[Durham INC] Fw: heraldsun.com article

[Melissa Rooney]

See below. If there's nothing to hide, why wouldn't the developer support an independent survey and public hearings...particularly since they claim they want to be good neighbors. And the current economy isn't exactly warming to more development -- residential or retail -- any time soon...

Melissa (Rooney)







				
				
				
		

		
		
		
			
		
		
			Hold hearings on Jordan Lake issue
			
		
		
		
			
		
	
		

		
		
		
			
		
			
		
		
			
		
			
		
			Mar 2, 2009
			
		
		


		
		
		
			
			
		
		
			
				
					
			 
		
		There are so many questions and concerns surrounding a proposed development in southern Durham County near Jordan Lake that it only makes sense to slow down and hold public hearings .    


But attorneys for Southern Durham Development Inc., are fighting any further discussion, saying everything has already been done that's legally necessary to rezone the property.    


We think even the developer should be interested in clearing the air and trying to gain greater consensus on the project before proceeding.    


Consider some of the questions that have been raised:    


* In 2006, former City-County Planning Director Frank Duke approved a change to the critical watershed boundaries around Jordan Lake that allowed the project to go forward. But many officials now question whether Duke had the authority to do that.    


* Current City-County Planning Director Steve Medlin says he believes the watershed maps can only be changed after a public hearing, a vote by the Planning Commission and votes by the City Council and/or County Commissioners. His views need to be taken seriously.    


* The development is large, with residential, retail and office space, and will be close to Jordan Lake. Its size and proximity to the lake leads to concerns about the impact of  runoff on water quality.    


Notably, the Chatham Board of County Commissioners has protested changing the watershed boundaries. Chatham's objection carries weight, since Jordan Lake supplies Chatham's water supply. Cary, Apex, Morrisville and the Wake County portion of RTP also take water from the lake, and Durham may use it in the future.    


Such a development near the lake would harm water quality and add water treatment costs for Chatham County and Cary, said George Lucier, chair of the Chatham County commissioners.    


Environmental activists are also up in arms, with an online petition signed by 1,800 people. We think there is enough concern about water quality to merit further study.    


* So far, all the decisions have been based on two surveys commissioned by the developer. Some Durham County officials and environmentalists are encouraging an independent survey. We think that's a good idea, and one the developer should also get behind. It would gain goodwill and help put everyone's mind at ease.    


In a recent decision, the state Divison of Water Quality sided with the developer and signed off on the boundary change. But in a matter of this importance, with this many questions raised, it makes sense to take the time to be sure we're making the right call. 
		
	
		

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