On June 12, the Orange County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted against the building of a private school and a request to change zoning off of Lawrence Road.
During the meeting, the BOCC listened to information about the project provided by the private development company, Lawrence Road Partners LLC, who aimed to build near U.S. 70A in the Eno Township.
The purpose of the meeting was to hold a public hearing and listen to information about the request between the company and the county. The meeting was split between June 6 and 12 because it ran long due to public comment during the initial hearing.
The zoning land and use review was evaluated and should coincide with promoting public health, safety, and general welfare, according to county guidelines. The plan must meet certain financial, environmental, and social justice impacts.
The meeting discussed how the private school would impact a variety of factors like transportation, environment, finance, public utilities, and water and sewer extensions.
Along with the school, athletic grounds, like baseball fields and tennis courts were part of the application. This was a factor considered by the county commissioners, because the fields would be open to the public.
An aerial view diagram depicting the “Master Plan” for the private school.
The land is currently zoned as residential, with some ability to create other uses. County Commissioner Jean Hamilton said she had some reservations with the project and saw some inconsistencies regarding the plan and purpose of the land.
“Is that use of the land in this rezoning versus what it’s currently zoned for consistent and reasonable?”
Hamilton said “dominated land use in any proposed development is expected to be residential based on square foot.”
Hamilton wasn’t the only commissioner concerned about the inconsistencies of the proposal. County Commissioner Sally Greene said she believes the transportation plan that the company proposed is not consistent with the overall comprehensive plan.
“Where I think that this plan doesn’t fit,” she said in the meeting, “would be with the overall goal number 3, which talks about wanting land uses in a coordinated pattern that preserves community and rural character, minimizes land use conflicts, and is supported by an efficient and balanced transportation system.”
“The proposed rezoning is inconsistent, not reasonable, not in the public interest and that the current zoning is appropriate,” added County Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford.
County Commissioner Phyllis Portie Ascott explained her thought process and part of the reasoning behind her vote. She said that sports change the lives of children and she is glad the recreational facilities would still be allowed even though the project will not be rezoned.
“I was torn going through this whole process. And reviewing this project as a parent of a rising senior who recently transferred from Orange High to go to Cedar Ridge. I know that every parent wants the best education possible for their child,” said Ascott. “And I too believe you should have some say for where our child gets to go. And as a commissioner those [projections] are a tool that we use to determine when schools are needed. It’s saying we don’t need one for another five years.”
Photo via the Lawrence Road Partners/Orange County Government.
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