HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 050119Approved 7/5/19
EXCERPT MEETING MINUTES1
ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD2
MAY 1,20193
REGULAR MEETING4
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MEMBERS PRESENT: David Blankfard (Vice-Chair), Hillsborough Township Representative; Hunter Spitzer, At-Large; 6
Jessica Aguilar; At-Large; Hathaway Pendergrass, At-Large; Susan Hunter, Chapel Hill Township Representative;7
Adam Beeman, Cedar Grove Township Representative; Patricia Roberts, Cheeks Township Representative; Randy 8
Marshall, Bingham Township Representative; Melissa Poole, Little River Township Representative; Kim Piracci, Eno 9
Township Representative; 10
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MEMBERS ABSENT: Carrie Fletcher, Bingham Township Representative; Lydia Wegman (Chair), At-Large Chapel Hill 12
Township Representative; 13
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STAFF PRESENT: Craig Benedict, Planning & Inspections Director; Michael Harvey, Current Planning Supervisor; Pat 15
Mallett, Planner II; Tina Love, Administrative Assistant III16
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OTHERS PRESENT: Tim Smith, Summit Engineering; Stan Lawton; Property Owner; Jim Parker, Owner-Developer; 18
Mark O’Neal, Pickett-Sprouse; Cyrus Griswold, Linda Nathansen, Jim & Donna Ray, Zelda Lockhart; Alois & Kim 19
Callemyn20
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AGENDA ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL22
Vice Chair David Blankfard called the meeting to order.23
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AGENDA ITEM 2: INFORMATIONAL ITEMS25
a. Planning Calendar for May and June 201926
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AGENDA ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES28
April 3, 2019 Regular Meeting29
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MOTION by Randy Marshall to approve the April 3, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Hunter Spitzer.31
VOTE:Unanimous*32
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Hathaway Pendergrass: Are we allowed to vote, the new people.34
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Michael Harvey: The question was should the new members vote on the minutes and the answer is no since they 36
weren’t at the meeting they shouldn’t vote on the minutes.37
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*In reviewing the guidelines, it was determined that all members vote on minutes regardless of whether they were in 39
attendance at the meeting or when they were appointed to the Board40
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AGENDA ITEM 4: CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONS TO AGENDA 42
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AGENDA ITEM 5: PUBLIC CHARGE44
Vice Chair David Blankfard the read the Public Charge.45
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AGENDA ITEM 6: CHAIR COMMENTS47
No Comments48
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AGENDA ITEM 7: ZONING ATLAS AMENDMENT (GENERAL USE REZONING)–To review and make a recommendation on 50
an owner initiated application seeking to rezone 4.08 acres of property (PIN 9758-42-4098) located in Bingham 51
Township on the south side of Old Greensboro Road from Rural Buffer (RB) (2.65 acres) and Existing Commercial 52
(EC-5) (1.43 acres) to Existing Commercial (EC-5) (4.08 acres). The purpose of the rezoning is to resolve a split 53
zoning by applying one zoning district to the entire parcel on which an existing commercial use is located.54
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PRESENTER:Patrick Mallett, Planner II 56
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Patrick Mallett: Welcome new members; welcome old members. I am the staff person that will be presenting items 7 58
and 8 tonight. The first one is a general use zoning case. In your packet, you’ve got an abstract which starts on 59
page 11 of your packet. It goes through some of the basic information and includes five attachments; the application, 60
map of the subject parcel, the zoning exhibit showing any existing conditions of the property, the Statement of 61
Consistency, and then the ordinance amending and the zoning atlas with the zoning map. As I said, this is a General 62
Use Rezoning request. The property owner is Mr. Stan Lawton who is here with Alois Callemyn a surveyor and his 63
wife, Kim. The subject property is Lawton Storage. As you can see from this photo, the issue at hand is that the 64
commercial zoning goes right through the existing building, and the building has been operating as a storage facility 65
since 1977. What the applicant is seeking to do is to take the 2.65 acres of Rural Buffer zoning and rezone the entire 66
parcel as Existing Commercial (EC-5). It’s all within the University Lake Watershed and would all remain within that 67
watershed. So, 4.08 the existing parcel size is proposed to be rezoned to existing commercial. The summary is that 68
most of you were not on the Planning Board at the time, but in 2016 the Board of Commissioners directed staff to 69
take a comprehensive look at not just this township and others and evaluate look at properties that had zoning 70
issues, namely split zoning. This was one of those cases. At that time, Mr. Lawton wanted to stop and consider his 71
long-term goals and figure out what he wanted to do regarding the implications for the property and the business he’s 72
been operating since 1977. So, we pulled his case out of that stack. Since that time, he’s decided to proceed with 73
what the staff was recommending in 2016 which was to rezone the entire existing parcel to EC-5. Zoning in Orange 74
County rotated around various Townships and Bingham zoned for the first time in 1981. His storage business, the 75
proceeding woodworking, and truss operation well preceded the original zoning in this township. The policy at that 76
time was quite literal, and I think it was a common practice to draw a line around a building that was non-residential 77
use and leave the remainder to a residential zoning category. That’s created a number of issues namely conformity, 78
the ability to meet the landscape requirements, and a series of other things. Our recommendation is that you review 79
the amendment, deliberate on the petition, consider the director’s recommendations and then make a 80
recommendation for the Board of Commissioners for their June 4th meeting. 81
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Alois Callemyn: My name is Alois Callemyn, I've been doing this for a little while. I wanted you to meet Stan; he83
zoned this property. I get to see a lot of different parts of the County and this is one of the most scenic lots I’ve ever 84
surveyed. 85
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Stan Lawton: I’d like to get it straightened out. I’ve put a lot into it over the years. Everything is a mess the way it is.87
Just in general, it would be a good idea.88
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Alois Callemyn: If you have any questions, we’ll be glad to answer. 90
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Patricia Roberts: How much impervious surface has been used of the percentage allowed? 92
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Patrick Mallett: Mr. Lawton has got a fair amount of impervious surface, but most of that was probably built with the 94
original facility back in the 70’s and 80’s. 95
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Patricia Roberts: Does he have enough to build anymore? 97
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Patrick Mallett: Probably not. The short answer is what you see is probably the maximum. 99
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Patricia Roberts: So basically, he’s not going to be able to add more storage buildings without coming up with a 101
different plan. 102
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Patrick Mallett: Not without utilizing what’s already there, a repurposing of the site.104
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Randy Marshall: My previous recollection was that there’s a lot of restrictions on the rural buffer, and I didn’t see that 106
addressed in any of my materials. You’re taking something from the rural buffer and putting it into commercial even if 107
it’s existing commercial. Is there any concerns there that would need to be addressed? 108
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Patrick Mallett: Normally, there would be concerns. However, given the fact that the date of this non-residential use 110
well predates the original zoning and Rural Buffer. It does solve the split zoning issue. When we did the cases in 111
2016, there were three other cases that were resolving split zoning in the Rural Buffer. While not common, this is 112
probably a good example of one of the rare exceptions. 113
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Randy Marshall: So Chapel Hill and Carrboro wouldn’t jump up and down when they found Orange County took 115
some rural buffer land and put it in commercial. 116
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Patrick Mallett: We sent a courtesy review per the Joint Planning Agreement. 118
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Hunter Spitzer: Have either Carrboro or Chapel Hill responded to the date? 120
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Patrick Mallett: Nothing. 122
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Hunter Spitzer: Are you concerned that haven’t responded?124
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Patrick Mallett: They acknowledged they got it and that they would respond if they had any issues and no comment 126
or response yet. Maybe I’m reading between the lines here but given the fact that it’s an existing use, it’s a known 127
use and the nature of the time frame and the history of the property. 128
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Hunter Spitzer: By expanding the entire lot to EC-5, what does that change about what can be done with the 130
property?131
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Patrick Mallett: In the zoning world, you have typically three types of nonconformities. There are nonconforming lots. 133
This is not a nonconforming lot. You have nonconforming uses. We currently have nonconforming uses that would 134
not otherwise be allowed in the table of permitted uses in the Rural Buffer portion of the property. Then you have 135
nonconforming structures. The original wood working shop is a nonconforming structure because it lies is within 136
what would otherwise be a landscape buffer. This rezoning would solve at least the nonconforming use. This was a 137
nonresidential use that was probably dating back to the early 60s that was never captured. 138
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Hunter Spitzer: When you say it’s a nonconforming structure, what do you mean by that? 140
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Patrick Mallett: Along here, you’re required a 30-foot landscape buffer. Along this edge and along this edge you’re 142
required a 100-foot buffer and a 30-foot buffer along this private road here. This would be in the buffer here. So that 143
would still be a nonconforming structure. You can’t really expand that structure in the landscape buffer. 144
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Hunter Spitzer: I understand.146
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MOTION by Randy Marshall to recommend from the Planning Board that the County Commissioners consider 148
adoption of the proposed zoning atlas amendment. Patricia Roberts seconded.149
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Patrick Mallett: I do want to point out one minor thing. This represents the zoning on his lot, the existing commercial 151
zoning and then theoretically, if it changed, the zoning goes to the centerline of the road. It would be customary for 152
the County to also rezone to the centerline of the road. 153
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Randy Marshall: Do I need to say that we want to rezone the entire 4.08-acre parcel to EC-5? 155
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Patrick Mallett: Yes. 157
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Randy Marshall: I change my motion to include that.159
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Patricia Roberts: Seconded.161
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Hathaway Pendergrass: I abstain from voting as I have had previous professional dealings with the owner.163
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Craig Benedict: As part of a teaching moment, we’re not going to labor tonight, but for something like what is an EC-5165
and why it is a more unique designation than our other commercial zoning designations, we’ll put a little white paper166
together. We’ll give you an explanation of existing commercial designations possibly in Rural Buffer, land uses and 167
how that occurs, and how EC-5 occurred in other parts of the County. It is a nuance to our land use and zoning 168
code. 169
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David Blankfard: As a point of reference, it is true that if you abstain that’s a vote for? 171
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Craig Benedict: Yes, that is true. 173
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Patrick Mallett: Technically speaking, I think you probably should make a motion that you are acting on Attachments 175
4 and 5, the statement of consistency and the actual ordinance. 176
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David Blankfard: Moved.178
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Randy Marshall: Seconded.180
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MOTION by David Blankfard to agree with the Statement of Consistency (Attachment 4) and recommend to the182
County Commissioners to consider adoption of the proposed zoning atlas amendment (Attachment 5) to rezone the 183
entire 4.08-acre parcel to EC-5. Randy Marshall seconded.184
VOTE:Unanimous. (Hathaway recused himself due to previous professional relationship)185
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AGENDA ITEM 8: MAJOR SUBDIVISION PRELIMINARY PLAT –To review and take action on a preliminary plat application 187
for a Major Subdivision called Fairway Hills. The proposal is for a 20-lot single-family Flexible Development 188
subdivision on 41.97 acres (PINs 9884-32-3275 and 9884-31-9874) located in Eno Township on the north side of US 189
Highway 70 across from the Occoneechee Golf Club. The Concept Plan request for this subdivision was approved 190
by the Planning Board at its April 3, 2019 meeting.191
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PRESENTER:Patrick Mallett, Planner II 193
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Patrick Mallett: You have your staff report which we call an abstract which this case starts on page 31. This has four 195
attachments: An application package; Vicinity map; Site assessment; Staff generated correspondents; and Excerpts 196
from the Planning Board case last month in April. Under a separate cover, you also have the plan. Some you have 197
large plans. Some have small plans. This case was heard last month as a concept plan approval request. This198
request was originally submitted as a 27-lot subdivision under a different name called Occoneechee Hills. As it 199
started moving through the process, the applicant changed the request to go from 27 lots down to 20 lots which 200
removed the requirement for a Special Use Permit in addition to the major subdivision approval. It changes the 201
cadence of how the case is processed. Last month the consideration was for the Concept Plan. We are at Part Two 202
of the process. They basically had already done a significant amount of the Preliminary Plat work, so they were able 203
to get the final touches in and then get on to the agenda for this month, so the Planning Board is hearing this case in 204
back-to-back months.205
206
Patrick Mallett:Reviewed a PowerPoint presentation on Fairway Hill’s preliminary plat review. The flexibility design 207
option requires you to share the existing additions namely the stream buffer’s steep slope, vegetated areas and 208
existing structures. This is the preliminary plat subplan, very similar to what was reviewed with the concept plan that 209
added more details in terms of Storm Water Control measures, or BMP, storm water devices. With the Concept 210
Plan, it shows treatment for lot clearing, street trees along the two public streets, and then landscaping preserved 211
areas and they’re additional plantings along the 75-foot buffer along US 70. It also shows theoretical plantings for 212
both either a cleared lot or a preserved lot within the subdivision. The Plan summary including the two parcels is 213
41.97 acres, and the total number of proposed lots is 20. The average lot size is 56,594 square feet, 1.3 acres. The 214
area and open space is 15.54 acres. It’s 37 percent of the site. This is just a summary of the same attributes with 215
breakouts on the primary and secondary open space. Around the perimeter of the project there’s a hundred-foot216
building set back. Along US 70 they have 120-foot building set back and they also reserved a five-foot area along 217
US 70 anticipating unrelated to this project a NCDOT right of way, road improvements that would theoretically require 218
five feet of additional right of way. The planning director recommends that the Planning Board receive the 219
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Preliminary Plat application, discuss the proposal as desired and then recommend approval of the plat. The way this 220
process would work is you would make a recommendation either way. You would consider the case or continue the 221
case. Ultimately, it would have to go to the Board of Commissioners for a final determination, and they would make a 222
vote on the major subdivision. After that, there many other steps, certifications, permits that have to be obtained; well 223
permits, septic permits, road construction, coordinating with DOT, and the right of way has to be dedicated and 224
accepted by DOT. There would be a storm water permit, a land disturbance permit. It would be reviewed and 225
approved in terms of erosion control and water quantity, and water quality. As part the project, all of those things 226
would basically have to occur prior to the reggeridation of the lots. 227
228
Adam Beeman: Can you just give me a reference as to where the existing driveway is; to where Birdie Lane is? Are 229
they on top of each other?230
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Patrick Mallett: They actually moved. The existing driveway, there’s an area where they are proposing to plug in that 232
existing hole with some evergreen trees and shrubs. This public road is further north and west. The reason being is 233
both the applicant and NC DOT wanted to avoid this box culvert. 234
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Adam Beeman: Is that just short of that grade change that you were showing in the pictures?236
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Patrick Mallett: That’s roughly in that general area, but I think they’ve spent a significant amount of time trying to 238
properly locate where that road should go in terms of site distance, with minimal disturbance to the existing right of 239
way and meeting with NC DOT standards for the roads. I think that also involved discussions and meetings with 240
Chuck Edwards the NC DOT engineer.241
242
Tim Smith: Looking at the site again, you can see it highlighted here. It is adjacent to across the street off Highway 243
70 from the golf course and it’s in between Palmer’s Grove Church Road and Lawrence Road on the north side of 244
Highway 70. Highlighted in red on the exhibit you will see the surrounding area and what’s there now. There’s 245
several very similar developments in the area. One acre, plus or minus, lots that are on well and septic up along 246
Palmar Grove Church Road. There’s several little pockets of subdivisions that have one acre lots with well and 247
septic. Off of Lawrence Road there is also a woodland trailer park that has 23 trailer sites on that property, and that’s 248
served by well and septic although they do have a community well for that site. Back in February of this year, we had 249
neighborhood information meeting for the public to come. This shows the limits of the notification of a thousand feet 250
around the property. Those property owners were notified of the development and were sent letters to the 251
neighborhood meeting. We met and discussed and heard their concerns and so forth, and their comments. We’ve 252
taken all those into consideration as we’ve continued to adjust and work with the layout and the proposal for the 253
subdivision. As Pat mentioned, the existing conditions of the site and showed you some pictures along the frontage 254
the property. Patrick also went over most of the site data for the property, the zoning, the density, all those numbers 255
are the same here. We are proposing about 2,300 linear feet of roads for the two cul-de-sac roads including the 256
entrance coming up off Highway 70, and we are at 17 percent impervious proposed right now. That’s for the road 257
construction and the proposed houses an estimate of what would be on each lot. Out on Highway 70 as we 258
mentioned, there is a 75-foot type E buffer required out there. It is rural, but we’re proposing to add additional 259
plantings along highway 70 to increase the opprosity of that buffer to give more screening for that area that will 260
include the area where the existing driveway is now. As Pat mentioned, we are proposed well sites on each lot. We 261
have laid out a potential well site for each lot that meets the setback requirements for the property lines per the code 262
with Orange County environmental health. Again, the shaded areas with the hatching lines is where we’re identified 263
some suitable Soils for the property. 264
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Hunter Spitzer: Are wells permitted within the Type E buffer? 266
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Tim Smith: They are not permitted within the Type E buffer. We are showing some that are right on the line, but 268
they’re not propose to be in the type E buffer. 269
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Tim Smith: Back on Highway 70, per our conversation back and forth with NCDOT regarding what they want to 271
require for this entrance off Highway 70, we are showing a symmetrical widening of Highway 70 as you’re headed 272
east. There would be a left turn lane to get into the subdivision. As your headed west, there will be what we call a 273
deceleration lane or a right-turn lane to get traffic off of the through lane and able to turn into the entrance. NC DOT 274
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has approved this layout as we continue on we’ll be adding the grading for that and all the details that go with it. As 275
Pat mentioned, we did keep the entrance location far enough west so that none of the widening would impact this 276
box culvert that crosses under Highway 70. We are staying far enough west that our widening will not impact any of 277
that box culvert. Since last month, we’ve continued on and added the required landscaping to show on our 278
landscape plan for you. As Pat mentioned, we have the required street trees that would be planted along each of the 279
streets. This is per the ordinance requirements that you have to have a street tree spaced primarily every 100 feet 280
with other small plantings between. This is a rendering of how we feel it would look once all is in place. The primary 281
goal would be the preserve all the trees that are out there now along that buffer. To go over the stormwater 282
managements for Orange County, this is Section 6.14 from the ordinance, we have to follow and meet the guidelines 283
for Orange County which are all based on state regulations. We would need to protect the repairing areas, monitor 284
the nitrogen and phosphorous load contributions that are proposed based on the development, and attenuate the 285
flow which means we can’t have any more flow leaving the site than prior to the development. Our devices need to 286
manage that stormwater runoff and control the first inch of rainfall from all the project areas on the site. To treat the 287
nitrogen and phosphorous we have to have a 85 percent TSS, total suspended solids, removal achieved through the 288
devices that we install. These are the standards pretty much state wide. Orange County implements these same 289
standards based on where they are in each river basin and each watershed. In that regard, we are proposing a 290
multiple attack on stormwater. One would be disconnected impervious services on each lot which kind of covers the 291
runoff from each roof, having treatment swells in areas where the runoff can’t get to our primary stormwater devices,292
and level spreader filter strips used in connection with other stormwater devices including in buyer retention basins. 293
Some folks were concerned about the stormwater and had discussed low impact development. We approach every 294
project with a low impact development, approach. If we can meet stormwater requirements and treat stormwater 295
based on a low impact design, this is our primary goal. In a true sense of a Lid analysis, you check your site prior to 296
development, see how much trees are there, how much open areas there are, how much pasture, the types of land 297
cover, and then you look at it again after proposed development with the houses, yard areas, in preserving tree areas 298
and so forth. You check and see what the differences are in the different rates and these involve: infiltration of water 299
into the ground; and then the runoff that occurs from the impervious that’s added. We run it for this site, and it did 300
not meet the percentage threshold for a true Lid design. In the rural design requirements, per this manual that was 301
started back in 2009, they referred to the Best Management Practices to use devices like infiltration devices, level302
spreaders, sand filters, pocket wetland, and permeable pavers to manage stormwater in a low impact manner. 303
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Hunter Spitzer: You said for the Lid on the water treatment that you did not meet the percent required.305
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Tim Smith: The LID manual is not a regulated booklet. It’s a guideline for how you would do a LID analysis. It was 307
just a little over the threshold of what it needed to be. If it met the requirements, we wouldn’t have to do anything. 308
Because of the type of development it is, we are above that threshold and so we have to implement stormwater 309
control per the UDO. 310
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Patrick Mallett: Low impact design in terms of Orange County and stormwater and erosion control is a classification.312
By virtue of the amount of land disturbance just for the roads, it brings it out of that category in terms of the 313
stormwater classification. In Orange County, whether you are a low impact designer or not, determines the cost per 314
acre for your stormwater permits and how you are classified. There is also a difference between low-impact design 315
as it’s classified, required, or evaluated which causes the requirements for your stormwater and erosion control. You316
can still do low impact principals. Two points I would like to clarify. When I discussed the building setbacks around 317
the perimeter, that’s the perimeter setback which is 100-feet around the perimeter of the project. You also have an 318
offered 120-foot building setback along US 70. You have single family lots; those also have building setbacks. 319
They’re proposing you have 30-foot front set back, and 15-foot side and rear setbacks. There are four lots along US 320
70 that technically could have a well as close to 50 feet to the right of way, but you still have to meet the landscape 321
requirements so in essence they would tread lightly and use that as a last resort, because if you take out a tree or 322
don’t meet the landscape requirements, and you put in a well or a septic system that you can’t put landscaping in, 323
you have to find some other place to put it. That can eventually become mathematically impossible. 324
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Tim Smith: We are looking to approach to our stormwater management where we’ll have multiple treatments from 326
several different types of devices which are all in the realm of low impact devices with how we treat the water. I just 327
wanted to go over this to give you a further perspective on how we propose to finish our design with regards to 328
stormwater. 329
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Adam Beeman: Are there any sidewalks proposed inside this development?331
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Tim Smith: There are not sidewalks proposed. I know they’re not required, and we’re not proposing to do any. 333
Sidewalks would be added impervious so we’re trying to minimize impact from impervious.334
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Hunter Spitzer: I see you have a 20-foot storm easement running between the upper cul-de-sac and the lower 336
between lots 13, 14, 7 and 6. Have you considering make any sort of pedestrian access between these two ends?337
338
Tim Smith: We sure could do that. 339
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Kim Piracci: I’m asking for clarity. I think I read that your stormwater control measures are for one inch of rainfall in 341
24 hours and that’s the regulation; is that correct? 342
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Tim Smith: That’s correct. That’s one of the goals we have the meet per the ordinance. There are different 344
intensities for different storm events. This is a one year 24-hour storm event, so one year of rainfall intensity over 24 345
hours that volume of water we have the attenuate and not release any more than what would occur prior to our 346
construction.347
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Kim Piracci: Okay, so it’s one inch in 24 hours and that’s the minimum? Have you given any thought to building for 349
more than that because of this recent rainfall we had? What we’re building for isn’t going to accommodate that so 350
there’s going to be flooding, right? 351
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Tim Smith: Potentially, yes. This is what the ordinance regulations require and it’s what we designed to. We 353
followed Orange County’s regulations. We run analysis and check what other storm events would do, but we’re 354
required to submit to them and to get proof as to what’s here in the ordinance. 355
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Kim Piracci: I have one more concern. My house is right near the corner of Route 70 and University Station. You 357
take your life in your hands to turn left on Route 70 and there are accidents weekly. I’m wondering what happens 358
when they want to turn left out of this? I might be the person heading east that they hit. Is any consideration being 359
given to that? 360
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Tim Smith: For this project we’re doing what is done on all projects similar in nature. They have the analysis of the 362
thresholds, based on the use and the number of trips to be generated. Orange County has a pretty high threshold for 363
requiring a transportation impact analysis which would be a full-blown study. In this case, Highway 70 needs 364
improvements and DOT does have on the books in the future to do things to Highway 70. In the meantime, we are 365
doing what DOT requires for us to put in this road for this development to provide as safe as we can access lanes for 366
each direction to get in and out. 367
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Kim Piracci: I’m not allowed to vote against this because he’s acting within their parameters even though I don’t have 369
to use much imagination and see problems in the future. Technically, I’m not allowed to say, this doesn’t sound good, 370
but because they’re meeting the requirements.371
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Michael Harvey: Well, they are meeting the UDO and the department of transportation has indicated that these are 373
the necessary improvements to accommodate the traffic flow. You as a board member can vote your conscience in 374
whatever way, manner, shape or form but without any direct evidence to prove that DOT’s recommendation with 375
respect to access is flawed, a decision to deny this project based on roadway access issues is not based on the 376
information was have available and is inconsistent with the provisions of the UDO. The practical reality is that without 377
any documented evidence proving that it’s a faulty model, the staff can’t take that position because DOT has already 378
certified that this is an acceptable proposal. They have already required them to do offsite improvements consistent 379
with their model and data.380
381
Jessica Aguilar: I wanted to applaud you for looking at how this would affect the school system. I see a lot of these 382
new developments and they’re posting price range of these homes in the $300s to $700s. What population are you 383
looking to populate this area?384
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385
Tim Smith: I apologize. I forgot to introduce the developer who is here tonight, Mr. Jim Parker. I’m not sure there’s 386
any direct market that they’re targeting. 387
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Jim Parker: The builder for these lots will be Drees Homes who has built a lot of homes in Orange County. The 389
homes will be similar to those that they have been building here. I would estimate your price range is about right.390
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Jessica Aguilar: That’s my concern. People in my situation, my socio-economic strata, are being edged out. We’re 392
looking for a home right now and we can’t find anything affordable in this area. We are at risk of having to move after 393
being here for almost two decades because these kinds of developments are coming in and taking up lands that we394
can’t even dream of being a part of. 395
396
Patrick Mallett: I would like to add on to the school comments. We have a fairly regimented system, database, and 397
tracking system to verify if a project will or will not have an impact on school capacity issues. Our system, a copy of 398
the report is contained within your packet, tells us if we are getting close to having a capacity issue. In this case, that 399
CAPS form, and data is submitted to the school board for their review and processing as well. Bottom line is this 400
project does not increase school capacity beyond what can be handled within existing facilities. There is no 401
anticipated impact to the Orange County school system. We’ve done this prematurely to let them know this is being 402
moved through the process and as they move through, this would get adjusted and tracked over time. The main 403
point is the dashboard isn’t showing a red light or even yellow light yet.404
405
Randy Marshall: Is there anything in the Orange County UDO that requires affordable housing since I don’t see any 406
reference to it? 407
408
Patrick Mallett: No, we don’t. What we’re focused on at this level is the process for the subdivision part of it. We 409
cannot compel a developer to develop what is defined as affordable housing. There are incentive programs in the 410
UDO to encourage the development of affordable housing, primarily through increases in allowable density, but this 411
is not applicable to this project.412
413
Randy Marshall: Municipalities often require payment in lieu of recreational facilities. I don’t see any mini play 414
grounds or recreational facilities within this development.415
416
Patrick Mallett: That we can require and we do collect. We still collect a Park and Recreation fee based on the park 417
district that they are in. It’s in the $455 range times each lot. Most jurisdictions have realized that it doesn’t pay in 418
the public sense to put hundreds of little parks that are public parks within smaller subdivisions. Park districts have 419
been created and then that money is collected. You would have the open space for the project and then you have 420
public recreation which is the park fee. 421
422
Michael Harvey: I wanted to expand on the answer of affordable housing. Orange County does indeed have a 423
program that allows for density bonuses for projects that provide affordable housing units. The problem is those 424
density bonuses are not applicable in watershed protection overlay districts. We establish density limitations as part 425
of our watershed management program to control overall development of property and to ensure we are effective 426
with managing water quality issues. You will recall from the concept plan meeting where we had discussed that the 427
applicant had investigated the potential to maximize the total number of lots that could be developed on these 428
properties, which would have been 27. The chief factors leading to the developer choosing not to develop the 27 429
individual lots were concerns about well and septic system development, potential traffic impacts, the preservation of 430
open space, and adjacent property owners concerns that 27 lots was too intensive of a development for the area.431
From my standpoint all of these factors go into the development cost and the ultimate price point for the homes that 432
will be developed on this property. There is not a lot of opportunity in the rural areas of the County where there’s not 433
easy access to water, sewer, public utilities to have intensely developed projects that might be able to have a price 434
point that could be construed as affordable based on applicable guidelines. Part of the duality in Orange County’s 435
planning program is the need to properly manage or protect the natural environment and the tradeoff for that 436
sometimes does result in projects that may not necessarily focus or factor on an addressing an affordability concern437
due to the low densities of the project, larger lot sizes, and need to rely on private well and septic systems.438
Ultimately this property will not yield sufficient density to make development of what some might construe an 439
Approved 7/5/19
affordable housing project viable but this project does focus more on the preservation and protection of the 440
environmental components related to the property, which current policy mandates.441
442
David Blankfard: In the packet on-pages 40 and 41, you have a memo from Mr. Fleming, the stormwater supervisor. 443
Can you explain what his conclusions were? 444
445
Michael Harvey: I can try. I’ll remind you about what I told you last month when the concept plan was reviewed. This446
project will have to go through a stormwater permitting process. The process will have to demonstrate that proposed 447
stormwater facilities will not only comply with our code, but also address nutrient reduction requirements. I think that 448
what Mr. Fleming is attempting to identify is that he would like to see the SCM, stormwater control measure, to 449
accommodate more of the potential development on the housing side not just the roadways and overall land 450
disturbance activity for the project. Mr. Smith has indicated this evening that they are going to be looking at each 451
individual lot in terms of some disconnected stormwater flow feature to address actual on lot development activities,452
so you don’t have to over design the stormwater feature which actually incorporates some of the low impact design 453
elements. This is an attempt to try to address some of the duality of the ordinance with respect to how do we comply 454
with the stormwater standard, and at the same time, how do we achieve reasonable development of property. 455
456
David Blankfard: What I’m understanding is you are going to take care of some of the runoff on the individual pieces 457
of property.458
459
Tim Smith: The ones we can, yes. 460
461
David Blankfard: If you can’t take care of it on the property you’re going to pipe it over to the SCM. 462
463
Tim Smith: Since this letter, we’ve done more in regard to what his concerns were, and we’re headed in the direction 464
that we need to be for the overall project. We’re increasing the size of our primary device areas, so they have more 465
capacity and we’re also incorporating a tiered approach to stormwater to obtain the treatment required for the entire 466
property. 467
468
Michael Harvey: Just to reiterate, Mr. Smith has gone through a rather detailed recitation of the various techniques 469
they’re looking at. As part of your recommendation, you can ask the Board to consider that if they choose to adopt 470
this project, that those suggestions be incorporated in the resolution of approval and that these are the steps that the 471
applicant will take in terms of addressing and incorporation of low impact design elements. This project cannot be a 472
process of low impact design development because it exceeds thresholds. I think it’s perfectly reasonable for this 473
Board to recommend to the County’s Commissioners to consider making that a requirement as part of the resolution 474
of approval if it gets approved. 475
476
Kim Piracci: Even if they build in three, four, different ways to control flooding, it’s still only stormwater 477
measurements of one inch of rainfall in 24 hours. They don’t have to accommodate three inches of rainfall. 478
479
Michael Harvey: No, that’s the minimum base standard as currently contained within the UDO.480
481
Hunter Spitzer: Is that standard set by the state or can we change that? 482
483
Michael Harvey: The State establishes minimum guidelines and requirements. If we choose to be more restrictive we 484
can do that, but the State would have to give us the authorization to do that. If this Board is interested, it could 485
request the County Commissioners to study whether or not there’s an opportunity to implement a higher stormwater 486
management standard that should be adopted recognizing that there are impacts. Of course with more restrictive 487
standards comes higher development costs, which can translate to more expensive homes.488
489
David Blankfard: Tim, if you did treat it more than one inch, what would that impact be on your SCMs?490
491
Tim Smith: It would be bigger SCMs, more disturbance area. We’re trying to do low impact, minimize our 492
disturbance, minimize our impervious areas. We would have to cut more trees and make a bigger space to provide 493
that control. 494
Approved 7/5/19
495
Patricia Roberts: If you have a lot of pervious ground, then you are not going to need as much as you think. You’ve 496
got the natural way for water to be a absorbed into the ground and you’re just trying to take over probably what you 497
have made impervious. The tradeoff, I would rather have more trees. 498
499
Tim Smith: With the one inch, they also call it water quality also. They call it the first flush. That first hard one inch 500
of rain hits all the pavement areas where all the nasty stuff is and that’s what runs off first and that’s what we’re 501
required to treat first for nutrients and water quality. 502
503
Kim Piracci: Is the impervious, pervious areas taken into consideration when you decide how much?504
505
Tim Smith: the project as a whole, we’re very low on total amount of impervious. The allowed maximum for this 506
property is 36 percent and we’re only proposing about 17 percent. 507
508
Kim Piracci: What would happen if you made 15 units instead of 20; would you then still have the cut down as many 509
trees? 510
511
Tim Smith: Potentially not, but that’s all a balance of everything else we’ve talked about. 512
513
Patrick Mallett: The way this typically works for a single-family residential subdivision is it’s a bit of a calculated right 514
sizing in terms of runoff and stormwater. Looking back at the layout. You want to put your open space and the 515
devices in the right place and then routing stormwater that would go through ditches into pipes. A big part of their 516
design and a analysis is to locate them in the right place, right size them, and assume that they built it and designed 517
it and located it appropriate for the initial clearing, the initial impervious to carry the freight for the public roads, and 518
then assume a theoretical clearing and an impervious amount for each of the lots. Part of the analysis is to factor in 519
the impervious water quality, water quantity and then the rate of runoff. 520
521
Jim Ray: My name is Jim Ray. I’m Occoneechee Golf Club. We were the ones going to get the water. I just want 522
to ask Tim how much more water are we actually going to get then we’re getting now? If you can get the state to 523
build a culvert the first one west of where you all going to build, that would solve a whole lot of our problem. 524
525
Tim Smith: It’s hard to say. The intent is always in following the guidelines that we have the follow. To keep it 526
basically as it was before the development was there. 527
528
Jim Ray: That’s too much.529
530
Tim Smith: The numbers that we are required to adhere to are no more post development than predevelopment. 531
532
Jim Ray: I’m not against the development, but I would like to have as much help as we can to stop the water. 533
The left turn lane, how much more pavement is going on our side of the road and where is the ditch line going to be 534
then?535
536
Tim Smith: We don’t have the final design. We’re doing a proposed symmetrical widening. On your side right now,537
the pavement will get about three feet wider than where it is right now. If it looks like it’s going to be a problem on 538
your side of the road, we can shift the widening to be more on the project side with less impact on your side so we’re 539
not having to push ditches and that sort of thing.540
541
Jim Ray: We don’t need to lose anymore property.542
543
Tim Smith: Everything we do has to be within DOT’s right of way. It’s not going to be on your property. Hearing your 544
concern, we want to keep everything we can away from you. 545
546
Zelda Lockhart: Good evening, I would like to read a letter that I’d like to have entered into the public record. Ms. 547
Lockhart read her letter to the public.548
549
Approved 7/5/19
Linda Nathansen: Good evening. Tim, as they are doing the work in a protected watershed area, is there going to 550
be any type of safe guard? Will there be certain precautions set up to be able to halt the work at a stage so there’s 551
not any endangerment to the Eno or to residents with the stormwater runoff or for flooding in general?552
553
Tim Smith: Yes, we monitor that and when we know something significant is going to happen we instruct contractors 554
to make adjustments to what’s in place on site. 555
556
David Blankfard: How soon after a weather event do your erosion control measures get inspected? 557
558
Tim Smith: They are required to be inspected after, I think, it’s every significant rainfall event which is like a one inch. 559
They get inspected interim on a daily, weekly basis.560
561
David Blankfard: If they find problems what do they do?562
563
Tim Smith: They instruct the contractor to fix them or else they’re done with the job.564
565
Adam Beeman: Do you have to put up silt fence and if so how much do you have to put up?566
567
Tim Smith: A silt fence is used almost every project for land disturbance areas to prevent runoff. When you have 568
bigger areas that are disturbed, you have to put in a sediment pond which is an erosion control pond. 569
570
Melissa Poole: Going back to the well issue. Are they testing wells around where they’re going to subdivide this?571
572
Tim Smith: At the concept Planning Board meeting we discussed this very extensively. We had testimony from the 573
Phil Valero from the environmental health department as to what the County does for testing of wells. I think they do 574
test on an interim basis. To respond to Zelda’s letter, it’s the same issues we discussed last meeting. Phil’s 575
testimony in the record sets the stage for how that’s done. This is not an out of the ordinary development in Orange 576
County. One acre lots are created on a regular basis with wells and septic. You go through the permitting process 577
the County, that’s required. I know there’s concerns about the neighboring properties as far as what their conditions 578
are now and the way the aquifers and so forth. On behalf of the developer, we can’t make any promises that nothing 579
is going to happen. Based on standard procedure and what is done on a regular basis through the County if we’re 580
issuing permits for wells, this is done every day. 581
582
Jessica Aguilar: Is there some sort of good faith kind of agreement or offering that the developer could make 583
asserting that any fall out that is definitely from the construction of this thing that does hit existing properties will be 584
addressed. Just out of respect for the people who have already been there for decades. 585
586
Tim Smith: When you say fallout, are you speaking of something specific?587
588
Jessica Aguilar: Such as the wells being contaminated or somebody downhill getting a whole bunch of construction 589
runoff. Just a good faith that we won’t deliberately destroy your property, but if we did and it’s obviously us then we 590
will assist in undoing the damage. 591
592
Tim Smith: I would let the develop respond if he may or not. No response. 593
594
Linda Nathansen: That was brought up at the last meeting, and I would like to respond to what happened. The 595
possibility of having some type of bond was brought up which would ensure that if anything happened to the drinking 596
water that there would be some kind of assurance from the developer. Michael brought up that no developer would 597
be able to agree to something like that, and it was an unreasonable request. Along with that question, the HOA is 598
going to be responsible for this subdivision. Directed to Mr. Smith, if an event happens ten years from now or less, 599
who do we contact, the County or the Board who has approved it? 600
601
Michael Harvey: I think that the minutes are very clear, and I think they can be read. It is the mischaracterization of602
my comments I will address at this time. The first issue that we have is there were a lot of comments at the last 603
meeting that there’s existing wells in this area that are already impaired. Individuals that have well concerns or 604
Approved 7/5/19
impaired wells need to contact the Orange County health department and address those issues regardless of 605
whether this development is or is not approved. If there are issues with wells that were installed inconsistent with 606
current regulations due to when they were installed, they may need to be redrilled. That is a reality for a county that 607
is going to rely on individual wells and septic systems to address potable water and the treatment of waste water. 608
With respect to stormwater, developers are required to post sureties to deal with pre and post construction issues. 609
As a developer is constructing the stormwater features for this project, he is obligated and required by the ordinance 610
to post a bond with Orange County erosion control engineering division to ensure those stormwater features are611
installed per an approved plan. The second thing to keep in mind is that the developer is responsible for posting 612
what is known as a maintenance bond that exists in perpetuity. As the Home owner’s association assumes the 613
responsibility for maintenance of the stormwater on site they’re obligated to submit biannual reports demonstrating 614
the viability and continued effectiveness of the stormwater feature because that is the required under the UDO and is 615
part of the requirement of ensuring the perpetual responsibility for maintenance of the stormwater system. If they fail 616
in their obligations to maintain the system, we (the County) cash in the bond and bring the feature back into 617
compliance with applicable standards. Local home owner’s associations are obligated by an operations and 618
maintenance plan that is approved (by the County) to abide by the perpetual maintenance and up keep of the 619
stormwater feature. That includes individual property owners who have to get stormwater features on their property 620
to support development of their lot. You are looking at two different systems, the communal system and systems per 621
individual lot. There are mechanisms in place to address concerns over stormwater. As it relates to well and septic 622
or specifically a well, if you already have impaired wells in the area, prior to this development coming online, it’s going 623
to be difficult for the County or the resident’s to prove it’s Fairway Hills that created the problem. I also think that if 624
Fairway Hills were somehow required to go test wells on adjacent parcels, and if the wells are contaminated and 625
have to be condemned, what happens then? The project is not built and the applicant is not responsible for the 626
damage. There is a lot of talk about what liabilities the developer should accept in order to get this project approved. 627
My problem is that if there are already well issues, the liability falls to the current property owner and the applicant for 628
Fairway Hills should not be expected to fix wells that are already broken.629
630
Hathaway Pendergrass: You mentioned that in conjunction with the stormwater requirements I think that is what we 631
were talking about earlier. 632
633
Michael Harvey: I think that one of the things that you had expressed interest in is to make a recommendation that 634
the developers’ commit to following to ……. adhering to low impact design practices for stormwater features if the 635
County Commissioners see fit to approve this project. Staff suggested that language be included within the 636
resolution of approval to compel the developer to abide by the various practices he identified during the preliminary 637
plat review articulated in his PowerPoint. You can piece meal this to say your first motion is to say that regardless of 638
what else happens, you are recommended that the developer be held to his offer to incorporate low impact design 639
elements consistent with his presentation at this Planning Board meeting. 640
641
MOTION by Hunter Spitzer to adopt Michael’s statement to require that the developer utilize the low impact design 642
elements he has recommended. Randy Marshall: Seconded.643
VOTE:9-1 Passed; (Piracci)644
645
Kim Piracci: Well, I understand he was going to do that anyway. He was talking about low impact strategies anyway,646
so this is almost like going through the motions of something that was already there. 647
648
David Blankfard: This is more of making sure that they were going to do it. 649
650
Kim Piracci: They were going to do it. 651
652
David Blankfard: They weren’t required to do it. 653
654
Kim Piracci: That’s what they were talking about. They were planning to do it.655
656
David Blankfard: Right, and this way it’s written down that they are going to do it. 657
658
Approved 7/5/19
Kim Piracci: I would like to make a little speech to the Planning Board. I know there’s a question of legality, but I also 659
have a conscious. If there’s one thing I’m conversant on is climate mitigation. This development is everything that 660
doesn’t address what we need addressed moving forward. Any language, that I have in quotes “properly protect the 661
environment” are hollow words. This area except for that original homestead area is completely wooded and it’s the 662
very definition of urban sprawl. One inch of rain in 24 hours is something in the past year we’ve probably gotten once 663
a week or more. Who is going to get hurt from that? Are people going to start being hurt? Mr. Smith admitted that 664
the intersection will be dangerous, not his word, mine, but I think his word was difficult. Turning left out of that 665
development, not so good. There’s no affordable housing and that’s for reasons beyond our discussion, but it’s not 666
good. It’s not a good thing to be building so much expensive housing in this one area without building the other kind 667
of housing. There’s no mention of green building strategies of any kind, lead building or solar panels. I’m going to 668
vote no on this. 669
670
Hunter Spitzer: Michael, you said that we could recommend to the Board of County Commissioners that they 671
investigate increasing the one inch in 24 hours rainfall requirement that they also be required to mitigate a more 672
extreme event. How would be go about making such a request? 673
674
Michael Harvey: I think you would do it after you have made some sort of motion (on this application). The motion 675
can be made that the County Commissioners be asked to initiate a study on the impacts of increasing the stormwater 676
design threshold for developments. I’m going to remind you that that’s not just new development that’s any existing 677
property owner who exceeds the established thresholds would then have to abide by that standard. Be forewarned 678
of some of the issues that we’re going to be bringing back to you in terms of the pros and cons because as I 679
indicated there’s opportunities and constraints, but I think that once you’ve concluded action on this particular project, 680
someone can make a motion to ask the County Commissioners to direct staff to begin a comprehensive assessment 681
of additional stormwater opportunities.682
683
Patrick Mallett: If you start evaluating the existing wells around the perimeter and you find things that would cause 684
them to have to be modified, these would have to be enforced. You could be looking at wells that are condemned. I 685
would also reiterate his analogy with regard to the difference in standards over time. 686
687
Zelda Lockhart: As a person who is being spoken about who might therefore be further impacted. If my well is 688
inspected now and then hypothetically needs work, that’s still a win, win for everybody. Let’s say that the drinking 689
water isn’t as great as I think it is. If the developer has to pay for that to see the condition of my well, and they find 690
out it’s not in as great condition as they thought, I don’t lose. I’m good with that. 691
692
David Blankfard: So you would have to pay for your own well to be upgraded if found deficient. 693
694
Zelda Lockhart: If it was found deficient. I think that argument is being put over as almost a shadow over the 695
concern that I have. That is not a concern. So, if I understand what Michael is saying, he is saying that if there was 696
something put in place to assure that the development, the construction of the development, and the digging of the 697
wells in some way condemned my well, that that’s not something similar as to who could know what condemned my 698
well. I think that’s what the argument is. That doesn’t take away my concern. If I have my tap on today and then 699
tomorrow begins the pounding into the wells, I think it is a pretty good legal argument that there’s a cause and effect. 700
The aquafers don’t just run one day and go dry the next. What I’m saying is that that secondary argument of now 701
you wouldn’t want those citizens to have to go paying for better drinking water now; would you? That’s a shadow on 702
top of the issue that I’m raising. 703
704
Kim Piracci: I’m kind of agreeing with her. I was thinking, there’s a downside to knowing if I have bad water? If I had 705
bad water I would want to know about it. 706
707
Patrick Mallett: What I’m saying is that Michael and Phil and the discussion last month pointed out that part of that 708
investigation could reveal deficiencies that have to be resolved. 709
710
Kim Piracci: And what’s the downside of that? 711
712
Approved 7/5/19
Patrick Mallett: There isn’t a downside, but his point is they would be forced to possibly condemn some wells. Also I 713
think the message here is that there is already a mechanism to get wells inspected to address this issue even before 714
the project is developed, if approved. If wells are already impaired, they are impaired prior to this project being 715
approved. I do not think we can compel a developer to pay for well testing where property owners have already 716
admitted there are problems. Why should they pay for such an evaluation if the issues are already known?717
718
Kim Piracci: So people would dig deeper at their cost. In my opinion, that’s better than drinking bad water. 719
720
Adam Beeman: If you condemn my well, and I had to drill another $3,000 well, I’m going to be mad. 721
722
Kim Piracci: But you’d rather drink water with GenX in it?723
724
Adam Beeman: If that’s what was in my water then I would redrill because the water was contaminated. If they came 725
out and said that there was a reason my well would need to be condemned, and I need to spend 3 to $4,000 to drill a 726
new one, I’m going to be mad. If you increase your one inch for 24 hours to two inches, you’re rippling everything 727
and now everybody else has to abide by this which could put a huge financial burden on any number of land owners 728
in this place and that all of a sudden, their well is no good. 729
730
David Blankfard: They are already saying that these new wells are not going to impact the aquifers of their 731
neighbors. 732
733
Adam Beeman: The restrictions that Orange County has in putting a well and septic in are so high that as the 734
likelihood of putting the straw in the same aquifer isn’t going to happen. By forcing a developer to put money up front 735
and say, if I cause any problems to you guys, they’re not going to develop. They’re just going to go on to the next 736
county. You have to realize that the $300,000 to $700,000 home range is what it costs to buy the land, to develop it,737
and everything else because they have to put separate septic systems and separate wells. There are all those costs 738
associated so if you make it more and more difficult the developer is going walk away and this county is going to die. 739
No one is going to want to pay that money. 740
741
David Blankfard: If you look that record, Mr. Valero did not believe development of this project would impact water 742
pressure or the water capacity of the surrounding wells. 743
744
Kim Piracci: For me personally, the wells are not by biggest concern, but I agree with Zelda.745
746
Patrick Mallett: I want to clarify. Either way, good water quality is what everyone wants. I’m just pointing out what 747
was said that last meeting for the benefit of those who were not here and the implications. 748
749
Randy Marshall: The other comment that I will make based on some of the things that you suggested is that all of 750
these issues come up after the fact. If these are issues that we’re concerned about, we need to be proactive. Get 751
them into an ordinance or get them into a state law or federal law so they are considered before developments come 752
in.753
754
Kim Piracci: It starts pretty easy by introducing a resolution to your county. However, there is a such a thing that 755
developers developing above lowest minimum standards, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with developers 756
doing that.757
758
Randy Marshall: But there’s a cost to doing that. That’s going to raise the cost of the houses even further. 759
760
Patricia Roberts: Didn’t we have this discussion about the burden of proof. I think they’ve met the burden of proof. 761
762
Jessica Aguilar: My concern is that the current residents are going to have to have to deal with any fallout there may 763
be. Not to mention they are going to be surrounded by this project that brings gentrification into their lives. That’s a 764
big deal for a person who has been in their home for 15-20 years. 765
766
David Blankfard: This project allowed in this zoning district.767
Approved 7/5/19
768
Jessica Aguilar: That’s the question of meeting standards versus best practice.769
770
David Blankfard: I don’t think this Board can dictate everyone going above and beyond what is stated in the code 771
that’s already been voted for and approved by multiple agencies. 772
773
Jessica Aguilar: I understand that the project is going to happen. I think that maybe it would be possible for some 774
sort of conversation for the developers to be somehow aimable in accommodating to the current residents as a show 775
of good faith and show of appreciation for changing the nature of their day. You can say it’s just a new gated776
community but that’s going to change the nature of the school. Sixty new kids in the school system is going to 777
change the tone of their schools. Especially if 60 new kids are from $300,000 homes going to school with kids who 778
are from $100,000 homes. That’s a social divide and it’s going to happen, and it’s going to affect things in the 779
community. It’s something that needs to be thought of.780
781
David Blankfard: Thank you for the comment. There’s nothing else I can say about that. 782
783
MOTION by Randy Marshall to recommend approval that the Fairway Hills development go to the County 784
Commissioners as a major subdivision preliminary plot application proposing a 20-lot single family residential 785
subdivision in the Eno Township of the County in accordance with the provision to Section 2.15 In Article 7 786
subdivisions of the Unified Development Ordinance. Adam Beeman seconded.787
VOTE:Passed (7-3) (Spitzer, Piracci, Aguilar)788
789
Craig Benedict: Before we adjourn, regarding the topics addressed, we can bring material to you that’s independent 790
of a project and if we have the opportunity for new and old members to explain some of the science behind these 791
issues. We went through an orientation tonight about the background and planning. The topics of what you can 792
issues are permitted by right, what regulations we have, and can you exceed them or not. Those are all topics that 793
we need to get to so that everybody understand how a development process is reviewed. As was suggested tonight,794
if the Board as an idea to raise a standard up, they can vote to have us bring something forward to the 795
Commissioners. We might forward it to another advisory board. If we get authorization from the Board to move 796
forward with this that’s what we do. Once those standards are established, that’s what we hold the development 797
community to and then we move forward on known information with clarity. 798
799
Hathaway Pendergrass: That first I had, I said the word abstain I meant to say recuse just because of the potential 800
conflict that I would have. That’s why I didn’t vote. 801
802
Michael Harvey: Those with an interest in having a motion made to ask the County Commissioners to direct to staff to 803
initiate a comprehensive discussion of the existing stormwater standards. 804
805
Kim Piracci: I feel like the staff like Brennen Bouma, I would like to see these people involved in this. 806
807
Michael Harvey: That’s up to the County Commissioners to decide.808
809
David Blankfard: Do we have a recommendation to send that to the Board of the County Commissioners? 810
811
Kim Piracci: I don’t know. I just feel like the Planning Board has a different agenda than an environmental board. 812
813
MOTION by Hunter Spitzer to request the Board of Orange County Commissioners to commission a study within the 814
planning department to review the existing stormwater standards. Hathaway Pendergrass seconded.815
816
Craig Benedict: I mean the Board would have to have consensus to at least make that suggestion. What we’ll do if 817
the Board does so vote on that to move it forward you can have us in advance of that provide where those standards 818
come from, what other standards are just so you have an idea of the context of where the standard came from and 819
then if you decide to move forward you can still do that. We’ll bring in the experts and things like that, so everybody 820
has the context of where existing standards came from. 821
822
Approved 7/5/19
Hunter Spitzer: I would like to request that, please, the bringing forward of experts to better explain the current 823
standards. 824
825
Craig Benedict: We’ll bring back kind of a white paper on where the standard came from and you can decide. If the 826
Board wants to vote on that motion now, we have a first and second to have staff bring back a report. 827
828
Hunter Spitzer: Motion. 829
830
MOTION by Hunter Spitzer to request the Planning Department staff to do a study to review the existing stormwater831
standards. Hathaway Pendergrass seconded.832
VOTE:(Adam, David, Patricia against).833
834
AGENDA ITEM 9: ADJOURNMENT835
The meeting was adjourned by consensus836
837
838
839
David Blankfard, Vice Chair840