INC NEWS - Hearing on Open SPace Plan for Easter DUrham COunty

[pat carstensen]

At last headway is being made on the East Durham Open Space Plan, but it 
needs support to get it  finally passed.  This plan is the kind of 
responsible planning we need other communities to embrace.  This type of 
conservation and trails/parks planning proposed is the type of strategic 
planning we've needed for a long time.

**UPDATE!**
There are 2 important public hearing's coming up April 9th, and April 16th.  
The plan was in draft when you'd last seen this in February, but it is 
finally moving forward. We'd been able to get several folks to attend the 
commissioners meeting on 2/13 to speak in support of the East Durham Open 
Space plan, and now we need make sure that people take advantage of the 
opportunity to be heard and show support at the public hearings coming up.  
Information on both of the hearings is below, and I would encourage you 
attend one or both.  If you can't attend, you can still help -- I have 
information below on who you can drop an email to in the city / county 
government to ask for their support of the East Durham Open Space Plan.

Quoted from the Notice on the April 9th / 16th Public Hearings...
"The Board of County Commissioners and the Durham City Council will hold 
public hearings on the Eastern Durham Open Space Plan.  The Eastern Durham 
Open Space Plan is a plan to identify and preserve valuable open spaces in 
Eastern Durham, covering the area generally between I-85, US 70 Bypass, US 
70, and Falls Lake.  The Plan has multiple public objectives related to 
providing recreation opportunities, preserving natural beauty, protecting 
wildlife habitat, preserving historic resources, and maintaining water 
quality.  Implementing the plan will involve public actions in park 
development, trail construction, and open space acquisition.

The Durham country Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing to 
consider the plan at its April 9th, 2007 meeting.  The Meeting Starts at 
7:00 PM and will be held in the county Board Room on the second floor, 200 
East Main Street.  Planning staff will present their recommendation on the 
plan at the meeting.

The Durham City Council will hold a public hearing to consider the plan at 
its April 16, 2007 meeting.  The meeting starts at 7:00 PM in the City 
Council chambers, 101 City Hall Plaza.  Planning staff will present their 
recommendation on the plan at the meeting. "

Please take a couple minutes and email or call the following Durham 
government officials.  Let them know you support the plan and would like to 
see it move forward ASAP.
http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/planning/planning_commission_roster.cfm
http://www.durhamcountync.gov/departments/bocc/index.html
to email the city council, send to council at ci.durham.nc.us

Here's a link to the East Durham Open Space Plan Proposed if you'd like to 
read all the details
http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/planning/pdf/plan_eastdurhamopenspace.pdf

Please share this information with your friends and neighbors in the Durham 
area.

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