INC NEWS - Resolution for Improving Environmental Protection in Durham County

[Ken Gasch]

Thank you to Cathy, Melissa, Cragie and others for their continued work on
this resolution.

See below.

Ken Gasch

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HERE IS DRAFT FOR POSTING TO LISTSERVE:
INC Listserve: Final Revised Proposed INC Resolution for Improving
Environmental Protection in Durham County

TO: Delegates to INC from Neighborhood Associations

1. Attached and enclosed is the final revised substitute proposal for
Resolution about the Environment.

2. After the June INC general meeting, a subcommittee met with Melissa
Rooney.
The attached and enclosed proposed INC Resolution .... serves as the
Substitute Resolution replacing the Tree Save Resolution that was
discussed at the June INC meeting.

3. The Executive Board is posting this official version of the proposed
INC Resloution for Improving Environmental Protection in Durham County
to the INC listserve.

4.  Delegates may take this proposed resolution to their Neighborhood
Associations for discussion and a voting decision.

5. Copies of this proposed INC Resolution . . . . will be available at
the July 22 meeting.

6. Voting on this Resolution will be scheduled for the August 26
meeting.

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INC Resolution for Improving Environmental Protection in Durham County


Whereas, the environmental protection provisions of the Unified
Development Ordinance have not been
               substantially revised for at least ten years; Whereas,
the Joint City-County Planning Commission and the Director of the Durham
City-County
                Planning Department have expressed a need for revision
of the environmental protection
               provisions of the UDO;
Whereas, citizens have become concerned about tree-cutting and
mass-grading on new developments,
               particularly in southwest Durham; Whereas, some
undeveloped land in Durham County is environmentally sensitive,
particularly land that
                drains into the Jordan Lake and Falls of Neuse
watersheds; Whereas, the quality of the water used for drinking water
and recreation in Jordan Lake and Falls Lake
               has become impaired.

THEREFORE:

1.  The Inter-Neighborhood Council resolves that the Durham County Board
of Commissioners
      and the Durham City Council review and revise the environmental
protection provisions of
     the UDO.

2.  The Inter-Neighborhood Council also resolves that the process for
revising the environmental
      protection provisions of the UDO include effective citizen dialog
and substantial
      representative participation in discussion of the issues that
impact Durham County, especially
     the undeveloped areas in the Suburban and Rural Tiers.


Examples of Environmental Issues that need consideration and revision
include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Increase the Preservation of Natural Open Space.
2. Maximize the Retention of Existing Tree Coverage.
3. Discourage Clear-cutting of Existing Trees and Mass-grading of
Development Tracts.
4. Extend Stream Buffers.
5. Strengthen Storm Water and Sedimentation/Erosion Controls.