By Kirk Ross
Staff Writer
CARRBORO – The Carrboro Board of Aldermen said on Tuesday that they want an opportunity to make their opinions known when the county drafts plans for how it would deal with the aftermath of an incident at the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant.
The Progress Energy plant sits on the border of Wake and Chatham counties in New Hill, roughly 35 miles from Carrboro.
The request came as the board reviewed the county’s five-year update to its hazard mitigation plan.
Board members Dan Coleman, Sammy Slade and Randee Haven-O’Donnell said they’d like to see a more in-depth look at how Orange County would deal with the long-term consequences of an incident at the plant.
In other action, the board reviewed proposed changes to the town’s engineering site-plan review process. The changes would give the town more flexibility in the review of stormwater plans for residential and commercial projects, altering the sequence under which complete plans are required.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the board also reviewed its street-closings policy along with a detailed report on the races that are applying for permits.
Board member Jacquie Gist said she doesn’t want to discourage groups interested in holding events, but wants to make sure that Carrboro is not seen as the easy place to hold a race.
Mayor Mark Chilton noted that one clear advantage to holding a race in Carrboro is the lack of hills on the routes used.
Board member Lydia Lavelle said the report (available at townofcarrboro.org/BoA/Agendas/2010/06_08_2010.htm) showed that there are a few opportunities in the schedule, but wanted to encourage groups interested to focus on local nonprofits.