A brief chronology of citizen involvement in Twin Creeks siting decisions from 2003 to the present.

A brief chronology of citizen involvement in Twin Creeks siting decisions

2003: Several times during the CHATPEC meetings, citizens and school board rep's raised concerns over the school being unnecessarily far from the dense neighborhood of Lake Hogan Farms (500 homes). Were told these could not be addressed, due to the restrictions of BOCC charge to CHATPEC.

Nothing happens...Nothing happens...
Late summer 2004: citizens learn the BOCC have told county staff to apply "Smart Growth" principles to Twin Creeks during the summer. Citizens, school board, CHATPEC, town council are not included in this effort.
Oct 4, 2004: County staff present County Plan #2 to public. Citizens make comments that the school is unnecessarily far from the dense neighborhood of Lake Hogan Farms. These are included in the public record, but have no impact on later staff recommendation to BOCC. School district representative states for the public record that this presentation is the first time the schools are seeing the County Plan #2, which changes the siting for ES#10 from County Plan #1.
Oct 11: Citizens start circulating emails and discussing the issue.
Oct 19: County posts County Plan #2 on web.
Oct 20: Citizens discover that Town of Carrboro Town Council and Planning Boards have not been involved in "Smart Growth" planning for Twin Creeks. Citizens start creating Plan #3, and getting comment on it from informed individuals.
Nov 5: Citizens issue second draft of Plan #3 by email, start soliciting comments.
Nov 16: Plan #3 presented to Lake Hogan Farm HOA meeting. It is received with general enthusiasm by the approximately 20 attendees, though some question whether the School Board would support a walkable school.
Same day, BOCC is scheduled to review county plans, but they are deferred due to late hour. Staff report shows complete disregard for citizen concerns about school siting, their focus is primarily to get park playing fields built soon.
Nov 17: Discussion of Twin Creeks plans at CHCCS PTA Council meeting, leading to agreement that Plan #3 should be forwarded to CHCCS School Board and Orange County for consideration as a better alternative.
Nov 19: Citizen Plan #3 is posted at www.orangecitizens.org
Nov 23: McDougle MS PTA announce public forum to be held Dec 2, invite BOCC and county staff to attend and present, include web link to Citizen Plan #3.
Nov 24: School Bd chair and Supt. write letter to county in support of involving school board in siting of ES#10, and consideration of Citizen Plan #3.
Dec 2: Public forum on Twin Creeks and Plan #3 is held at MMS, with 20 in attendance, Unanimous support for the plan as a big improvement over existing county plans.
Dec 3: County staff issue preliminary review of Citizen Plan #3, indicating that they believe it could be built essentially as shown, possible minor modifications are needed due to topology, but that it would take time to do the necessary planning, and request guidance from the BOCC. Staff include material supportive of encouraging walking to parks, located within 1/8 to 1 mile of neighborhoods.
Dec 6: BOCC meets to decide on Twin Creeks planning. Citizen Plan #3 is presented in 3 minutes. Citizens speak out at BOCC meeting in support of consideration of the plan. They cite the need for the involvement of Carrboro planning and town council and School Board in any Twin Creeks Smart Growth initiatives, and the need to look at the successes of walkable schools like Rashkis and Scroggs already in existence in CHCCS.

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Regards,
Matthew