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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE 011402 John Link, County Manager Bill j`, Memorandum To : Commission for the Environment From : Roy Fortmann , Chair Date : January 7 , 2002 Re . January 14 Meeting Agenda Please find attached the agenda and materials for the next meeting of the Commission for the Environment , on Monday, January 14, 2002 7 .B30 p . m . Southern Human Services Center 2505 Homestead Road Chapel Hill , NC If you have questions , or will be unable to attend , please contact Carol Melton ( 245 - 2597 , cmelton@co . orange . nc . us ) by the Friday before the meeting . • I 1 AGENDA Orange County IN Commission for the Environment January 14 , 2002 7 : 30 p . m . Southern Human Services Center 2505 Homestead Road , Chapel Hill , NC Time Pg # Item 7 : 30 I . Call to Order 7 : 32 1 II . Approval of Minutes ( December 10 ) 7 : 35 7 III . Resolution — "" Non - CFE Members as Committee Members " A draft resolution was created by a subcommittee and emailed to Commission members (Attachment 1 ) . A revised version will be handed out at the meeting . 8 : 00 11 Iv . Priorities and Goals for 2002 = 2003 ( BOCC Retreat) A revised draft is provided as Attachment 2 . 8 : 20 15 V . BOCC Agenda Items Update Please see Attachment 3 . 8 : 30 VI . Committee Breakout Sessions 9 : 30 VII . Adjournment ( next meeting — February 11 ) COUNTY OF ORANGE COMMISSION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Draft Summary of Meeting December 10, 2001 Held at Orange County Southern Human Services Center, Chapel Hill , NC Members Present : Roy Fortmann ( Chair) , Mark Smith , Cara Crisler, Laura Cotterman , Johnny Randall , Hervey McIver, Dan Okun , Chris Wachholz , Annette Jurgelski and Commissioner Alice Gordon . Excused Absences . Richard Pratt, Lee Rafalow, Julie Tucker . Staff Present : David Stancil , ERCD Directors Rich Shaw , Land Conservation Managers Bradley Decker, ERCD Intern ; Carol Melton ERCD staff. I . Call to Order Chair Fortmann called meeting to order at 7 : 35 p . m . II . Approval of Minutes ( November 12 , 2001 ) MOTION : Crisler motioned to approve the November 12 minutes . Seconded by Okun . VOTE : unanimous . III . Committee Reports Fortmann noted that a majority of the CFE ' s work is done in the committees , and to receive input from the whole commission it is important to apprise all the members of each committee ' s progress . He noted that all projects may not be completed due to limited resources and time , therefore , prioritization of projects is critical . In order to keep everyone informed , he called for a group discussion of each committee 's progress and plans for the upcoming year and asked for an estimate of staff needs . Crisler gave an overview of the EIE Committee work and plans : ➢ Develop proposal for public education plan and campaign • To better inform citizens as well as visitors and workers without a county residency on environmental issues that concern county leaders . • Develop pocket folder of information such as air and water quality , soil erosion , storm water runoff, horticulture , recycling , land preservation , etc . • This information might also be included as links on the CFE website . • Would like to see funding set aside for this project . • Provide more community awareness/ presence and recruit volunteers for subcommittees . For example , setting up informational booth at community functions such as Apple Chill , Hog Day , and Autumn Moon Festival . Members discussed the CFE website and asked if a staff person could update . Stancil noted that ERCD ' s GIS Technician could provide support in this area . The question was raised of what the message should be conveyed at a booth . For example , should it include information from lath ERCD and CFE ? The group brainstormed on ideas for the booth and asked for staff support in this area . Shaw volunteered information about Lands Legacy DRAFT - Meeting Summary Page 1 of 6 CFE December 10 , 2001 aL program and assistance for the committee . Stancil said booths were easily secured at these functions just as Shaping Orange County 's Future Task Force had done in the past . Other priorities identified by Crisler were . ➢ Using the Environmental Indicators Report • Recommend that all county agencies and advisory boards/ groups use the indicators to measure their progress towards individual goals . • Take lead on using the indicators for the next SOE report ➢ Evaluate Environmental Impact Ordinance in terms of the environmental indicators ( will need ERCD staff assistance ] . Stancil reported that Decker would meet with the committee as ideas had been discussed on this project . ➢ Cost of Community Services Study - The CFE heard presentations previously and has agreed such a study could be used to help justify County goals ( e . g . , resource protection , rural character ) . Fortmann asked the EIE Committee to discuss this issue and bring back its recommendation . He suggested a cost benefit analysis as a possible next step . McIver gave an overview of the Biological Resources Committee work and plans . The BRC section of the progress report focuses on three areas - a ) improving the availability of information about the County ' s biological resources , b ) increased protection for biological areas of concern ( "" indirect protection " ) , and c ) more effective conservation policies indirect protection " ) . ➢ Information . • Update of 1988 Natural Areas Inventory is ongoing . • Working with NC Natural Heritage Program to develop ways of updating the Natural Areas Inventory on a more frequent basis . • GIS work being done to display different forest cover types and to document changes in forest cover over periods of time . ➢ Direct Protection : • Lands Legacy program projects • Orange and Durham counties purchase of 391 acres Little River Regional Park & Natural Area ( helps develop partnerships with surrounding entities ) • Triangle GreenPrint development participation ➢ Indirect Protection : • Developing a new Natural Areas Element of the Comprehensive Plan • Interest in a balanced approach ( incentives and regulations ) to protecting important resources on private property • Help people manage and protect private land through education outreach Discussion included priority items being Natural Areas Element , forest management , and Environmental Impact Ordinance with staff assistance from Shaw and Decker . Okun provided an overview for the Water Resources Committee , beginning with the need to assess the county 's water supply infrastructure using available information , including the March 2001 report of the Water Resources Committee . He also described to following as important issues to be embarked upon by the committee . DRAFT - Meeting Summary Page 2 of 6 CFE December 10 , 2001 03 ➢ Define the community 's water supply ➢ Predict future needs based on population distributions ➢ Assess adequacy of existing facilities for water and wastewater ➢ Identify current problems and anticipate upcoming problems ➢ Water quantity and water quality issues for future county populations ➢ Collect enough information so that the county can be proactive and make suggestions rather than just react to what development would like to do ➢ Work with Triangle J Council of Governments to gather data . Would like CFE to invite Pat Davis to upcoming meeting for a presentation on Orange County "s water supply . This information can help CFE establish database and begin planning for the future water needs of the county . The members discussed the need for one or two new CFE members with expertise in water resources . A suggestion was made to include mention of that in the cover letter to Commissioner Jacobs . Staff was asked to make that change . Fortmann gave an overview for the Air Quality Committee noting that the goals are based on the BOCC adopted air quality goal , which is to take proactive steps to improve and protect the air quality in Orange County . • Reduce the impact of County 's vehicle fleet on air quality ; take steps to lower it . • AFLEV set up to address those issues ; grant wasn 't funded due to state budget cuts ; AFLEV planning to resume meetings and find out what the County has actually done regarding purchasing low emission vehicles ; will develop strategy for future County purchases of lower emitting vehicles . • Identify new funding sources for alternative fueled vehicles and fueling stations . • Get much better quantative understanding of air quality in the county and set some targets for reductions . • Create a regional view of air quality The members discussed plans and ideas to meet these goals including seeking input from the county 's transportation planner . Smith gave a brief report on the Light Pollution issue . He said he had presented the information to the Planning Board and expects them to begin drafting an ordinance . IV . 2001 Commission for the Environment Progress Report Stancil reviewed the changes and revisions that members had emailed to staff . Crisler noted punctuation corrections and suggested that title page list the department . Others suggested adding an acknowledgement page . It was suggested that the introductory paragraph of the WRC section be reworded to acknowledge the work of the previous WRC , and that the cover letter be revised to include some mention of the kinds of expertise being sought in filling CFE vacancies . MOTION : Cotterman motioned to approve the CFE Progress Report with revisions as noted . Seconded by McIver . VOTE : unanimous . DRAFT - Meeting Summary Page 3 of 6 CFE December 10 , 2001 �D Staff to make the changes and send CFE members and BOCC the 2001 Commission for the Environment Progress Report . V . Priorities and Goals for 2002- 2003 ( BOCC Retreat) Stancil reviewed a form used to identify priorities and goals for the board of commissioners ' annual planning retreat . He asked the CFE for input and comments . Members input revisions and agreed upon the following . . Brief Statement of Board/Commission 's Ass1gned Charge and Responsibilities 1 . To advise the BOCC with regard to environmental policy , with particular emphasis on environmental protection . 2 . To educate the public and local officials on environmental issues . 3 . To perform special studies and projects on environmental questions , as requested by the BOCC . 4 . To recommend environmental initiatives to the BOCC . ' III I IN I i. t of Specific tasks, Events,_ or Functions Performed or Sponsored Annually • State of the Environment report ( Biannual , with an odd - year Progress Report ) • Identify priorities for the Lands Legacy Annual Action Plan ( natural areas and wildlife habitat ) • Review and commend on projects with significant environmental issues ( such as forestry ) • Conduct special studies ( Alternative - Fuel Vehicles , Sustainability , Light Pollution ) What 2001 - 2002 BOCC adopted goal(s), if any, does this board/commission have a ' role in carrying out ; 6 . F,F, ' F .P . . .. .. . . . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. .. . .. .. • Natural Resources • Lands Legacy • Sustainability • Water Resource Quantity and Quality • Pa rks • Air Quality ,. . .. .. . _ . ... . ...- . . . ., . . .. _ . . . .. .. .. .. . .. ,. . . . Describe this board/cammisslon 5 activities/occomplishr7entsin carrying out the ZOOM - 2002 BOCC goals) if applicable . • Prepared Commission for the Environment Progress Report 2001 • Update to the 1988 Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat underway • Natural Areas Element of the Comprehensive Plan underway • Evaluation of forest cover types and changes in forest cover 1988 to 1998 underway • Worked regionally on Triangle GreenPrint regional open space project • Discussions arising from 2000 Timber Harvesting Forum including meetings with forester regarding ways to encourage proper forest management • Grant developed and submitted for funding alternative fuel vehicles ( State grant funds not available because of budget issues ) • Recommendation and evaluation of International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives ( approved by BOCC in November 2001 ) • Evaluation and prioritization of environmental indicators in Sustainability report underway • Received presentation on Cost of Community Services studies DRAFT - Meeting Summary Page 4 of 6 CFE December 10 , 2001 05 • Reviewed Environmental Impact Ordinance , with recommendations forthcoming • Ground water project folded in CFE Water Resources Committee • joint meeting held with Water Resources Committee ( outgoing ) :Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2002 2003 as they ` relate to established BOCC goals . • Identify any activities this board / commission expects to carry out in 2002 - 2003 as they relate to established BOCC goals . • Complete update to Natural Areas Inventory in Summer 2002 • Complete draft Natural Areas Element of Comprehensive Plan ( November 2002 hearing ) • Continue to review and advise on Lands Legacy acquisitions on natural areas and wildlife habitat • Continue to assist in development of Cooperative Forestry program • Re - evaluate potential funding sources for alternative - fuel vehicles in light of State budget and regional programs • Develop , with Planning Board , a Light Pollution Ordinance • Complete report on sustainability indicators for environmental issues • Develop a coordinated public education program that can disseminate needed information to citizens • Develop educational materials folder of various programs and resources available • Develop recommendation on the Environmental Impact Ordinance • Study Cost of Community Services study approaches for appropriateness and applicability in Orange County • Complete review of previous Water Resources Committee work and develop recommendations on implementing measures for ground water protection • Gather data on surface water supplies and needs , and begin thinking about ways to tie together surface and ground water protection programs . ... What activities does this board/commission contemplate, and/or what issues does this board/commission foresee at this time, that could lead to a proposed new BOCC goals) for 2002 -2003 ? • All activities are envisioned to occur within the framework of existing goals . Stancil noted that answers to the last two questions on the form were blank , needing input from the CFE . . In priority order, what are the concerns or emerging issues your board has identified for the upcoming fiscal year that it plans to address, regardless of their relationship to any existing or new BOC goal ? Describe any training related to its primary resp onsibill ties that this Board/Commission has received during 2001 , eithIII er collectively, or for individual members: Stancil said he would draft an answer to the " concerns or emerging issues " question using the committee priorities that were presented earlier in the meeting . Commissioner Gordon DRAFT - Meeting Summary Page 5 of 6 CFE December 10 , 2001 noted that BOCC members might use this information to evaluate funding needs . Examples of committee priorities might include : • Flyer on sources of Orange County environmental information and publications • Natural Areas Element to the Orange County Comprehensive Plan • Air Quality measures • Cost of Community Services Study Members then discussed CFE training possibilities for responding to the last question . Commissioner Gordon noted that the CFE is a bit different from most other advisory boards in that CFE members bring their technical training and expertise to the board rather than having to be trained to enhance their participation . Fortmann asked members to email any suggestions to Stancil for final wording preparation to bring back at the January meeting for final adoption . VI . BOCC Agenda Items Update The meeting packet included selected materials of interest from the previous month ' s BOCC agenda . Fortmann explained that he had asked staff to provide this kind information each month . Stancil reviewed the materials and agreed to make this a standing item for future CFE agendas . Fortmann suggested that members look at the BOCC agenda website to see what issues are before the BOCC . The website is http : // www . co . orange . nc . us/ OCCLERKS/ agenmenu . htm VII . Calendar of Meetings for 2002 Stancil asked if everyone had reviewed and was in approval of the proposed 2002 meeting calendar that was included in the meeting materials . He noted that the second Monday of the month was reserved as has been customary for the CFE meetings . Commissioner Gordon noted that three of those same dates were also scheduled for BOCC work sessions . The CFE members approved the 2002 schedule . VIII . Adjournment ( next meeting — January 14) The CFE adjourned at 10 @ 00 p . m . DRAFT - Meeting Summary Page 6 of 6 CFE December 10 , 2001 ATTACHMENT # 1 Non - CFE Members as Committee Members Purpose and Rationale Recognizing that each CFE committee could benefit from additional support from non- CFE members , the CFE proposes guidelines to recruit associates , advisors , or friends of the CFE . The guidelines would offer an official forum for the CFE to identify and recruit persons with unique expertise , different perspectives , and an interest in working with the CFE . Such volunteers or " Friends of the CFE " ( any other name ? ? ? Associates ? Partners `? ) would assist with special projects or ad-hoc work groups . They could include undergrad or graduate college students . Friends would be non-voting participants of the CFE and would not have the same liabilities or responsibilities as full- fledged CFE members . WHO /ROLE : Limited to Orange County Citizens ? Can non- Orange County citizens be Friends ? Make effort to recruit local. graduate interns who will serve for one year . Establish. a liaison with UNC , Duke , NC State , NC Central , etc . who will establish a program for interns to participate as Friends . Should students be given. a different designation/namc? Should the number of Friends on a committee be limited? WHEN/PARTICIPATION.* Do :Friends only attend committee meetings ? What about breakout sessions that we have at the end of our monthly meetings would they attend these as requested". Potential benefits from establishing Friends of the CFE Organizational development • Introduction : This is a practical and profitable way to recruit prospective CFE members . Friends of the CFE would gain hands - on experience with the CFE and could gauge their own commitment and interest . • Leadership training : The organization can involve potential board members on committees to gauge their interest and help develop leadership skills . This may be especially appropriate for young professionals . Structural benefits • Division of labor : Necessary work can get done without over-burdening CFE members . • Size : Expanding the number of committee participants enables the CFE to expand research projects and task force work without increasing the size of the CFE . • Time commitment : Friends can dedicate their time , interests , and expertise to a specific field or task force (water resources , air quality, etc . ) that interests them and matches their interests without requiring them to work on other issues addressed by the CFE . This enables the CFE to monopolize on the expertise , skills , and interests of Orange County citizens without overburdening volunteers , Friends , Orange County staff, and CFE members . Wealth of resources 08 • Expertise : Ability to bring in experts , technicians , special skills , and knowledge that may not be present in the CFE . There is a greater opportunity to create strong ad-hoc committees with an array of skills and experience for a particular project . • Diversity : Ability to broaden the diversity and perspective of the CFE by creating representation of a wider constituency. Individual committees provide a forum for a variety of views . • Involvement of former CFE members : Inviting former or departing CFE members to serve on a committee can offer continuity on commi m ttees , strengthen the CFE ' s organizational mission and preserve the CFE ' s organizational memory. Potential concerns and challenges to having Friends of the CFE Structural elements • CFE size : If the CFE becomes too large, it may make sense first to thoroughly analyze the role of each board member . Additional committee members could prevent a good distribution of duties . • Cohesion : With a variety of people, it sometimes takes a special effort to create cohesion and effective working methods for the team . Involvement and personal commitment • Representational value : It is important to be selective . Even as a non-voting member of the CFE, an outside committee member stands for the organization and needs to represent the values of the organization . • Automatic board membership : Even if committed service on a committee can be a good indication of quality future board service , it should not, and cannot by virtue of the CFE ' s by-laws , be considered an automatic step of appointment . • Confusion : Only the CFE as a whole (not Friends) makes recommendations to the BOCC . Committee members do not make decisions ; they only make recommendations , which the full CFE acts upon in making the CFE ' s recommendations to the BOCC . Integrating Friends of the CFE into Committees The following process is recommended : 1 . ) Each committee develops a 1 -2 page summary of the committee ' s charge, responsibilities , and goals/projects for the year . This is given to all CFE members annually, assuming BOCC approval . 2 . ) With input welcome from all CFE members , each committee identifies potential candidates to serve as Friends of the CFE . The committee interviews candidates and proposes the preferred candidates to the CFE . A majority vote for each candidate by the CFE is sufficient to invite a candidate to become a Friend of the CFE . 3 . ) Once a Friend has been chosen to serve on a committee , the CFE chair sends an invitation letter to the candidate welcoming him/her to the committee as an official " CFE Advisor . " The letter will identify the committee that the Friend is assigned to and describe the individual ' s responsibilities . (E . g . the projects he/she will work on, antipipated time period for each project, etc . ) Note : Friends are encouraged to 09 serve one year. However, some projects may not require 12 months . Length of service is at the discretion of the committee chairperson . 4 . ) Committee chairpersons shall, with the assistance of their CFE committee members , evaluate the participation of each Friend at the end of their term . (.Perhaps only the CFE members in each committee should make this evaluation and then propose, if desired, that the Friend oar the CFE be invited. to serve another term) 5 . ) SHOULD WE HAVE TERM L.IMITS ? ? I: think we should say that it is at the CFE ' s discretion to set terin limits in the future if it is needed. Recognizing Friends of the CFE Friends shall be recognized as " Orange County CFE Advisors " and shall be listed as such in all official CFE documents , announcements and other media designed for public dissemination . Should we have something in addition to this ? ? How about a press release at the end of each year that recognizes Friends and. their accomplishments for the yearT This would result simply in a local newspaper blurb acknowledging their efforts . Resources • Hirzy, Ellen C . Nonprofit Board Committees . NCNB , 1993 . Available : www . ncnb . or or 800 - 883 - 6262 . Trustee/Volunteer Resource Center/Opera America . Employing Non -Board Members on ATTACHMENT # 2 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS INPUT FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ' ANNUAL PLANNING RETREAT February 2 , 2002 The Board of Commissioners has expressed interest in receiving input from various advisory boards and commissions in preparation for the BOCC ' s annual planning retreat . Please complete the following information, limited to the front and back sides of this form . Other background materials may be provided as a supplement to , but not as a substitute for, this form . Board/Commission Name : Commission for the Environment # Positions Specified by BOCC : 15, plus 1 BOCC representative Chair ' s Name : Roy Fortmann Chair ' s Phone : 968- 0281 Chair ' s E -mail : rfortman@mlndspring. com Chair ' s Fax : Primary County Staff Contact : David Stancil, ERC Director Brief Statement of Board/Commission I s Assigned Charge and Responsibilities 1 . To advise the BOCC with regard to environmental policy, with particular emphasis on environmental protection . 2 . To educate the public and local officials on environmental issues. 3 . To perform special studies and projects on environmental questions, as requested by the BOCC. 4. To recommend environmental initiatives to the BOCC. List of Specific Tasks , Events , or Functions Performed or Sponsored Annually • State of the Environment report (biannual, with an odd year Progress Report) • Identify priorities for the Lands Legacy Annual Action Plan (natural areas and wildlife habitat) • Review and comment on projects with significant environmental issues (such as forestry) 0 Conduct special studies (Alternative-Fuel Vehicles, Sustainability, Light Pollution) 12 L What 2001 - 2002 BOCC adopted goal(s) , if any, does this board/commission have a role in carrying out ? • Natural Resources • Lands Legacy • Sustainability • Water Resource Quantity and Quality • Parks • Air Quality Describe this board/commission ' s activities/accomplishments in carrying out the 2001 - 2002 BOCC goal( s) , if applicable . • Prepared Commission for the Environment Progress Report 2001 • Update to the 1988 Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat underway • Natural Areas Element of the Comprehensive Plan underway • Evaluation of forest cover types and changes in forest cover 1988 to 1998 underway • Worked regionally on Triangle Greenprint regional open space project • Discussions arising from 2000 Timber Harvesting Forum, including meetings with forester regarding ways to encourage proper forest management • Grant developed and submitted for funding alternative fuel vehicles (State grant funds not available because of budget issues) • Recommendation and evaluation of International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (approved by BOCC in November 2001) • Evaluation and prioritization of environmental indicators in Sustainability report underway • Received presentation on Cost of Community Services studies • Reviewed Environmental Impact Ordinance, with recommendations forthcoming • Groundwater project folded in CFE Water Resources Committee • Joint meeting held with Water Resources Committee (outgoing) Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2002 -2003 as they relate to established BOCC goals . • Complete update to Natural Areas Inventory in Summer 2002 • Complete draft Natural Areas Element of Comprehensive Plan (November 2002 hearing target date) • Continue to review and advise on Lands Legacy acquisitions on natural areas and wildlife habitat • Continue to assist in development of Cooperative Forestry program • Re- evaluate potential funding sources for alternative fuel vehicles in light of State budget and regional programs • Develop, with Planning Board, a Light Pollution ordinance 13 • Complete report on sustainability indicators for environmental issues • Develop a coordinated public education program that can disseminate needed information to citizens • Develop educational materials folder on various environmental programs and resources available • Develop recommendation on the Environmental Impact Ordinance • Research Cost of Community Services Study approaches for appropriateness and applicability in Orange County • Complete review of previous Water Resources Committee work and develop recommendations on implementing measures for ground water protection • Gather data on surface water supplies and needs, and begin thinking about ways to tie together surface and groundwater protection programs What activities does this board/commission contemplate, and/or what issues does this board/commission foresee at this time , that could lead to a proposed new BOCC goal (s ) for 2002 -2003 ? All activities are envisioned to occur within the framework of existing goals In priority order, what are the concerns or emerging issues your board has identified for the upcoming fiscal year that it plans to address , regardless of their relationship to any existing or new BOCC goal ? • Development of an environmental educational materials folder for citizens • Develop a cooperative forestry program with the Forest Service and other agencies • Evaluate the County vehicle fleet and recommend potential alternative fuel and low- emission vehicle purchases • Evaluation of environmental indicators for use in sustainability efforts • Other ? Describe any training related to its primary responsibilities that this Board/Commission has received during 2001 , either collectively, or for individual members . Most of the Commission for the Environment members are appointed based on technical expertise and knowledge in environmental areas, and all members attend seminars, conferences and workshops regularly during the year related to their professional duties 14 ATTACHMENT # 3 Update Items from 15 Last Month ' s Board of Commissioners Meetis g n The attached are selected materials of interest from the previous mouth " s Board of Comm issioners agendas . Where appropriate, action taken on the items is �ritteu on the toy of the abstract. c /o ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date : December 11 , 2001 Action Agenda Item No . SUBJECT : Approval of Contract to Purchase Real Property — David Blackwood ( Trustee ) , Mary Blackwood and Nannie Blackwood DEPARTMENT : Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING : (Y/ N ) No Conservation ATTACHMENT INFORMATION CONTACT . 1 ) Contract to Purchase David Stancil , 245 - 2590 2 ) Capital Project Ordinance Rich Shaw , 245 - 2591 TELEPHONE NUMBERS . Hillsborough 732 = 8181 Chapel Hill 968 =4501 Durham 688 -7331 Mebane 336 -227 -2031 PURPOSE : To approve a contract to purchase 151 . 66 acres from David Blackwood (Trustee ) , Mary Blackwood and Nannie Blackwood , and a capital project ordinance for funding of the purchase . BACKGROUND : In January of this year , ERC Director David Stancil was contacted regarding a potential sale of land owned by the Blackwood family , in the New Hope community between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill (further referenced as PIN numbers 9872 - 55 - 7302 and 9872 - 63 - 3300 ) . The property had been previously evaluated by ERCD staff in the Fall of 2000 as one of the candidate site for the Chapel Hill Township Park . It was noted that the provision of a park site in this area is also consistent with the need for a park in the New Hope / University Station area , as identified in the adopted 1988 Parks and Recreation Element of the Comprehensive Plan . The historic Blackwood farmstead , which has been in the family' s ownership since 1906 , is a former dairy farm located near the intersection of New Hope Church Road and NC 86 . The site contains a number of unique components , including the historic homesite ( portions of which date to 1827 ) , farm fields , farm outbuildings , and a portion of the old Hillsborough - Chapel Hill " stagecoach road " roadbed . The property also contains a portion of an identified County Natural Area site , a 3 - acre pond and an old cemetery which may be a 19th - Century slave burial ground . With this vast combination of historic , agricultural , natural and rural character attributes in mind , the Board of Commissioners authorized staff to enter into 17 2 negotiations with the Blackwood family for acquisition of the property as a future County park site . Through the spring and fall of this year , staff and the County Attorney have worked with the Blackwood family to negotiate the purchase of this historic property , and conduct necessary preliminary activities to the purchase . The Blackwood family and the County have agreed to the purchase price , as outlined in the attached contract . While the closing on the property would occur prior to January 1 , the contract terms do allow for time for the family to complete arrangements through March 2002 prior to vacating the property . FINANCIAL IMPACT : The purchase price for the Blackwood properties is $ 2 , 064 , 000 ( $ 13 , 609 per acre ) . Adding other transaction - related closing costs , the total cost of acquisition is projected to be $ 2 , 077 , 050 . The funding sources for the acquisition are addressed in the attached capital project ordinance . Funds for the acquisition would come from the following sources : ,, Funding Source Amount School / Park Reserve $ 1 , 100 , 000 1997 Parks Bond $ 100 , 000 Payment- in - Lieu Funds ( Chapel Hill $ 117 , 000 district 2001 Parks , Recreation and Open $ 760 , 050 Space Bond TOTAL $ 27077 , 050 RECOMMENDATION ( S ) : The Manager recommends that the Board approve the contract to purchase this property as presented , and further recommends that the Board authorize the County Attorney and staff to negotiate any points in the contract other than the purchase price , as necessary . The Manager also recommends that the Board approve the Capital Project Ordinance as attached , with a closing to occur on or prior to December 31 , 2001 . 18 NEWS(�Ji%//'lf•!' ,C:�l/Cll!� :1 �%<:If'�1l%?%�' �%'if� �% /EX'l'l'F' RELEASE ' z ky � 17 r ` YyJ1 \` a}� I, J rt f2 s + r ti �.1�r7 ui a4p 'H 4 $ /� + At r.+ rFX3 F. gy u, y,,, a tH � d' 4 ^ Zt T vA � r T . a ri 3 : t qu ` % `r r r } rrt r � zsY 12 / 14 /01 x`R r s r � �} FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE I It ._ _5 Y �4. - . r. At -..: � Imp` y�,, 7 ��jjtM++ x r = County Commissioners Approve Purchase of Historic Blackwood Farmstead for Future Park Site 5 I ! 1R s , It { a a 1 ` F _h l ;� "w Contact : David Stancil 245 =2590 ( dstancil@co . orange . nc . us ) [pt In ! Ty}�' ydd lMw. . .. l .r'. .a.:6 iw,F a s w.�.�i :: �`' On December 11 , the Board of Commissioners approved a contract to purchase a historic farm property for a new Orange County Environment and County park . The land is owned by the Blackwood family , Resource Conservation one of the County ' s oldest families — dating back to pre - Revolutionary War days in south - central Orange County . P . O . Box 8181 With the acquisition , the County will own 152 acres located 306 -A Revere Road near the intersection of New Hope Church Road and NC 86 Hillsborough , NC 27278 near the center of the County . The property is owned by David Blackwood ( Trustee ) of Cary , and Nannie Blackwood Phone : ( 919 ) 245 -2597 and Mary Blackwood who are currently in residence . Fax : ( 919 ) 644 - 3351 Nannie and Mary are two of the eight children of Herbert and Alice Blackwood , who purchased the farm in 1906 . The farm is strategically located between Hillsborough and Prepared by : David Stancil , Chapel HilkCarrboro , and is easily accessible from 1 .40 . Environment and Resource Conservation Director Most of the original farm is intact , including the old farmhouse ( portions of which date back to 1827 ) , a e - mail : dstancil@co . orange . nc . us complex of well - preserved farm structures , and a portion of the old " Stagecoach Road " running between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill . The property also contains a portion of a county Natural Heritage site — significant for the plants growing in combination with greenstone rock outcrops . There are also a three - acre pond and two streams that flow through the land and into New Hope Creek , which runs less than one mile to the southwest . A small portion of the property was sold in 1988 for the construction of Interstate 40 . Another small portion was sold for New Hope Elementary School , located directly across NC 868 Approval of the contract to purchase comes after a year- long process of site identification , evaluation and the negotiation of terms of purchase through the County ' s 19 Page 2 of 3 Lands Legacy program . The following is a selection from staff' s evaluation of the property : "The land would be suitable for a large park with a combination of active and low-impact recreational uses . Some of the current and former agricultural fields could support a various playing fields without compromising the more historic features of the property (farmstead, old roadway and vistas) . Other open lands could accommodate picnic areas and children 's play areas . The riparian areas might accommodate natural walking trails . Portions of the property could remain entirely natural including the County identified natural area (Site N09) . Stewardship and maintenance would be focused on playing fields, trail development and maintenance . The historic house and farm structures might be turned into a museum (similar to Duke Homestead in Durham) , a caretaker's residence , or perhaps a park supenntendent/ranger residence . The farm buildings might include exhibits and demonstration areas showing traditional farming practices . Interpretive signs could describe the old stagecoach road, the farmstead, and traditional farming that has occurred on this site (and the surrounding lands) by the Blackwoods, Strayhorns and Craigs since the 1700s . Such facilities might attract the general public as well groups from the nearby schools and from other parts of the county. New Hope Elementary School is located across the road and A . L . Stanback Middle School is just up the road. " "Acquisition of the historic Blackwood property is another great coup for Orange County and its Lands Legacy program , " noted Commission Chair Barry Jacobs . " This property is perfectly situated to provide easy access for citizens from both the northern and southern parts of the County , and is well suited to active and low- impact recreation . What ' s more , we ' ve managed to preserve a valuable part of our natural and rural heritage , and one of the County ' s loveliest vistas to boot . " " This is one of the most significant land purchases made by Orange County , " added Vice - Chair Steve Halkiotis , " one that will serve all the citiizens of Orange County for many , many years to come . The willingness of Orange County Citizens who supported 1997 and 2001 bond issues for open space and recreational opportunities made all of this possible . Thank you . " "This purchase is another triumph for our award -winning Lands Legacy program , " added Commissioner Alice 20 Page 3 of 3 Gordon , " especially since the Blackwood property contains so many elements of that program within its boundaries : natural areas , park and recreation sites , farmland and a historic location . We are very pleased that Orange County citizens will be able to enjoy this magnificent park for years to come . Commissioner Margaret Brown noted , " Thanks to the citizen support for the 1997 and 2001 Parks and Open Space bonds , the County will be able to pursue this acquisition . This lovely site is conveniently located between Chapel Hill , Carrboro and northern Orange County , and its proximity to two nearby schools is also a plus . " "We greatly appreciate the Blackwood family' s willingness to help retain a part of Orange County history , " added ERC Director David Stancil . " Without the family ' s civic- minded interest in seeing their farm conserved as a public park , this truly remarkable purchase would not have been possible . " The purchase price for the property is $ 2 , 064 , 000 , or $ 13 , 609 per acre . For additional information , contact : Orange County : David Stancil , 245 - 2590 ; Rich Shaw , 245 -2591 Blackwood family : David Blackwood , trustee for Blackwood heirs estate : ( 919 ) 851 - 9114 Blackwood Farm October 2001 , u •: .r1 1 I a "+ i '�• ,.,sky , ,,; , t �' , ' J f a r ` l T , F 4 ft wr h J :.t:•+fs �3,{'-'Yvr �t f" j :t . '"-•LCi n'. r oLy a =an, tol+ f o. `w �>r `.. 't +�(('N '� , '.:`t7 S /L'�rr�°2 "`• ' ..at l±%o `�} - "�'PT c . . ,i 4i.. `ch•,V. �^ i? �Va�uy. .r- . L 'otVA: 9y ' . 'i t { ' . View north from New Hope Church Rd . View south on old " stagecoach road" rc t ht r , � i_J� P . k a� rIN ; tr� a ' S ' t r4 f l 'Y �j .t (� J oeL ;�,� a " u l �f 7J:4!•: P, 'yry or it r . _ r j . J'Sy{ yr �J",1: '•( j } a : $. .� 4 .0 • _ .� f � 'Ty _ , - - �� � - . S - _ c °,F �. S;S 'k'�a r;yot i �h :y •'•c•1tifY . li y { Entrance drive to Blackwood farmstead Blackwood farmhouse ' 'f:ht• t. -e tl. : 1f i� .1'&-j it ^ t�i, a �... {•,�4, S. i Sta4 LIL �v11` "91Y� � Fl43nr� .S ON ��, ,'R "�'..�.,�r►..�M"rr-�+ y yy�•Jr" ' •.j�� .'�'F�l�: 'M1ty ,C'; ^ f_ ' V ' r qI , if 31 : x� t no 11 T 11 � . \�To V4 . � I � 6 'dtA� , lei F c View of farmstead from across pond View of barn and other farm buildings ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Gate ; December 11 , 2001 Action Ag on a item No . SUBJECT : Planning for Bcnd Sales and Alternative Gapital Financing . DEPARTMENT : County N1anagarlBudget/ PUBLIC HEARING : ( WN ) Ida ERCD ATTA HMENT ( ) : Table 1 — Potential Bond Schedule Table 2 Potential Alternative Financing INFORMATION CONTACT . Table 3 — Potential SchadLla ( Combined ) Rod Visser , ext 23Oo , I) or) ns Dean , e t Highiights of Proposed Timetables 21510, Dave Stancil , eA 2590 Graft Policy Statement — Use of County Funds for Pares /Open .Space Projects TELEPHONE NUMBERS . 1112 / 'l CH Town Council Agenda Itom Hillsborough 732 - 81 1 Draft - 2001 Bond Funds Application , Form Chapel Hill 9684501 Durham 688 - 73 1 Mebane 336627 -2031 PURPOSE . To receive a brief presentation about factory to be wnsidered in the timing of incurring debt through sale of bonds approved by Orange Co6nty voters in Novernber 2001 and through other � Itemative financing m hanisms . BACKGROUND : Daring the bond education process leading up to the Noviember g , 2001 bond referenda , the Board of ommissianers Indicated their intention to consider how the sale of the bonds might be spread over a period of several years to soften the impacts of higher tiro rates that would be needed to help pay for the debt , UpDn passage of the bonds , the Board ash:ed the Manager and staff to suggest a framework - balancing community needs with the ount ' s ourrent and future fiscal environments - that wouid outline some of the factors to be considered in timing the aa [ e of those bonds , and in using alternative financing for rerLiin , capital p rojects that were not slated to be addressed with bond funds . Proponents of all four major band categories schools , parks {open space , senior centers , and afford abIP, housing — are understandably ewer to proceed with many projects that uri11 be funded in full or in part from November 2001 bond proceeds . However , the BOCC has noted that because of competing dernandu in annual operating budgets for County general fund rescurces . band projects would need to be phased over a number of years to address the highest priorities tint . Staff have compiled ( and will briefly present at this meeting ) several tables of figures and lists of faatom that the Board may wish to consider as they discuss with bond partners ( municipalities , schools , non - profit agencies ) hoer and when bond and alternative funding projects can proceed , 3 Two other documents are presented with this age nd s item for the Board ' s d iacn ss io n L 1 . A draft policy statement on the " Use of County Funds for Joint Park and Open Space Projects " . This document was prepared at the Board ' s request and circulated to municipal govern inB . boarda in September 2001 for feedback : The Chapel I--lilI ` own Council considered the draft policy statement at their November 26 , 2001 meeting and decided that members Kevin Four and Bill Strom should work to present the Town ' s suggested refinerrents to the , pol i state mart thro ugly the I ntarg ovemme ntal F arks Wo rk G rou p process . The Board may wish to discuss hove thls policy. Matement should be finalized to guide the process for bond sales In the corning Yews . Two specific points ' of discussion that should be addressed are : a) the venue for deliberations by means of which the Board will oorrrmunicate to bond partners about fiscally feasible timelines for proceeding with varlous pro) acts ; and b ) whether the polio} statement ulfimatelyr enacted by the D OC C should be .made retroactively applicable to undistributed 1997 bond proceeds , 2 , A sample applibation form that would be submitted to the County Commissioners by .any bond partner des inng to formallysubrnit a request that 2001 bond funds be scheduled for sale to help finance a p , rticular project . FINANCIAL IMPACTI. Potential financial impacts , espeolally annual and cumulative tax rate impacts as laid out in the a = trnparlying tables , will be addressed by & taft during the presentation , RFC 0MMENDAT 10N ( ) : The Manager recotm 'merids that the Board receive the presentation , and provide appropriate direction to the Manager and staff . all 24 r: Wall �' • , J as a ', lsp so Y y� � ' s `'ME ME opal � : ME w • ti ern ,i; ` 1"y ■ � in a r, ,+s h� ry, N ,MINE % 4' Y •j 0 rI k to ? �? • r. , r ' 6, { ';a a yt .t of 4 ME 1 9 go so Am a ME m E in Lr) 4 to r lL; IV v • : as 0 MY 06 r- hti.• ' ag • ' wraw r r- � r , y, . � ' Mrt rfi Rf! 'A . O 4 # , rvr , v C � r r +. r me go � O Q Cl 111111 so 000 to rG� tl� Oti�l .Clef to 0 EVEN 0 o ¢ G a o C3 v dM yr W>• M Ur i ,`+ ; ci - WE t L r r r �x E � 2 S74 Vi ao an il► 6G m r 4' r r• - amptr y ' . F lL w{ rS ham, m � ,+• % r Mg:VVE EN ffoo Me , ,. • c a C3 U U r3 ' i - • . 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W. r06 ' 'olt a N, Highlights of Proposed TImatable November 2001 Bonds and Alternative Financing Totals $ 111 . 7 rnillion in - both bored and altorriative financing and considers various interest rates and timing of each sale , SInce the tlrning of each of these proposed schedules is such that the peak gears do not coincide , the tax rate impact for fiscal year 2008 �09 is projected to tie between 6 . 45 and 7 . 1 cents . The information outlined below offers details about each of the proposed timetables . S o November2001 Bond !& ( $ 75U111111on ) ■ Table 1 outl [ nos a potential schedule for the Board to consider as we make plans for i .s oIng the recently approved $ 75 million Mond funds , ■ In order for the County to be f tally prudent in times of unourtainty , staff recommends that we pursue selling tha bands in four I nsta 11 m ent:5 over a 4 - 1f year period . As proposed , the County would issue the final installment of bends in January 2006 . At that time , staff projects annual debt service payments would range from about $ 5 . 8 mll ; ior to $ 0 . 3 million ( dependent on various interest rates ) and equate to between 4 . 7 and 5 . 1 c ats on the tax rate . c� A Gmativa Flnanef ng J 36 .7 Million ) Table 2 outlines a potential timetab] E3 to issue $ 216 . 7 million in alternative financing over a ;5 -year ponmod to address the non � bcnd funded projects , ■ As proposed , the final gear of the alttmativa financing timetable would be July 2007 . At that time , staff estirnates annual debt service payments would range from 8bout $ 2 . 7 miElionoto $ 3 . 1 million in fiscal year 0013 - 09 . The estimated tax rate impact of the alterative financing proposal ranges from about 2 . 1 and 2A cents in fi -scal year 2 00 + 09 . ■ Throughout the band education campaign , we stressed to our voters that we would place great empha $ is en balancing the timing of our projects with6finandal considerations of Orange County citizens . The proposed schedules outline a plan that allows Commissioners to balance the Lknowns ° (the prr facts identified during the toad edu �;ation campaign ) with the uunknowns � ownomic un rtainty) The proposals attempt to meet the most pres3ing capital needs in the hoar futu r6 while we pay okose attention to the tax rate impacts and fiscal environment and challenges , The attached tables outline , by fiscal year , the projected annual debt service and the estimated tax rate impact . This multLyear plan will allow all of our bondepartners to see how each identified project , regardless of Its funding source , fits into our bigger picture that takes us from actual construction of a projec to operating the facilities once they aria constructed . 28 # Staff Pa id cl ose aften Lion to th ree major a reaa ; o nstru tin fa iiities apprived by the voters its the 75 million bond referendum Addressing other facility needs identified last spring but not included one recent November 2001 bond Considering the Counter ' s current fiscal envircriment and rrtinimizing our impact on taxpayers • Meeting the feeds o Schools ■ Enable both schcol districts to meet their highest priorfty projects in the immediate future ( Elementary #fig and health and indoor air qualit � at Hillsborough Elementary and Chapel Hill High ) Allows adequate planning time for both CHCCS Elementary # 1 g and OCS diddle School # 3 (with construction being cc mpleted spring /summer 2QQ6 and doors opening in fiscal year 200 &07 ) ■ Alternative financing , phased in over a period of time , allows for renovations of current school facilities and offers funds for CHCCS to begin planning for High School # Senlor Centers ■ Allows County to stay can target to have the Chapel Hill Senior Center ( to be located at Southern Human Bervires Center site ) opening summer 006 (as the lease on the GaIlleria expires on June 30 . 2006 ) ■ irtiee a vita has not been chosan for tha Northarn /Central Orange Center , funding for it would come in the latter part of the timetable n Furls , Recreation and Open Space ■ Allows time for County and Towns to come together and collaborate on timetables that balance both the citizens ' needs and the amount of debt we can afford each year ommunity College Satellite Campus ■ With the proposed July 2002 alternative financing timetable * there are funds to purchase land and begin planning a now facility ■ Funding for ,actual construction of the facility could begin as early as ,duly 004 29 o Farmland Consorvation. Easements ■ Some funding would be avallabie as early as July 2002 ■ A ternative finiancing . plan offers a. total of $ 3 million ( phased in over the five year plan) Affordable Housing ■ Provides funding in the first three bend sales Fiscal Outlook As we begin looking to the budget pl :arming process , we are aware that we will face some expenditure increases that will affect our tax rate — Known Elements c� 1997 Bonds — In July , we issued the second installment of 1997 bonds ( total of $ 17 . 4 million ) . The projected tax rate Impact of the related debt service for next year is somewhere bat een 1 . 75 ta . 2 oe n # s , 2001 Bonds i Should the Commissioners move forward Withwthe proposed timelines ( Tables 1 and ) , we will have some tax rate increasi — between one - half and twc>=wthins of a cant . • Unknown Eloments o Opening of Now Facilities ■ Dranga County Schools — full [ -year cost of operating Cedar Ridge High School ■ Chapel H111 - arrboro City .schools - preliminary stark- up costs for Elementary School # 9 ■ Lit#ie liver Parr , Mc o wsn Greek Park and Mapleview Soccer Field — cost of operations and maintenance Anticipated increases In Medicaid will continue to of eot the public assistance budget General operating expenses for County departments 3 © Qvvueo% ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT i eeting Cate : December 11 , 2001 Action Agenda Item No . - - SUBJECT : Birdsong Subdivision = Preliminary Plan DEPARTMENT : Plarmining Inspections PUBLIC HEARING , JYIN ) No ATTACHMENT ( E ) : INFORMATION CONTACT . 1 Resolution for Approval Craig Benedict , Planning Director , ext . 2592 2 ) Application 3 ) Agency Comments with Updated Fire MarshaJ Comments ( p . 27a ) & - - - - - - - Environmental Health Comment (p , 17a ) TELEPHONE NUMBERS . 4 ) Fiscal Impact Analysis I-iilMsboraugh 7324181 5 ) Planning Board Minutes Chapel Hill 9684501 6 ) Vicinity Maps & Reduced Plan Durham 688 -7 31 7 ) BOCC Draft. Minutes — 10116 / 01 Mebane 36 -2 7 -2031 8 ) Preliminary flat The E30CC tabled their decision on October 16 , 2001 for additional analysis on five issues . 1 . Availability of suffl ale nt water for fire protection and possit51e need for a podestrian corridor to be widened to aIlow a fire track to d raw water from thebeaver Pond . Two sources of water are available for fire protection for this subdivision , ( See November 15 , 2001 memo regarding this matter and related staffing issues on page 7a . ) 2 . Birdsong Lane cul! Aeu�sa a may be too long , limiting connectivity and EMS access . A , The stu bmou t between lots 14 and 15 provides for Birdsong Lane to be extended southwest toward Pearson Road or NC Hwy 57 should future development occur . ( Resolution Section 8 . 7 . ) [see pages 8 - ] B . The enlarged 40 -foot easement between Intl 5 and 6 provides a second access point for EMS vehicles . This pathway connects Birdsong Subdivision with May Drive the private road , which serves the three exempt lots to the east following an existing farm road . Further surface improvements will be made to ensure sufficient support for fire trucks and other emergency vehicles. ( Resolution sections B . S . & F .6 . ) [ see pages 9 and 11 ] 3 . Further clarification on the proposed private recreation apace .. The applicant has delineated a specific 2 . 4- acre area dedicated for wive recreation and a 2 , 07 - acre pedestrian trail network around the pe ri meter of the subdivision . Th i s combination ( 4 . 31 acres ) exceeds County regulations * which do not specify a type of private recreation s� paoe simply a minimum area ar�7c� unt . ( See F� e � � lution Belction E . 2 . ) 4 . Potential maintenance concerns linked to the pond , wetland area and beaver habitat . A . The applicant has increased the bu ildJng limit line from 50 feet to 65 feet away from the edge of the pond to prevent any risk of structural ti ding . ( The 65 feet distiance is UP consistent with our new stream buffer regulations . ) ( Resolution Section F . . � [see page 1 �] 31 2 B , The applicant will also add a section to the Homeowners documents that requires the Association to. maintain the pond and regulate the water elevation to its current level . ( Resolution Section F . . ) [ see Rage 101 54 Davoloper agmas to restrict further development on adjacent I G + - acre parcels A , Developer to record a document restdctln9 further subdivision an the 3 tracts . ( ResolAcm F . b ) tsea pages 1 - 1 ] Win AM P URPO Consideration of the Preliminary Plan for irdsong Subdivision , BACKGROUND . Rcgy # Applicant : Robert Tones of Brady H . Goforth & Associates , Inc . , went for Mr . & Mrs . Elie Patouli Original Track 85 . 39 acres + - IV 31 acres + - subdivided into three Iota of just over 1 O - acres each through exempt pro ; ess # 54 , 661, acre tract + / - remaining Twenty- six ( 26 ) single4amily residontlal lots on the nssrvation - cluster flexible development option ■ Average lot size = 1022 acres ( 53 , 143 square feet ) ; Gross lot size 2A 0 acres ■ Proposed open space = 20 , 44 acres ( 3784 % of situ oentroiled by the Homeowner soeiotion 6 . + I= additional acres are in the 100 - foot building ( setback) buffer, which will be protected through private covenants Location t Cedar Grime Township South side of LitUe $ River Church bRoad ( SR 1543 ) between Walnut Grove Church Road ( SR 1001 ) and NG 57 Existing Site Conditions zoning : ■ Agricultural Residential (AIR ) , Little River Protected Watershed Adjacent Land Uses . Single-family resi & ntial , undeveloped lots , active agriculture Physical . Description . Gently sloped . land wRh a mixture of hardwoods and pines Aw blue - line stream runs through the eastem third of the site Beaver darns have divided the stream into a series of shallow pools No floadplain is associated wlth the stream or associated wetlands Proposed Site ondit or e Loads : Tha subdivision will be . acce sad from LIttte River Church Road ( SRE1 3 ) • Birdsong Lana will be public and constructed to NCDOT standards The topogrsphy limits road connectivity opt Ions for this subdivision A 50 - foot " stut>" out " between lots 14 and 15 shall be reserved for future road connections to the west and must be formally dedlcated to the County as an access easement ( or right- of-+gay ) as part of the Final Plat approval process , The cu 1 - d d -sac areas shall be reverted to the adjacent lots 13 , 14t and 15 iflwhen the stubrout Is constructed . 32 4 * There are no existing connection points ( stub - outs ) in the adjacent subdivision Wilson Place ( Dawn Lane ) . A 40400t pedestrian and emergency vehicle easement shall be established between lots 5 and 6 . Designed as part of the pedestrian network , this aasement shall contain a co nstru acted travel wa y capable of supporting emergency vehicles , Residential Lots : Twenty - six (26 ) singlamfamily residia ntial lots proposers per the conservation - cluster flexxi ble development option Minimum density per Little River Protected Watershed = 1 dwelling unit per 2 acres Maximum number of lots allowed based on density = 26 I atio of number of lots permitted based on density to nu tuber proposed - 1 . 00 Average lot size = 1 . acres ( 53 , 143 square feet ) * Gross let size . 10 acres Minimum lot size per AR Zoning District = 40 ,000 square feet Min1mum lot size for clustar option ( possible lot size reduction of tip to 65 % ) = 03492 square feet lknimurn lot size using individual well and septic systems = 40 , 000 square fit * Minimum to acted lot size ratio ( IVITAR) 1 . 33 * IMpervious Surfrace lim ft for the Little River P1 = 6% Open Space .1 {proposed open space = 87 . 4 of site ( 24 , 44 Sores ) • Most of the open space includes the beaver pond area and surrounding watlands + Minimum open space required for Fle ible Development = 33 % of site ( 18 . G4 acres ) * A 2046ot and 40 -foot wide easement network provides pedestrian access throughout the open space area and links the residential lots to the private recreation space suffers : 100 - 00t open space or building buffer area along the site perimeter and between the subdivision and any off- site public street right-of-+gay (per Section lVmBAO , D2 , Flexible Development Standards ) The building buffer will also Satisfy the 804 t TypemA Land Use Buffer (serni- opaque ; intermittent visual obstructions from the ground to a height of at least thirty fact ) requirement along LFtkle Fiver Church Road Typical lot landscape plan specifies ,primary and secondary tree protaction areas The existing d ra in agaway is protected by a stream buffer calculated by Method A ( per 'Section 8 ,' 23 . 7 of Orange CountyZoning Ordinance ) # The d ra i nageway is further protected by th a 50400t b ulffe r con sisti rig of two zones ( 30400t Zone 146rested ) and (20 foot Zone 2-grassed / vegetation ) as required by the Neuse Fiver Basin regulations Recreation & Parks : Public Recreation Spaca The site is located in the Northern District Park ( per the Recreation Service Area Beu nd a ri es map ) All subdlvisrons ( not located within a flwdplain ) must provide a minimum of 1 /57 acre of recreation apace per lot (Section I - l3 - 7 - b ) • A minimum of 19 , 869 square feat (0 .456 acres ) of lead is required for {public recreation space f Or a payment in - lieu - of parkland dedication = 119830 ( 45 � 26 lots Private Recreation Space 33 4 All subdivisions must provide a minimum of 0 . 028 square feet of recreation space per land a rea d ad icated for reside ntial use ( Anti l es 6 . 1 . 1 6m 12 of the 0 ra ng a Cou my Zo n ing Ordinance , outine Land Use Intensity ( LUI ) requirements . ) O , O 8 * . 86 _- 1 . 53 acres or 66 , 647 square feet In those cases where the LUI calculation resulta in a larger amount than the public recreation space requirement of 115T acre per lot , the dlfferen ce shall be established as private recreation space far the use of the residents of the development . • - A minimum of 46 , 778 square feet of open space shall -he dedicated for private recreation Use . ( 66 , 647 — 193869 = 46 , 778 square feet ( 1 . OT acre ) ) ■ The applicant has pryaposett 4 . 31 acres for private recreation; use _ 4 - acres In an active racreation area , and 2 . 07 acres in passive pedestrian walkways well - eptic � • All lots to ha served with individual well and septic systems Final number of lots does not exceed the number approved witti the concept plan Ag erg cy Comments Requests for agency review were sent to : NCDOT , Recreation and Psrka , Orange County Schools , Soil and Water Conservation , Erosion Contmi , the Cownty Attorney , and the Fire Marshal . + Comments are attached _ p lann i nct Staff Comments The Preliminary Plan meets the wndltiIans placed on the Concept Plan approval . Revisions to the concept plan include : Complianoe with the Ne use River Basin rules that have beqen adopted since Conoept Plan approval . . Va Delineation of a building limit line along the eastern edge of lots 1 - 14 to eliminate any flood potential from the drainageway and beaver pond . Development _ r cess . Schedule . and Action Flrst Action : Planning Board to consider Concept Plan The Planning Board approved the mnoxible development concept plan for Birdsong on October 4 , 2000 with the following condItlons , 1 , Birdsong Lane shall be a public right- ofmway built to NCDOT standards with add ional five ( 8 ) foot ut fifty easements on each side , The right -ofmway at the Ulle Rigor Church Road intersection shall be improved to NCDOT standards . Sight distance triangles ( 10 ' 70 " ) shali be delineated on the plat for Birdsong Lane at the intibrsoction wiIthsLittle River Church Load . 2 , Driveway access points shall be a *minimum of 50 feet from the intersection of street righta- of-way . . Lots I and 26 shall not have direct access onto Little River Churbh Road but shall exit onto Birdsong Lane . 4 . If an entrance sign is anticipated ,and will not be placed witt�irr # h � 100 -toot building bufferT maintained by the Homeowners Association , a ' gn easement must be reserved within one of the residential lots , b . All common areas ( stream buffers , building buffers , landscape buff4rs ) must be clearly identified on the preliminary and final plats and maintained by the Homeowners Associatian . The Corr men areas cannot be subdivided or rarvrnbined with adjacent lots . Craft forms of the Homeowners Association documents , incliding restrictive covenants and conservation easements ., that contain use and maintenance provisions for the open space and buffers mast be submitted for review by the County Attorney as part of the preliminary plat approval pas se . the restrictive covenarits or oonservabon agreement shall designate a backup grantee in the event that the Homeowners Association is eliminated . . The preliminary and final plats shall contain a note restrioting further subdivision . T Each lot shall contain an adequate area for septic disposal and a repair area as approved b the Orango County Division of Environmental Health . 8 . The preliminary plat shall indicate areas for on - i #e infiltration of storm water that demonstrates compliance with Article 6 . 3 . a of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance . . The location of a I I d rai nagaways , stream buffers and flood pl a ire s shall be delineated on the preliminary and final plats , along with appropriate information regarding restriction . 10 , The developer stall establish a building limit line along the eastern edge of lots 1 - 14 to eliminate any flood potential from the drainageway and beaver pond . This line should to shown on the preliminary and final plats 11 , The preliminary plat shall shovw the location oftree protection fencing and contain a note requiring the installation of tree protection fencing prior to any grading to ensure the protection of vegetation within all buffers and open space . 12 The applicant shall dedicate a minimum of 19 , 869 square feat ( 1 /57 acre per readen #ial lot ) for pu hl is recreation space , of pay an i n i eu - of fee , as part of the preliminary plat approval process . ( Section 1 _l3J _ b Recreation Sites , Orarrye Courdy Subdivision Regulations ) , 13 , The applicant shall provide a rninilmum of 4 ,3 , 2 93 square feet for private recreation s9ace as part of the preliminary plat approval process . ( Suction I - 13 -7 _ b Recreation Sites , Orange County Subdivision Regulations ) . 14 r All street names to be reserved with G IS section of Planning D spa rtment prior to submittal of preliminary plat subdivision request . Second Action ; Planning Board to considor Preliminary Plat The Planning Board recommended approval of the preliminary plat for Birdsong ubdlvislon on September 5 , 2001 in accordance with the attached Resolutlon for Approval . i Third Action . Beard of County Commissioners consideration of Prallminary Flat 1 , The Board shall consider the application within a reasonable amount of time . . Curing deliberations and consideration of the application the Board may defer oonsIdemtIon at any paint to pursue additional analysis ar d review. 3 . If the Preliminary Plat is approved by the County Commissioners the applicant shall have one ( 1 ) year to prepare and file a Final Flat or to request a one -year extension from the Planning Director. FINANCIAL IMPACT : Fiscal Impact Analysis ( attached ) . 35 RECO fMENDATION ( S ) : Adrr Mk tration Recommendation lotion The Administration recornmends approval in accordance Frith the attached resolution . PIannina Board Recommendation September 5 , 2001 The Planning Board reoommends approval in a rdance with the attached resolution . (Vote , 9.- 2 ) Staff Recommendation The Planning, Department Staff recomm8nds approval in accordance with the attached resolution , 36 61 ALL ADJMINO PRWERTICS ZOWD AN I. ) RRWERTY LWATIED IN TW LIVILE RIVER VATERViE0 4 . IM ILL LQTS 30 = 1 TO dX K ' ' 6 JW TMKWVT StRFMX . we IM ) S"TWw " rER CALULA70 111' A W PROM ZG1113N &a317 or TIE OPAWJE Ct?IIf v romft, M _ .64 +4NCE. L73 hyr. RACRO.' Lilt WE 127 ACRE3t SURVEY FUR m Val III ,A HES L • HILL + AND }�„ •--.r �, � + ' }� ihtA ¢ HILL �•IrLO DfimI761 Flat MIAMI r ' + , . . Iva up I L 1h t Am 4 � + � y4't M; ,r'; • . . . . . ' . ; . : : .' fir � �. • 'may " . R ` ' r 1 ' �- STRSWI T Imowy� IN uA , ; - � � minPCs ; ' , . ' . . . . . . . . . , ' , 0At Ai r 1 , 16 oltqE rf , 1 � .win: ' V Moe . `vim � FIN41. PLAT • ,`` , ' . " ,' . " D3VI =4 Or PRO.POT +r FM ,�, • ,, t � . . . CLIC i , F,+4TCUL ] AN 1rt1TE { ! r if MOM •�M anti . t . . .r jIr wn IN me up OR 01! - • �a . r�tPES # , 71r -- �flcAttOr+b. . •we movIel IIIIIII � ' kk AIR, i + a I 2d r f n l � c' Q' pEaEMiRIA �` .011611p 4i IL, 4n F - 4-r.;A REST 0 .. _ R * ," LESS CIS# [ MEhMY _ .�IN � ' ti '� • . i' Abom ' � a. �L R . # - •�.aa I ..A+ • Flr [1L i'. . + i ,4 . r 9 WAS - , � —r__ � � � *,. � . _ � 1 _ + �¢• � Ti 'tiles Y . a fLAw r . . . 4 an MA we 0 4 �Im & S t 1 I 1 IL low wL11 WOO % "All OlIff I + I We Q F.' FINAL PLAT i ti I y � , . • . F • SUIDIVIS 1N GF FRoPERT7 Fmk 4 CLa r_ MTMLL Me VCFE 0 NAr 7t . $ATIMU ! All In Am me * t • X. MAN MIN, y1 ' + f •'r" It ` r�} �' I • ~ + ' . . q pp PRATE . • oil . ' . ' . . r � p It 4 � Poem 4L � � W Am mop, -. ..yyyy _ Jar oul me 0 see 'd AIM I 1, , . .' i ' . ' ' . J . 4 olow �+ If or 00 now - a a 0 rr 1 PLAT a T � � r`^ ^ i � ` Surwylsoh+ V PKPCN7T FDA xr � - CLIC T . IIATUAT pua WIFE � 37 ORANGE COUNTY - BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date , De eoember 11t 2001 AcAlon A9011da 1 Item No . SUBJECT : Fox Hill Farm Central — Preliminary Plan DEPARTMENT : Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING : ( YIN ) N ATTA HMENT ( ) : INFORMATION CONTACT . 1 ) Resolution of Approval ( pp . 4 ) Eddie Kirk , Planner IL Extension 2582 2 } Diagram of Roads ide Landscaping ( pp . ga and 9b ) 3 ) Application ( pp . 9Cc )4 ) Vicinity Map ( pp . 13 ) TELEPHONE NUMBERS * 5 ) Agency Comments ( pp . 16 ) Hillsborough 73 - 1 81 6 ) Flscal Impact Analysis ( pp . 3 ) Chapel Hill 9684501 7 ) 1 O - 3 = 01 Draft planning Board Minutes ( ppr . 39 ) Durham ($ M7331 8 ) Letter from Applicant ' s Engineer ( pp . 42 ) Mebane ( ) 2274031 9 ) B OC 0 Graft Minutes from 11119 / 01 ( pp . 43 ) 10 ) Prelllminary Flan ITEM TABLED ON NOVEMBER 19 , 2001 for addItional information on the following Items : 1 ) Build a center left tum lam on New Sharon Church Road with Phase 3 - [developer has agreed and condition has been placed in Rasolution of Approval . ( Saa B . 8 in Resolution of Approval on page 5 ) . 2 ) Build Fox Fill Farm Drive through to Baldwin Rioad with Phase 3m Developer has agreed and Gand6c) n has teen placed in Resolution of Approval . ( See 13 . 9 in Resolution of Approval ran page 6 ) 3 ) Fire control access to the pond shall be provided with Phase 3 - Developer has agroed and condition has been placed in Resolution of pproval . See F . 3 in Resolution of Approval on psge 7 4 ) To negotiate a right turn taper on Baldwin road at southern entrance - N DOT will not allow right turn tapers without full storage and taper lanes ( minimum standards for N DOT turn lane are 100 storaga lane and a 220efoct taper) . Administration raoommends that the original request ( i . e . 304cct radios and a 50 -foot transition taper ) from the Boardof County Commissioners he fowardod to NDDOT to permit an acceptable right tum lane ' different than the tyPLCalstandard , at the southern Baldwin Road entrance . See R . 11 in Resolution of Approval on page h ) 5 } Reward the language for the required 30 Foot type A roadside t uffersw Wording has been rovi :sed in the Re lution of Approval , � See C . 2 and attached diagram on pages 9a and 9b ) 6 ) Installation of recycling facility - In summary , the response is to reserve a location for a recycling center to be used for that purpose it the owner , HOA and the County can later agree to locate a reoycl1ng center on the reserved Iand Developor does not agree at this time to oonvey propertyto the Homeowners Association ( HOA ) to be made available to the HOA for a recycling center for the Fox Hill Farms community , Administration recommends that an area be reserved and shown~ on a portion of the open space area located ad' acent to and south of Lot 157 on the north side of Fox Hill Farm Drive for a recyclQ9 facility , A recycling facility may be established on this property if agreement is reached to do so among the owner , the HOA and n rn nr un ran i i nhi r% r" n Qi � tr3nt tiuifh nrmnnn ( ni i ntgo ' � (Z ^ 1 ire LA � o eta n njn roti rtiri nnl Cr• i � a ! f a r� r+ t � r� l 1 nn 3 2 center is located in the reserved area , the final plat will describe the area , the reyoling center property w0l be conveyed to the HOA . or Orange County , and the declaration of covenants will be revised to provide for the recycling center and its maintenance , (See F . 7 in Resolution on page 8 ) PURPOSE : onsideration of the Preliminary Plan for Fox Hill Farm Central BACKGROUND . Request — Prelimina1y Plan Applicant : Bob Zumwalt, agent for Randolph 0 . Fox L � 5etween Baldwin (load and New Sharon Church Road in Eno Township . Subdivision follows the Conservation - Cluster Option of Flexible Development . _ - . .. . — Lots Average Lot Size : % Open space. Acres Open Gross ace' Flexible 1 91 y . 37 ; 33. . _ 101047_ _ .. Existing and Proposed Candltlons Existing : # Total acreage is 307 . 43 acres . a The entire su hd ivi s io n is located in the Wu5e River Basin , 0 A portion ( approximately 50 % ) of the property is in the Lower Eno protected watershed . 0 Current zon1ng is Agricultural Residential (AR ) mite . density _ 40 , 000 sq . ftJ dwelling ) 0 Minimum lot size is 401, DOO square feet 0 The proparty is currently under farm use value taxation . Physical Foaturos 0 Thera are several designated stroarris on than track. 0 The site is mostly wooded with a m ixt; u re of pines and hardwoods . Adjacent Land Ilse . 0 Properties to the east and west are subdivided . Properties to the north and south are undeveloped . Proposed . Roads . 0 Access is from Baldwin and New Sharon Church Road . The subdivision road loops through the property with culAe-sacs extending from this road . All roads are to be constructed to NCDOT standards with 5' Atllity easements on each side . +� Estimated trips per day is 952 , ( a . m . peak = 73 ; p . m . peals _ 98 ) , All access intorsoctions are expected to operate at level of service B or better under anticipated traffic demands . 0 Phasing as proposed will result in 33 lots being placed on a cul -de- sac at the end of Phase II Conno on through to Baldwln Road is advisable for a ssibili r ty for fire and paramedic emergency vehicles as noted in Administration recommendation . Open pacelBu rs : 101 A acres (33 %) of Homeowners Association ( HOA ) maintained open space proposed o Little Creep , ( gray on the map ) , is a U blue line stream 0 , e , perennial ) will be a part of the HOA open space The two intermittent blue line , unnarned tributaries are also within the designated HOA open space ., io. ,t0% MA% "% 1 rartirLw rv* ^ %Ae%% irs} =FfNe rm finn mmmirtirior P%f t oa HOA nnin 'i nnac.p. 39 0 Roadside buffering and setbacks provided alortig Baldwin and Now Sharon Church Roads ra Average of 'I . '16 acres of in - lot open space per lot . 0 MlnlMQM to acloal density ratio ( MTADR ) = 3 , 67 . 0 100 foot building setback along perimeter required under flexible dewelopment is provided 0 Homeowners Association documents filed for maintenance of open space and buffer water swer ; 0 Individual wells . 0 Indi ideal sep # ic systems Rec reati on li 0 Northern District Park ( 91 lots 455 = $ 41 , 405 ) . 0 No dedi coat Ion is warranted because no county recreation or resource area hea been identified at this tirne . The payment - inmlieu opticrti is Friable . Agency Comments : 0 Comments attached from NCDOT , Environmental Health and Emergency Management . Development Process , f(adu1e _ and Action Planning Boards. 0 FIrat Actions. Concapt Place approved by the Planning Board April 4 , 2001 with the following conditions : 1 . The intersection and read alignments on the Preliminary Plan shall meat N DOT standards . . HomGownere Association documants shall be submitted with the preliminary plan that provide for maintenance of the Open Space . . A note shell be placed on the plan stating that the proposed northern bar= pa 'sS , which is pert of the adopted HIUsborough Thoroughfare Plan may be 10AGated near the northern property lire of Nos development . The precise alignment has not been determined prior to review of this plat . Preliminary Plan addresses conditions of approval of the incept Plan . The subdivision design has not charged from the Concept Flan . a Second Actlon . 1 . The Planning Board in a unanimows vote recommended approval October 3 , 2001 , 0 Third Action ; Eloard of County Commissioners , on November 19 , 2001 , tabled the subdivision and directed staff and developer to address the six issues on page 1 of this abstract . 0 Fourth Action : BOCC to rake decision Options , 1 . The Board shell oonsider the application within a rea noble eMoU nt of time . Outing deliberations and consideration of the application the Board may defer consideration at any point to pursue additional analysis and review . . If Preliminary Flan is approved by the County Commissioners the ,applicant shall have o na ( 1 ) year to prepare and file a Final Plat or to request a one - year extension from the Planning Director , FINANCIAL IMPACT , Fisoal Impact Analysis included as an attachment . RE OMME DATION ( s ) : Afministrat " .Qn, Approval of the Preliminary Plan in a0cordiance with the attached Resolution of Approval . Planning Soard Approval , in accordance with the attached Resolutior) of Approval , Plannino Staff Aiaaruvai . in accordance with the attached Resolution 40 4 RESOLLMON F THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COU14TY COMMISSIONERS Efate : December 11 , 2001 Dame of Subdivistenw. Foy€ lilt ) Farm - Central Owner/Applicant. Bob Zumwalt, agent for Randolph D . Fox The Board of County Comniss inners hereby m approves Fux Hill Farm- Central guhd.ivi lion preliminary plat , dated Sqpwmber 20 , 2001 and contaml ing 91 lots , suhjcct to the fulfillment of requirements specified herein. Farm gate T rivc , Windflower PlaQr, , Lee Fox lane , Fox Hill Farm Drive , Gear Stiine Way , Still Meadow Lane , tarfire Place and Springfield Place shall be h bly dedicated to the general pudic and be constructed to standards of the North Carolina DVa=ent of Trportation. The approval of this remlution authorizes and d.i� ects the Orange Cry} unty ans Manager to accept for Orange County and on btxbalf of the public generally , the offer of dWication of Farm Gate Drive, Windflower Place, 1,ee Fox Lane, Fr)x Hill Farm Drive , Cedar Stone Way , Still Meadow Lane , Starfire Place and Springfield Place , Th s acceptance by Orange County of the dedication to the geni xal pudic of Farm Gate Drive , Windflower Place, . Lee Fox Lane , Fox bill Farm Drive , Cedar Stone Way , Still Meadow Lary , Starfire Place and Springfield Plam shall be without maintenance responsibility _ These reads shall the maintained by the owncriapp] icant until such time as they are accepted for maintemmo a by the North Carolina T partmeat of Transportation or some other govcrnm =ntnl body . Before the Final Plat of Fm Hill Farm- Central can be recarded . A . Sewage Mpwosal 1 , Each residential lot shall coutam an adequate area for septic disposal , and repair area, approved by theOrange County Division of Environmental health . Zr The septic system location may restrict the size and location of improvements . This disclosure shall, be included in a document describing development restrictions to be recorded concurrently with the Final Fiat . The document shall also disclose that information regaxdiuug the tentative locati o septic systems is available from the _ €� range County Healthy Department, Division of Environmental kelealth _ B , Roads and Amess 1 . Fain Gate Drive, Windflower Place , .lie Fox Lane , Fox Hill Farm Drive , Cedar Stone Way , Still Meadow Lane, Starfire Place and Springfield Place shall be constructed to standards ' of the North Carolina Department of Transportation , vwr'thin a So toot right- of- way with 5 foot utilityeasernenLg on each side , and the 41 construction shall be inspected and approved by NCDOT . OR A letter of credit , escrow ag rcment , or bond shall be submitted to secure oonmtruction of Farm Gate Drive , Windflower Place , Lee Fox Lane , Fox Dill Farm Drive, Cedar Stone Way , Still Meadow L,aite, Swiftre Place and Springfield Flag to the standards of the North Carolina Department of Transportation . An estimate of the construction cc �.,;t must be prepared by a certified /licensed engineer or grading co=actor and submitted to the Flaring and Inspections Depart=nt , The financial guarantee must reflect 110 % of that esrtimate and be issued by an accredited financial institution ileen s ed to do business in Forth Caroling. The document describing development restrictions to be t= rded with the Final Flat shall state that the financial guarantee will not be released until the road mmstruction has been i mpeeted and approve by NCDOT . All iotis shall receive acce.Lo; firm the irdjerual subdivision roads , No driveways shall be perTnitted within 50 of a street intersection _ Dots 126- 128 anti lots 142= 145 shall implement combined drivew ays. A non -soh i wlar access easement shall be recorded along Fort Hill Faun Drive from the Baldwin load inters Lion to the western IoL lines of lot 194 and 195 with the ex Lion of 50 " for a driveway on ] at 1 ,57 ,and a 3046ot eatrance for a potential recycling facility . 3 . An erosion control plan for eonstrurtion of the roads shall be submitted by the applicant to the Orange County Erasion Control Division for review and approval prior to any disturbance on the site . 4 . Approved street name signs shall be erected at all intersections prior to recordation of the final plat . 50 prior to any Construction or alteration of any existing access withmi the right-of- way of New Sharon Church Road or Ballwin RL%ad, the developer /owner sball secure a driveway permit from the NCDOT ]district Office . Submit a cagy of the NCDOT- approved pernut and letter to the Planiiing Department ai the same time as the request for Planning Department %i Lures on the final Plat . 6 . Sight triangles ( lit � x 70 , ? shall be shown on the Final Flat at each intersection . 7 . A note shall be placed on the final plat which indicates the proposed northern By - pas ,'; , which is part of the adopted Hillsborough Thoraughfarc PLan , may be located near the northern property lice of this &velopriylent . The precise alignment was noL deLerminW aks of tilt r rd.irig ref this plat. S . A ecnter left turn lane ork Nuw ,Shar(m Church Goad at the Farm Gate Drive rntersection shall be constructed to NCDOT standards prior to Planning Depa=ent signatures on the H real Flat ro r Phase 3 . 6 9 . Fox Hill Farm Drive from Farm Gate Drive to Baldwin Riyad shall be constroctr to NCDOT sUwdwdS prior to Pla 7g Department signatures on the Fil Flat for Phase 3 . 10 , Dedicate 5 ' additional right-of-way along New Sbaran Church Road and Baldwin Road to melt collector road right-of-way srandards as identified in the Comprehensive Plan and required in Section -13 -3-c- 1 of the Subdivision Regulations . 11 . Build or bond a right turn lane accep [ah le to NCDOT , based onNCDOT angiwer to the Bi. CC request (30 ' radius and 504bot taper) regarding Baldwin Road turn lane , at the southern Fox bill Fay Drive cutrainc prior 10 recordation of Phase 3 final plat . If bonding is the option chosen by the developer, the turn lane Diust be completed prior to issuance of occupancy permits for any structures in Phase 3 , c . Land Use Buffers and Landscaping 1 . 1zidicaping shall be histaliedi or pro5erved as indicated on the approved landscape plan , and must be inspectal and approved by the Plarming and Ins-peclions Department, IMASCapmg shall be placed behind the Eight triangles at intersections . . DR Guaranteed finaru ]ally through a letter of credit , escrow agreement{ or bond submitted to se= reriired landscape irisWlation and preservation . An estimate of the; cost for required preservation, plantings and their installation must be provided . The financial guarantee shall reflect 110 percent of the estimate and be issued by an accredits fmancial institution licensed to do business in Forth Carolina , prov' us for protection of existing trees as shown on the approved landscape plan shall be iaolut+ded in a document dmxibing developmW restrictions and requirerneinu to be prepared by Plaming Staff and recorded concurrently with the Final Flat . Igo clear cutting oa individual lets per ,motion IV-l3 -8 - c of the Orange County Subdivision Regulations . 2 . A Type A Lmd Use Buffer shall he provided. along Now Sharon Church Road within the Homeowners Association open space and along Baldwin load as shown on the Preliminary Platt_ The buffer shall be 30 feet in width on New Sharon Church Road and contain at It! t 50 ever "n vegetation , forming semi- c gat{ue Yttters'ttent visual obstructions from the ground to a height of at least thirty ( 30) feet . On Baldwin road the buffer shall be a rninimum 30 feet in width and shall be +composed of deciduous and /or evergreen vegetation , forminng s iropaque intermittent visual obstructions f om the ground to a be ht of ar least thMy (30) feet . Said buffer shall be sty noted on the plat , and described in a document describing development restrictions and requirements to be prepared by Planning Staff and recorded conzurrently with the Final Plat . The buffers shalt be inami twined by the Hom,eowrners Association, 43 t D. Drainage 7 1 . Locate drainage easements on the final plat as required following review and approval of the Erosion Control Plan . 2 . Drainage culverts shall be sized and IoQatml aN YrquITW by I CDOT and a North Carolina 11unstl Pro fess inal Eagirteer . 36 impemous surface clam as pursuant to Ailiclo 6 . 3 . 3c . 1 of the Zoning Ordinance shall be included in a document describing development restrictions and requirements to be prepared by Plaaain Staff and recorded concurreutly with the Final Fiat , The impervious ,surfatc c limitations #'or ea►eh lot shall indicate whether the impeTvieus 8 urface ineludes or exciudes onewhalf ( 112 ) of the road width in the calculations _ E, Parkland 1 , Cash in tLe amount of $41 ,405 - 00 shall be paid to Orange County as pa)ment in lieu of parkland dediGation prior to reWrdanun of the rMai plat . , The second paragraph of S tion -B4� b of the Orange County SubdIVisinn Regulation 's references the required ininimum recreation space ratio in the OMigeCountyZoning Ordinance . Article 5 . 1 , 1 , which requires 0 .029 square feet of recreaivn sp = e per land area dedicated to residential use [0 . 028 97 . 93 = 5 . 34 acres or 363 , 379 square feetI . ire those cases where the rcquirrxl minimum recreation :,pace results in a larger amount than the public recreation space requirement of 1/57 acre per lot , the dsffereucc shall be cstabiishecl a.W, private recreation space for the use of t4c xcsidonts of the development i36S , 379 - 69 , 543 = 293 , 836 square feet (6 . 74 acres) . The developer has planned 101 . 47 acres of open apace (33 ) to be maintained by the Hotneow= 5 Association , wbIL;h satisfies the Cuunty requirements for private recreation use . F. miscellaneom 1 . The Final Plat shall contain a title block and vicinity map in accordance with Section V� 13 �2 ssul V- I3 _3 of the Orange County Subdivision Regulations . 2 . Drainage easements shall be provided as required by D . 1 . abcIve . 3 . A dry hydrant shall be Installed in the pond IcNat,ecl In Prase 4 . The pond shall mcct the specific rcqu. =z mts as required by Emergency Management . This would identify a useable water source for fire scippre sion . The dry hydrant shall be constructed during the construction of phase 3 with an all weather surface provided to the pond until Fox Hill Farm Drive and Starfirc Place are consmuct . 4 . The open space sbail be conveyed into the 1Tomeowncr ' s siociation as each phase of the subdivision is recorded . 51 A I 004bot building s etbac k shall be prov ided around the per imeter o f the Z � subdivision . A 1504bot building setback easemem on lots 164 , 165 , and 166 shall be provided along Baldwia load as indicated on the Preliminary plan . 6 . A 20400t ;vide pedestrian access eascment shall be located in lot 191 along the northern property lino next to lot 190 f rorn the. opea space area to Fox Hili Farm Drive . 7% A recycling fad 11Ly may be establt had on this property if an agmement is reached among the owner, the 10A and ge County wnsistent with Orange C Dun ter ' s Solid Waste operating policies . The open space area, located south of and adjaccnt to Lot 157 and north of Fox Hill Farm Drive in Phase 3 , shall be reserved on the Final plat and designated as a potential rcoycling facility. If an agreement is reached , the resorved area shalt be conveyed to Chi tiOA or Orange County. Maintenance of any property conveyed to the HOA or Orange C, ounly for a Fox Hill Farris Community recycling ccntcr wL i he the responsibility ofthe 14 {�A or orange County as agreed to by Orange County and tho tf OA . The declaration of covenants skull be revised to provide fbr the recycling cent' and its maintenancc. G_ Certifications 1 . A Certificate of Survey and Accuracy signed by a Professional Land Surveyor sbull be notarized an the facc of the Fiuu] Plat . 2 , A Cerftificate of Declaration and Matinumance in Cher form provided itt Section D =&b of the Orange County Subdivision Regulations signed by the lando vner � developer shalt be on the face of the plat and included in a daoument describing development restrictions to be recorded concur=tly with the Final P12t . 3 , The North Carolina Department of Trari:Spartatiart 4M11 certify that Farm Gate Drive, Windflower Placc , Lee Fox Lane, Fax Dill Farm Drive, Ce �r Szoac Way , Still Meadow Lane , Starfirc Place and Springfield Place have been constructed. to State stndard.s or that conMiuctlun plans have been approvod prior to Plannir rs final plat , 4 . A Certificate of Approval signued by the rancCounty Flarjsiin and Inspw, eons Departn=t . NOW rrHEREFORJE $E IT RESOLVED by the Board of Grange County commissioners that tho Preliminary Platt for Fox Hill Farm Central Subdivision is approved in accordance with the above mentioned conditions and attached Preliminary Plat dates September 20 , 2001 . Upon motion of ConunisIoner _ t s ndod by Conunissioner the forego 'Ing resolution was adopted thI8 the � day of = _ , 2001 . 1 , Beverly A . Blythe , Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the Couuty of Orange , North Carolina , DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of We much of the 45 proceedings of said Board at a meeting held on , 001 as relates in any way to tho adoption of the forego 'lug and tbai sail proceedings, ar r �c orded in M mute Book No . of the minutes of said Board . WITNESS my hand and the seal of said County , this day of 2001 _ Clerk to the Board of COrnlissloners 46 11 Traffic Impart Analysis Fox Hill Farm mm Central Hillsborough , NC Prepared for: Randolph D . Fox Fax dill Farm , wLLC September, 200I FaOHIWAOD y 58960 � e�1na ■ ti t � 4M 1 . 0 Executive Summary The proposed Fox Dill Farmq Ccntral delo•elopmcnt is located rim Hillsborough , forth Carolina between. Baldwin Road and New Sharon Church Road . The proposed to elopm nt Vrill Consist of an additional 1 single - family dwelling Umts . The site will be accessed via two drivewsys onto Baldwin load and one ontc New Sharon Chuicoh Road . Completion Mull build- out) is antimpd in } near 2003 , i The site is estimated to generate an addition l 951 total trips daily, with 73 and 99 occurring during the AM and PM peak hour, respectively . It should be, noted that these trips generation estimates are a total of both erittmor and exiting vehicles . In addition to qtP a throe percent annual gmwth rate, traffic: generation for the pre %gously approved 49 single- family d %velling units was also included in the anal.){sI54 s study has been performed to determwi a the future traffic IM is of the development on the surrounding str=t network , Based on this analysis , the adjacent street network ��1111 opemte at a good averalI l eJm0f mrvicc . Inkrsecticns * in the area will operate at level � o ff scr%gco ( LOS ) 13 or better . Average daily traffic counts on Baldwin Road and New Shin Chi h Road are not expected to exceed 3000 vehicles per day . Based on anticipated traffic volumes md NCDOT standards , neither left turn iaaes nor right turn Imes are required at site driveways . A Meld investigation has confined that adequate sIght distance is present at all site driveways . �7 LO Us a , 00 a goo� . 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II It 1 Y l ' ] k • WIN y F . . fWEK �.` ' ; ` — WE Was we a M401 do oft Offmasto 1J , ti I Y } ' + —r,r, 011 Now "WINE Ed e L an to I a 0 1 , 19 6 0A an a I F ME an= r ► ran i � ::L r � F ad r4y : no pr � or L Fri a L an uL its � !! 1 S - � � ' = N Il•I 3i� E an , 110 F , t , s I IF __ atI ME Iit I � � ` ,}FF va at L Ed h ; rC a � LMPM Its Si Additional Information Items Commission for the Environment January 14 , 2002 Agenda Par a 0 n purchase a roved PP 0 iz - /S' 01 County to buy farm for $ 2 million BY STEPHAAN HAR.RIS STAFF WRITER Orange County plans to spend $2 million on 152 acres of historic farmland between Hillsborough THE NEWS & � and Chapel Hill that will be the site Rom PageOne 1�of a new park, officials announced AB 0 DECEMBER 15 , 2001 Friday. The county commissioners ap- proved the $ 13 , 609,-per-acre pur- a complex of farm structures and a chase of the largely wooded land - LAND portion of " Stagecoach Road," an Tuesday, located near New Hope CONTINUED FRo►v1 PAGE 1 B old highway that runs from Hills- Church Road and N . C . 86 . The borough to Chapel Hill . The proper- property is owned by the Black- would fit well into the county's plans ty also has a 3-acre pond and two wood family, one of Orange Coun- to acquire preservation sites . streams that flow through it into ty ' s oldest, predating the Ameri- "We felt like . . . it would be a much New Hope Creek. can Revolution , better angle to go at rather than try The property has remained large- The deal, scheduled to be final- to sell it to a developer, " said David ly intact for more than 200 years , ized by next week, is part of the coup- « Blackwood , a Cary resident. It although small parcels were sold for ty's Lands Legacy program, which tries to acquire land for preservation would allow for the i ty of prop- the construction of Interstate 40 and ntegri or recreation. Plans for the Black- erty to stay intact. New Hope Elementary School . WNWdo wood land have not been finalized, Most of the original farm is still but the historic farmstead will there, including an old farmhouse Staff writer Stephaan Harris can he reached remain intact, officials said. (portions of which date back to 1827) , at 9324015 or shams@newsobserveuom " The property is a combination of everything that's important for our natural and cultural resources, " said David Stancil, county environment and resource conservation director. "We're very appreciative of the fam- ily working through us . " The property is co -owned by sis- ters Mary and Nannie Blackwood, both in their early 80s , and the younscst children of Herbert and Alice Blackwood, who purchased the farm in 1906. Co-owner David Black- wood, the sisters ' nephew, said the family decided to sell the land after determining that the two women would be better off living where they could be cared for. The family also thought about sell- ing the land to a developer, Black- wood said. But a neighbor who knew Stancil suggested that the property SEE LAND, PAGE 4B 23 county finds for future pailk Family to sell 152-acre the past couple of years toward New Hope Church Road creating public parks around the p county, largely through its Lands farm for $2. IM; deal is Legacy program. latest step in arks plan Back in11906, Herbert and Alice p p. p Blackwood bought the property . along New Hope Church Road and By ROB SHAPARD raised eight children on the farm. chh@herald-sun. com; 732= 6397 Gary Blackwood, David's father, moved to Durham, but the other HILLSBOROUGH — Orange siblings remained on the farm. County has agreed to pay about Nannie and Mary Blackwood, $2 . 1 million for a former dairy David's aunts, live on the property farm between Hillsborough and r now but will move in the next few Chapel Hill as the future site of a months , county park. The family name figures in the The property includes about 152 nearby railroad crossing along acres along New Hope Church N. C. 86 known as Blackwood Sta= Road near its intersection with tion, but David Blackwood isn't N.C . 86, just northeast of Inter- sure exactly what the connection state 40. A park there eventually is, he said Friday. could feature recreation fields, While living in Durham, Black- trails, open space and farmstead wood's parents and siblings called exhibits, although the county is far a visit to the old family farm from . deciding uses or setting a "going out home, " and they went timetable for opening the park d there frequently. Blackwood is 54 "It's a very, very pretty piece of now and lives in Cary with his own property," said David Blackwood, family. 41 who helped negotiate the sale on "There are a lot of neat memo- behalf of his family and is serving , ries out there," he said. "In the as an unofficial spokesman. summer, I'd go out and spend a The purchase is the latest in sev- eral steps the county has taken in please See LAND/PAGE .6 Cr m w 4 . Ind w > 'C '� w c � t� � b �. H � � $2 > � C7 q G 'd oq 0 T C oc CD 0 ►-' O � w w C O ° o `c ► 0 e C o. �* � cDr � � w , .�' � • a, a o CD ;T' C Pool Ow �0=3 a' S , CD 5 rC-r Cn e c. . o 'C 5 mod . C r•r • ,5 0 CD CD 0 C C x '� ,.. . v ►� C �, ' �' CD m+ `d 0 M En CD *d • cn w w r-s 0 � r� CD cD w ,� rr a o G" o Imml cn O r. . cn 0 w r.t rr p � , .e rn to . x' Uq p ' Lr . 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'--M.TrItLILr_';ii+..I-rI1.1rI'.m I,g1T'II I..TrFF'b.1r �%r.l_r­I.*I rlI.t�v �l.Irr!1�rrn T'foan le w" IderaeirI s ® n s last , r,1. I.III I I ' R e I ,g) . i I. 5 rF ;,1;. IZ Tr 1I r.FpI 6. kI II 1. 5�, ° n `r �f tleNe ' \ Conservationists have identified five undevelopeiT �, ', tf1FA areas all of them alon rivers and streams , thatflI rrt Vi II Wl laCeS %Yi F, ; .. ��4� gp tttt7e , j M r0r.f �y I.- hey think should be saved as opens ace . Thep_- Hillsborough �I `SDI �aO ive largely roadless forests have suvived into theFno rd� 4 z 4, q q , � �$ 21 st centu as nei hborin woods® n Wanted list I0. M' , + er m} 5y ry } ? gfr � ry g g12 ^ Lr �,r - N\ ` . . ; 85 ' 4pSrI142. sa have fallen to the bulldozer, Nrc : 14 { H4rr `W k � 3�� but without coordinated c; BY JAMEs ELI SHIFFER C7itANGi= �� � ��, , tti a, F iyb' z Go �Jt*ITY = ` Y � 01 �t °° . l 1Nake .% action they too are rI s I ,Foresf STAFF WRITER Ci�a'* ~, y tt likely to turn into They are the last big woods of the 70 `4. � r x t� Triangle — five areas of privately cI .. I ", .\A , .r. '� � , 40 � � ^ µ Rolesvllle - I homesites , nE t- - , T F r} L 40� roads and owned deep forest that have some- yr J ' r �TP4N E W, Ke i a 3 ` A it-'Y ; _ `, . FS m � S k � 'rm how survived in one of the nation's ` is a� t � t a,,s V C�t.JNTY businesses . r ` fastest-growing areas . Now conser E501 t Fv�}I ` * , zI l-t;r!tI.-i?-I.�W.I-.w�l4"'I ir-.`-�4t,:i.,;RI..iL rr7:L 1,-I r,il,a;n�.,.:S,4i,.A 7i-;�:1,r i 2',r_r.:rV".i.7L-..11--,,Iw�*.+11�,�to�4 war T I , x Knr ht gle zebulon vationists hope to get to them before 4 !,.5 } cFI THr+; 1 - 1 a g 4 r. 6 f T }a .I V �FjltatelgK� ' 7 � t +A` . planned highways and other van COUNTY �� `3 ° '4z � , ,� ^ ti N, �NEndell guards of urban growth make them i , yA 5 64 ALe>xT3 yK ttT � ; ' 11 . _ too valuable to leave in trees . Il r Plttsboro r tit ` ` 0 _ . _ j %T t�? . ! ? " 1 The Triangle Land Conservan Is airy k''�y � �' * �� ,. c;Im`I t ; g cY X _ t � l T 5 _� � JOIiNSTOtd I �I+k?-+IIwLF.T.�rji.I&.ri..Ir:�;r,r,r--I r-.,r t._I;.r.I r,.'r r�r-lr i�6IT:T`.,.Zi."'.r..5.,i.r..r4�.l ZI'-r�.,Lrj�l 1"_".Il,W 4T 1l.:-71'r.VI r 1 II+jiL.:=,.;-L'F-�.1.:IIr L�`I.-'Ir IltIr.1r­:.ri�_T rt�: focusing on two stretches of the = g _ ;sk�nhls Al a b,w °uNTY - A"7 Neuse River in Wake and Johnston N t ,v�r `` , 3. ijjj . 401 1 :: , ;s '7AII._Tj%r.I-r:II:W.TT 4 1 A*.F.I.;-.IA.F.`.a1I r�IjI..rI�11�,FlIl'1*l%�t,I.4.a-,*I ld I.-.I l-I�.L,z.rI.6i rF..if%,4.Il,.II...lII:-L"`Fll-"4.-,v I-4.Id.rT;Ir.I-*III._t,.T.,w+F.WF,r�6I+i"-"I:,o I'sI..� - t 1 R3 i d fl r 7U - a counties the Little River and New ' 421 , � ' ` IIL'I �S°n's ' * � ' pV r �Q/�/4 5 FUC� U T lit$ MICrO J ; "' Hope Creek in Orange and Durham ;1d1ce f �� Vattr aa : T °,� le ' : ands ._MjL+Es . . X� `° ,5� P %' \ _' the Deep River In Chatham and . ;' . :. �*xr I .i 'cry LE-1r ^�I` µ��' a A.,� S.:,i� Z` SmlthT/I in �ne i.:. Lee. Today these places are blank k r c r ,. 3 _ t� Levet ut� rY e 4 y spots on the map, hundreds of acres ` ' ` ��p f f' 47 Four ;f% 95 ' s s x Oaks ;. offorests swamps lakes fields and e r W Qsanford X � Rdilgl # FrnN, ;, , L Princeton ; it+',,; ) ) ) tszr , T . Jye4sP ' pastures crossed by few if any paved " ; ti` 3oi 1 h , n t ', ,% roads . ; 'i s r 5 I i yIF dot tee, k One of them known as the "Let- L f ��` ' °1 : -: hk Priority land 'c ' Lones in southeastern Johnston ` � _ = . fitj�z rotection areas '� , '� County, covers 46,000 acres where the P 1, " Source : Triangle Land Conservancy ti. Neuse twists and turns through ` ` cypress swamps , oxbow lakes and bottom landhardwoods. The conser- OLittle River ( Orange and Durham ® Deep River (Chatham and Lee ® reuse River Let-' Lones (Johnston . . . 1 vancy is close to a deal to preserve , counties) : The two forks of this river . counties) : With less development , County) : A remote and flood - prone 1000aeresthereforanewstate flow through forested uplands and pressure than the other sites , this stretch of the Neuse with 10 .,9hiII.....��:I 1.%,I.%.r%.k II',%I-S$I%.I:t:4I1L I�ANIV.II..%!LkI'"II.iIII�-%%I,.I+.%I_&4I.rI I I�.IJftI t11,II%Fl 4III'� ' pk a scenic gorge before empptying Piedmont waterway is rich in perennial streams , 12 oxbows , into reservoirs . Otters , reTbellied history and wildlife and beloved by several large ponds and three SEE WOODS, PAGE 20A snakes and rare mussels live there . paddlers , large and prominent wetlands . It ' s ® New Hope Creek ( Orange and , 0 Neuse River and Mark's Creek one of the largest undeveloped Fr%, ``"`1 . Durham counties) : A surprisingly wild (Wake and Johnston counties) : Two roads areas in Eastern North Carolina . � ' stream flows through Duke Forest cross this area of 7 , 500 acres . before crossing the rapidly Mark ' s Creek flows through developing corridor between extensive wetlands and bottom . I T. MOSIER/The News & Observer''``' '' ` Durham n a d Chapel Hill . land hardU mod forests . . I % really start focusing on its `million floods to be tamed for civilization. ,,,.i "" ' '' '' acre' goal," meaning the General Legends of trackless swamps and ,;;; ;i,: ::; Assembl 's oal to reserve 1 mil- ant snakes gave the Let'Lones its '4` `11 ` CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 A Y g A gI g i ` `; 'i lion acres of open space by 2010 . name . As growth paves more and and another 900 acres that links the In the meantime, the conservancy more land, local leaders have begun ry Deep. River to Jordan Lake, said Kate hopes to prod local leaders into tak to recognize the significance of ra ? :' Dixon, the executive director. Either ing action by circulating carefully what' s left. Durham and Orange . " 99 :; tract would be twice as big as the researched and lavishly illustrated counties have bought several hun- largest land deal previously under- reports highlighting the natural won- dred acres along New Hope Creek taken by the group. . ders of these five areas . The Little , and created a 391-acre regional park Leaders of the conservancy a non- Riverflows through a gorgewithwalls on the Little River, which feeds into ` %` % 'I profit group dedicated to protecting rising as high as 140 feet. The Deep Durham's primary reservoir.a ,; :,; .{ open space, know they have to act . River meets the Rocky River at a The least-known area on the con- fast. They had to cross one area- off grove of white pines, leftovers of the servancy's list may be its most vul- their priority list after a housing Ice Age. Rare aquatic animals some- nerable. The Shotwell comma. -v in ;, developer beat them to a key tract how hang on in these places — a sala- . eastern Wake sits at the northern around Swift Creek in southern Wake. mander called the Neuse watendog, end of a vast expanse of woods and " Our strength is working with - a fish called the Carolina madtom, fields between Knightdale and Clay- ; , .` landowners on a voluntary basis , " mollusks known as the yellow lamp- ton. In the 19th century, the Mial fan- said Lorelei Costa, the conservan- mussel and the Atlantic pigtoe. These BY worked its . slaves and later ten- cy's associate director. "We recog- creatures depend on clean streams, ant farmers on 2 , 700 acres there . nize it's going to take a lot of differ- which in turn depend on forests and Today, only two roads cross the 7,500 ent strategies to protect these areas. wetlands to filter pollution. acres — more land than William B . . . . We're really hoping that the state, For decades, these five places were Umstead State Park. The only out- once - the budget crisis is over, can too far from roads or too prone to siders who get a glimpse of the bot- tom land hardwood forests and lau- rel-fringed bluffs are hunters who lease the land and paddlers exploring the Neuse0River and Mark's Creek The land is not pristine; there 's 56 been a lot of cutting and mowing. "It's got great potential to be restored into some meaningful wildlife habitat," Costa says . Or it might go the way of the rest of Wake. The planned Outer Loop high- way and U.S. 64 bypass will cut close to the area. Fingers of development, such as 'the Riverwood and Ole Mill Stream subdivisions near Clayton, are - already poking into this forest. The Wake commissioners ' chair- ' woman, Linda Coleman, wants more development, not less, in . eastern Wake .: Last year, however, county voters . overwhelmingly approved borrowing $ 15 million : to set aside open space. Coleman said she would await the results of several growth- related studies before deciding whether to support preservation of the open space around Shotwell . "That would probably not be the number one priority, or the number two priority, she said. "Schools and human services are running neck and neck this time" for that rank; Dixon estimated that buying the core properties in the Mark's Creek area, the Let-'Lones and the Deep Riverwoud cost $17 million, a difficult amount to raise in tight fiscal times. Still, the conservancy will keep look- ing for ways to entice property own- ers such as Dr. Joseph M. Hester of Goldsboro to sell or donate their land. In 1992, Hester bought more than a thousand acres in the Neuse Let- 'Lones simply to enjoy the foxes, fox , squirrels, bobcats and everything else that lives there. "The .greatest gift that nature ever gave to man was trees," said Hester, 82, a retired physician. Three years ago, Hester., found himself on his own land after sunset with no idea how to find his way back- to his house . He sat down to rest against a tree, determined to wait out the inky night. When the clouds drifted out of the sky, he followed the stars to reach civilization . That's what makes this woods so . different from the rest of the human crowded region, he said. "You can get lost in it. , , , wr..�rh�wrMw 57 Educating and motivating people to care about and for groundwater: �R ►Ri ;`r :'.fit � November 27 , 2001 David Stancil Orange County Water Resources Comm , P . O . Box 8181 - Hillsborough, NC 27278 USA Dear David, Congratulations to you, your team, and your supporters for completing a successful year of groundwater-related activities . Your efforts to ' protect your community ' s groundwater reflect a steadfast commitment to your community ' s future health and prosperity . Sincere thanks go to you and your team for contributing your valuable time and expertise to advance the cause of groundwater education and protection in your community , Enclosed with this letter is your 2001 designation plate , Please attach this plate to your Groundwater Guardian plaque . Remember, since your plaque represents national recognition from The Groundwater Foundation for your community ' s efforts in groundwater education and protection, we encourage you to make your plaque and the Groundwater Guardian logo part of your team ' s community awareness activities . Also enclosed with this letter are the 2001 Groundwater Guardian Profiles and the 2001 Groundwater Foundation Fall Conference program , To maintain your designation and build on your success, we know you will want to re - enter the Groundwater Guardian program in 2002 , The Groundwater Foundation staff encourages you to begin now to complete the entry form, and please remember - we are available via phone, fax, and e- mail to help you in any way that we can . The entry and ROA forms are found in the enclosed " Guide to Groundwater Guardian" and on our web site — www , groundwater. org . The re- entry deadline is February 15 , 2002 . If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either of us at 1 - 800 - 8584844, or via e- mail at guardian@groundwater. org . Congratulations and good luck on your continuing groundwater protection efforts ! Sincerely, Rachael Herpel nifer Nelso Groundwater Guardian Director roundwater Guardian Assistant Director (000 , Enclosures P. O . Box 22558 • Lincoln, NE 68542 . 1 . 800 . 858 . 4844 • Phone : 402 . 434 . 2740 • Fax : 402 . 434 . 2742 • www. groundwater. org printed on recycled paper, please recycle I i 1 I it