Jordan Lake petition ruled valid

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Validity of watershed petition in doubt

The Haw River Assembly's protest petition against moving a critical Jordan Lake watershed boundary has been found invalid, Durham County Commissioner Becky Heron said Thursday afternoon.

The petition does not carry signatures of enough property owners in the affected area to qualify, she said. Heron said she and Commissioner Ellen Reckhow learned of the determination after a meeting with Planning Director Steve Medlin.

Medlin said the determination is not final. He has scheduled a news conference this afternoon to announce a ruling on the petition's validity. The announcement is to be made at 3:30 in the commissioners' chambers, 200 E. Main St.

Haw River group presses its battle

The Haw River Assembly isn't giving up its fight against changing a watershed boundary for Jordan Lake.

The Assembly and the Southern Environmental Law Center claim the Durham City-County Planning Department erred in ruling a protest petition invalid.

A valid petition would have required the county commissioners to vote at least 4-1 to change the boundary. The change passed 3-2 Oct. 12.

Watershed petition may go to court

Durham County Attorney Lowell Siler said Thursday that the validity of a protest petition and the county commissioners' Oct.12 vote on the Jordan Lake watershed boundary must be decided in Superior Court.

Siler made his statement even though City/County Planning Director Steve Medlin has ruled the petition is valid. The county attorney said he questions whether one petitioner had legal authority to sign.

Whether the petition actually goes to court is up to the petitioners, Siler said. Thursdayafternoon, petition supporterMelissa Rooney posted a notice on Durham's InterNeighborhood Council e-mail list seeking to raise $10,000 by Monday forlegal fees.

Commissioners: Jordan Lake petition invalid

The Haw River Assembly’s protest petition against relocating a critical Jordan Lake watershed boundary has been found invalid, Durham County Commissioner Becky Heron said Thursday afternoon.

The petition does not carry signatures of enough property owners in the affected area to qualify, she said. Heron said she and commissioner Ellen Reckhow learned of the decision after a meeting with Planning Director Steve Medlin.

Medlin said, though, that the determination was not final. He has scheduled a news conference Friday afternoon to announce a ruling on the petition’s validity.

Jordan Lake dispute likely bound for courts

The next step for the Jordan Lake watershed saga must be into court, Durham County Attorney Lowell Siler said this morning.

But it will be up to those opposing the watershed relocation, which county commissioners approved Oct. 12, whether that step is taken, Siler said.

Siler also said that, if the matter does go to court, he will defend the Oct. 12 vote, despite City/County Planning Director Steve Medlin's Wednesday ruling that a protest petition filed before the vote is valid.