Let me first start this update with a humble apology for the delay in getting it to you all. Unfortunately, demands on my time have been a little rough lately but, thankfully, the cavalry is showing up in the form of the “EiaS” gang. Stay tuned… more to come on these wonderful people.

APRIL 5th Meeting:

- The Applicant & team presented their proposed plan to the Orange County Planning Board for roughly (1.5) hours. Quite interesting and all of it pretty much revolving around the Applicant’s theme of: (i) this is my “legacy” to the town of Hillsborough and (ii) to seemingly pose the question to those of us in attendance… who among our community cannot appreciate this development plan which is largely focused on the advancement of our youth? In terms of the second item (ii)? Nice! Let’s weaponize the kids as it relates to this matter when we are all ultimately in their corner.

- During the final (10) minutes of the meeting, Mayor Weaver (accompanied by town Commissioner Ferguson) read into the record a letter from the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners to the Orange County Board of Commissioners (dated 3/21) expressing their opposition to the development due to infrastructure, town development priorities, equity, financial and other concerns.

Okay… two vastly different opinions, what gives?

APRIL 19th Meeting:

- The Planning Board heard the end of the Applicant’s presentation and then took public comments for over an hour.

- At the end of the public comments, some difficult questions were asked by the Planning Board of the Applicant regarding how the proposed development would ultimately come to fruition and who would ultimately pay for this (my perception) “legacy”? A good many of us are still waiting for a clear answer from Applicant on that paramount question.

- At the end of the night, the Planning Board took a vote on the rezoning application and were ultimately deadlocked at 5 - 5. (5) in favor of the Applicant’s rezoning request and (5) against it. To me and I hope you all agree, this is a BIG win. This has been and remains a fight against money, power and influence as we, with far less to work with, continue to stand for thoughtfully planned growth, fairness and equity.

NEXT UP:

WEDNESDAY (MAY 3rd):

- Planning Board deliberations will resume at the very start (7PM) of their scheduled May 3rd meeting in an attempt to ultimately reach a majority decision on this rezoning application request. PLEASE, let’s assume that the final decision of each of the Planning Board members is still subject to persuasion to our opposition side. Accordingly and if you can, PLEASE try to make it to the meeting to show your support but with the understanding that no further public comment will be allowed. 

Meeting Location: Whitted Human Services Building, Donna S. Baker Meeting Room at 300 W. Tryon Street, Hillsborough

It should be a quick meeting that will be simply focused on the Planning Board trying to work towards a majority vote. Please consider voicing your opposition to this rezoning request prior to this 5/3 meeting via a personally delivered letter to the Planning Board. If that is not possible, electronic submissions can be sent here:

planningboard@orangecountync.gov

WEDNESDAY (MAY 16th):

Are you exhausted yet? I know I am. Let’s also start to pivot to the next and final step in the rezoning decision process. That is, getting our concerns in front of the Orange County Board of Commissioners. Again, in person letters delivered are preferred but, if that is not possible, comments / concerns can also be electronically directed here:

ocbocc@orangecountync.gov.

A long update I know but hopefully it is of value to some of you. Finally, I hope you all will commit to staying engaged in this fight. It’s certainly proven to be a grueling effort but, no doubt, we are on the right side of this matter.

Matt