After reading, and before signing the petition, learn more about the current area up for rezoning here -
http://home.earthlink.net/~egypt_rezone/The RDU area, ranking
3rd nationally in urban sprawl, is continuing to experience explosive growth, even with the water shortage (drought will be back, its nature), foreclosures, congested roads, poor public transportation, nationally ranked OZONE levels, overcrowded schools, severe sedimentation issues, excess nutrients in waterways, loss of open space, both natural and agricultural areas.
This project is one of many being planned having no idea where the water is going to come from during the next drought, against the advice of numerous water quality studies, and during a very poor home market, even here in the Triangle. The planners admitted to us they have no formula for calculating water needs based on currently approved developments. There are so many they can't keep up. The planners and commissioners do talk about and do "plan" to preserve open space and protect the watersheds, yet ignore the advice of experts and approve developemt after development. The East Durham Open Space Plan lays out an aggressive urban sprawl strategy with token open space and watershed protection.
We want the Durham City / County planners and commissioners to call a halt to all East Durham development until more intelligently designed plans can be drawn up. We ask that they not continue the rampant approval of almost ever developers request. What about the citizens who vote for you?
We recommend they work more closely with the Upper Neuse River Basin Association, local universities, DENR, Corp of Engineers, local residents, the Green Home Builders of the Triangle and follow the lead of other forward-thinking smart growth cities such as Portland, Oregon.
Learn more about Durham County growth, planning, rezoning and development and a BETTER WAY at this web site -
http://home.earthlink.net/~egypt_rezone/