(Sorry about the delay on this. Big doings in Captial City—see previous post.)
Let’s go to the tape.
Watch and Hear Board Meeting (4hrs 17min; in 225kbps RealPlayer â„¢ format)
Download and Listen to Board Meeting
The video is available for Tuesday’s Board of Alderman public hearing and if you’re interested in discussion on the new elementary school visit the links above (or click on the pic) and scroll your viewer ahead to the 23:30 mark to hear the opening presentation on the design of the school and some of the concerns raised. Lighting around the proposed roundabout is one issue that had the board asking questions. District DOT officials want the roundabout well lit to reduce accidents.
At the 50:30 mark, officials from Chapel Hill Carboro City Schools begin their presentation. With an excellent explanation of the school capacity realities and how they relate to the implementation of the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance.
Members of the Carrboro and Orange County planning departments weigh in starting at the 1 hour 20 minute mark.
James Carnahan, speaking for the town Planning Board said there are deep misgivings about the site chosen for the school. The board, he said, feels that the school is too far away from the neighborhoods that will use the facilty. Major infrastructure should be closer to the population. The Planning Board also wants the town to cover the cost of full-sized gym.
Orange County Planning Board chair Jay Bryan said there are concerns about how other roads in the area will be used. He asked the town to make sure local residental roads don’t become cut-throughs and called for a reduction in speed limits on Old N.C. 86 and Eubanks Road. He also asked for the sewer line to be moved from the west side of Jones Creek to the east side to preserve natural areas on the west side.
At the 1:38:00, neighbors of the school get their say, most with concerns about how traffic will flow and the configuation of the parking lots, access roads and kiss-and-go-lanes. They also asked the board to keep the lighting around the school to a reasonable level. Northern Transition Area board member Brian Decker, who lives near the project, said the lighting plan in the proposal doesn’t provide enough information.
Board discussion and followup questions around the 1:48:15 mark.
The unanimous vote comes at roughly 3:38:00.