Industrial Hemp Commission holds first meeting.
VIII. Adjournment – O’Connor moved to adjourn; seconded by Gronback. Wegman
adjourned the meeting at 9:15 pm.
Summary by Brennan Bouma, AMS Staff