SEE PETITION “UPDATES” ATTACHED TO THIS INITIAL PETITION AS THE APPLICANT’S INITIAL REZONING REQUEST NO LONGER APPLIES. INSTEAD, A “SPECIAL USE” PERMIT FOR THE PROPERTY IS NOW BEING REQUESTED BY THE APPLICANT.

It is expected that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners will be presented with a petition to vote on a Lawrence Road residential rezoning amendment this June (2023) which would allow for the following:

The development of a (84+) acre field located on Lawrence Road (across the street from the Lawrence Road Baptist Church). The property in question is currently zoned as “Rural Residential” and the applicant (Lawrence Road Partners, LLC - the landlord) has requested that the County redefine the zoning of the property in question to that of “Master Plan Development – Conditional District”.  This zoning change would allow the applicant (and/or its designee(s)) to move forward with the construction of (2) separate preparatory / charter schools (a high school - seemingly funded and a lower school - not currently funded).  In addition, it would allow for the build-out of recreational facilities (none of which are currently funded). Some of which may allow public access? Though any initiative which advances educational opportunities afforded to the youth of our community (or youth in general) should be applauded, this initiative comes with some very concerning elements which (a shortfall in funding aside), arguably, will have an adverse impact not only those who live in the communities adjacent to or close to the property in question but also to the broader public which relies on the the use of Lawrence Road, US 70A (a.k.a. "Business 70") as well as any other roads that connect to these roads (e.g., Old NC Hwy 10, US 70, NC 86, NC Hwy 86, etc.).  Detailed below are a handful of things to consider:

• Collectively, the schools would support approximately (1,400) students yet the site will include (400+) spaces for faculty, staff and students. What about the other 1,000+ students?  How will they come and go from the schools? Also, as a preparatory / charter school, not all students are required to be from Hillsborough or Orange County as admission to the school will be on a “lottery basis” extending to students beyond Orange County.
• Public use of the property (if it is not privatized?) would be limited to (8) proposed baseball fields, a skate park and and seemingly (1) additional field.
• The daily volume of traffic on Lawrence Road and US 70A would be expected to increase exponentially. Especially during school start and end times. Not personally worried as you really do not rely on the direct use of either Lawrence Road or US 70A? As mentioned above, think about impacts to other roads that link to these roads.
• Only the schools will be serviced by public water and sewer. All private and, if allowed by the Developer(?), public recreational facilities would leverage well and septic. The same natural resources the residents in this residential area are dependent upon.  In addition, water run-off problems which currently exist surrounding the property in question will likely be compounded.
• If this initial rezoning request is approved, the applicant / developer will be able to make future development changes whereby the public comment (as it exists in this stage) will no longer be available.
• The Mayor and Hillsborough Board of Commissioners (our / Hillsborough’s elected officials) have voted against this rezoning request.
• For further insight, please review the updates to this petition.

If this proposed rezoning is allowed to proceed as currently planned or without significant changes to proposed rezoning plan, it seems all but certain that there will be heavy known and unknown burdens imposed upon the broader public before, during and after the development has been finalized.

We have very little time to stop this rezoning initiative either entirely or as it is currently proposed before it is submitted to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners for final approval.  "This Hillsborough build at all costs and then fix the infrastructure after it breaks mentality needs to stop or, at a minimum, it needs to be kept in check."  PLEASE show your support. Sign this petition and join this movement to do just that.

Thank you for your consideration and potential support(!)

Key informational links:

https://centralpermits.orangecountync.gov/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService#/plan/b6f9e633-e5e8-471d-8d81-4c10e0a2739e?tab=attachments​

https://www.orangecountync.gov/953/Board-of-County-Commissioners-BOCC