Buckhorn Village gets a hearing

The western Orange County project draws 120 to a county commissioners hearing

HILLSBOROUGH -- About 120 people packed a courtroom Monday for a public hearing on a proposed 1.1 million-square-foot retail and mixed development on the western edge of Orange County.

Developers of the Buckhorn Village project have asked for rezoning and a special use permit. The Orange County Board of Commissioners heard from them and members of the public who voiced both concerns and support.

The developers have proposed building in three development districts totaling about 130 acres. One would be 41 acres for four or fewer large retail tenants. A second would be 40 acres for mixed office, retail, entertainment and residential uses, and a third would be 48 acres of retail.

The site is within one of the three economic development districts the county set up more than a decade ago, and includes the current Buckhorn flea market off Interstate 40-85.

Planning consultants for the developers told the board their plans call for widening the bridge over the interstate and portions of Buckhorn Road.

They emphasized the development would be pedestrian-friendly and link with bike paths.

Roger Perry, one of the project's developers, told the board that the project would help keep retail dollars in Orange County.

"There are 84,000 cars going up and down that road today, per day," he said, referring to the interstates. Perry said the project would create 1,000 to 1,500 construction jobs and 1,500 to 2,000 permanent jobs.

Members of the public then addressed the board, some speaking in favor, others sharing concerns about traffic and effects on local property. At least 39 people signed up to speak.

"This township ... has always been like the stepchild of Orange County," said Debra Elmore, adding that she was worried about detrimental effects on her property and taxes. "People's lives are going to change in that community."

As he waited for his turn to speak, Economic Development Commission board member Bob Ward said he was supportive of the project.

"A commercial development pays for itself four-to-one," he said. "Whereas a residential project has a negative cost [in terms of public services]." He also said the local developers responsible for the project have a good track record. "They've done great development," he said.

'Local first'

Mike Collins, who said he was speaking on behalf of a group of citizens, said he had concerns about the jobs promised, and that the county should think about quality, not quantity.

"Even if this development is able to bring in large retailers from outside, the jobs created are likely to be low-wage and ephemeral -- hardly a recipe for sustainability," he said, recommending, among other things, a "local-first" policy to set a level of local tenants and owners.

The commissioners said during the meeting that they would delay their comments and questions to give members of the public time to speak.

County staff recommended before the meeting that the board adjourn the public hearing and reconvene it later. A timeline indicates the board could take action on the developers' requests in May or June.