“Viewpoints” is a place on Chapelboro where local people are encouraged to share their unique perspectives on issues affecting our community. All thoughts, ideas, opinions and expressions in this series are those of the author, and do not reflect the work, reporting or approval of 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com. If you’d like to contribute a column on an issue you’re concerned about, interesting happenings around town, reflections on local life — or anything else — send a submission to viewpoints@wchl.com.
The Time Is Now: Bringing Water Management Practices Into Line With Current Scientific Research
A perspective from John Dempsey
Now is the time for Orange County to bring development policy into line with stated environmental goals by revising our UDO (Unified Development Ordinances) based on current, science-based, field research. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2050 (CLUP 2050) is being composed and is scheduled to be adopted as early as the Spring of 2025. This document will guide zoning and development decisions for decades and directly impact everyone living here in Orange County.
Much watershed management field research has been conducted since 2008 when the current CLUP was adopted. That research focuses mainly on Urban Stream Syndrome, the universally observed degradation of streams due to urban development. This current CLUP review process offers a rare opportunity to bring Orange County’s environmental goals, such as those recently outlined in the new Climate Action Plan, in line with actual land-use policy and development ordinances. Surprisingly, there are no provisions within the CLUP process itself that address such policy updates and reforms.
The public has a short window of opportunity to make their voices heard.
The final two opportunities to share public input will be on September 25th at Gravelly Hill Middle School, 4801 W. Ten Rd., Efland and Thursday, October 3rd at American Legion Post 6, 3700 NC-54, Chapel Hill.
Use your outdoor voices, make your expectations for responsible land use policy known and demand reforms to our UDO that are in compliance with the current science to better protect our water resources moving forward.
“Viewpoints” on Chapelboro is a recurring series of community-submitted opinion columns. All thoughts, ideas, opinions and expressions in this series are those of the author, and do not reflect the work or reporting of 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com.
