HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-12-1999 - 3ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA .ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 12, 1999
Action Agenda
Item No. ,~
SUBJECT: Buckhorn Road Economic Development District
DEPARTMENT: EDC/Planning~Engineer PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):. INFORMATION CONTACT:
Map of EDD and Adjoining Area Dianne Reid, ext 2300; Craig Benedict, ext
2592; Paul Thames, ext 2303
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To provide direction to staff regarding development of a coordinated .approach to
the expansion of the Efland Sewer system, the Buckhorn Road Economic Development District
(EDD), and joint planning with the City of Mebane.
BACKGROUND: When the Board of County Commissioners adopted their goals for the
current fiscal year, the County Engineer, the Planning Director and the Director of Economic
Development were directed to work together to develop a coordinated approach to the
expansion of the Efland Sewer system, the Buckhorn Road Economic Development District,
and joint planning with Mebane. It was understood that the working group would return to the
Commissioners this fall with objectives and timelines for achieving the coordinated goal. During
several meetings held during the summer, the Engineer and Planning and EDC staff have
realized that we need more direction from the Commissioners regarding three specific issues:
a) use of existing $1.2 million in bond funds for expansion of the.. Efland system; b) extent of
desired changes to permitted uses within the Buckhorn Road .Economic Development District;
and c) water availability.
During discussions regarding the adoption of goals by the Orange County Board of County
Commissioners, several Commissioners expressed their desire for a comprehensive and
coordinated approach to three previously separate issues: the extension of the Efland sewer
system, a review of permitted uses in the Buckhorn Road Economic Development District, and
joint planning efforts with the City of Mebane. Subsequently, at least one Commissioner has
requested that we add the establishment of an Efland utilities district as an objective of the
coordinated goal
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The County Engineer and the Directors of Planning and Economic Development have met on
several occasions. and have attempted to examine these issues holistically. After our
September meeting, we concluded that there are three large issues that we need the
Commissioners to address.
^ First, do you want to utilize the bond funds approved in 1997 ($1.2 million) to provide
service to Efland consumers or to engineer the entire system?
Second, the Buckhorn Road Economic Development District is currently geared
toward industrial uses and does not permit residential uses. Is there a desire to add
residential? Is there a desire to have activity zones within the EDD, for example,
heavy industrial, light industrial, office zones? (The Permitted Use table will be
distributed at the meeting.)
Third, Orange Alamance Water is at capacity, with 80 percent of its water going west
of Buckhorn Road. Are we to explore options for dealing with water availability in our
planning efforts?
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no immediate financial impact associated with discussion of
these issues at this work session. However, the direction provided by the Board will lead to
consideration of future decisions which will have large capital and operating budget impacts.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss the issues
outlined and provide appropriate direction to staff..
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