| Dear Friend,
Despite scathing comments from the public and significant attention by the media, the Wake County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) is considering approving a Text Change to the UDO that would put at risk the future of Falls Lake and every other water supply with a connection to Wake County. We need your help; please contact the Wake County Board of County Commissioners and tell them that the proposed text change, OA 03-09, serves only private interests, is dangerous to the future health of Wake County, and should be denied.
The Proposed OA 03-09, brought forth by private property interests, was heard by the Wake Commissioners at the beginning of this month and was opposed by the Foundation, WakeUp Wake County, the City of Raleigh, and the Watershed Protection Council. This is an attempt to permanently grandfather non-conforming uses in Water Supply Watersheds (including Falls Lake, Swift Creek, and Little River) to allow large development projects to be created where a residential-only restriction currently exists. The specific property interests bringing this change forward is a lumber yard with plants to be converted into a large shopping center near Hwy 50 and 98 in northwest Wake County, a property within the Falls Lake Watershed.
On Monday, March 29, the Growth, Land Use and Environment (GLUE) Committee of the Wake BoCC will meet at 10:15 a.m. to discuss this proposed text change. In addition, the subject is expected to be addressed for a final decision at the 1:00 p.m. BoCC meeting on April 5, 2010. Before those dates the Commissioners must hear from the community about the dangers this text change presents.
Act Now!
Contact the Wake County Board of County Commissioners and tell them that the proposed text change, OA 03-09, serves only private interests, is dangerous to the future health of Wake County, and should be denied. This change does not the benefit Falls Lake or Wake County residents in general, is not necessary for the project being discussed to occur, and risks opening the flood gates to a hoard of environmentally damaging projects that will no longer be required to receive appropriate evaluation by the public.
You can contact them via: Email or Phone at (919) 856-6160
Please include all of the Wake Commissioners at commissioners@co.wake.nc.us and Susan Banks, Clerk to the BoCC at susan.banks@co.wake.nc.us. If you are willing, we would love to be cc'd at alissa@neuseriver.org - or you can just click the link above!
Learn More
For the following reasons, the proposed text change, OA 03-09, should be denied.
- Since this action could be determined to be appropriate and allowed to occur through the existing variance procedure there is no reason that this change is required in order to protect the property owner's interests. Failure to pass the change does not constitute a taking of private property.
- The incredibly general language forwarded by the applicant opens the door to at least another 10 properties throughout Wake County that are also in water supply watersheds to implement similar projects, that would previously have not been allowed, without appropriate review by the public and elected officials.
- Approving this project via text change does not ensure that the environmental protections discussed by the applicant will be implemented. Approval by variance would include conditions which require the applicant to honor their word - this form of approval holds no such legal requirement.
Environmentalists upset over lake watershed development, ABC11, 03/01/10
There's outrage in Wake County over a proposed change that would allow for new development in the Falls Lake watershed... Wake vote could hurt lake cleanup, N&O, 03/02/10
The Wake County Board of Commissioners might allow commercial development in the Falls Lake watershed, a scenario that environmental groups and Raleigh city staff warned could impede efforts to clean the polluted waters of the lake...
Wake County commissioners are studying a plan to allow more development in the Falls Lake watershed. Raleigh officials are opposed to the move... View the Commission Meeting when OA 03-09 was first presented
Cue to 01:16:35 and hear the concerns expressed by the Foundation, City of Raleigh, WakeUp Wake County, and the Watershed Protection Council. View the Commissioners' reactions and judge for yourself whether this project is the danger we believe it to be...
Upcoming Upper Neuse Events
8th Annual Neuse River Cleanup - April 10, 8:30-2:00 p.m.
The cleanup is good for the river and a great way to show your community spirit; come join us for some good work in the morning, followed by a well-deserved thank you celebration at Anderson Point Park. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a picnic on us following the cleanup! Save the Neuse Benefit Concert - June 4, 9:00 p.m.
Clean Water Lobby Day - June 23, time TBA
This is an opportunity for Foundation members and supporters to join with other watershed protection organizations and concerned citizens from across the state in speaking up to protect and conserve our water resources. This is a fun and educational event; make sure to save the date! |
