Orange County Commissioners consider economic development, discuss landfill options

County economic development dominated discussion at the first joint meeting between the Chapel Hill Town Council and the Orange County Board of Commissioners.

During the meeting, which was led by Commissioner Chairwoman Bernadette Pelissier and Chapel Hill Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt, officials discussed the county’s economic goals and how they relate to the town.

“We’re all looking forward to talking about some issues that have been at the top of our mind for some time,” Kleinschmidt said.

County Manager Frank Clifton described the county’s economic goals as increasing the commercial tax base without necessarily increasing the residential tax base.

Gary Shope, the county’s economic development director, added that Orange County needed to focus on 21st century industries such as data, life sciences and social media.

“Anything that creates innovation and jobs is economic development,” he said.

Chapel Hill Town Manager Roger Stancil echoed these sentiments, but said the town doesn’t have the space for the large industry the county seeks.

However Kleinschmidt pointed to the August opening of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts on East Franklin Street as an example of successful economic development policies.

“With Krispy Kreme, it wasn’t that we all just wanted doughnuts,” Kleinschmidt said. “It’s special because we implemented new, efficient strategies and got the store open in 30 days.”

Clifton said the county also hasn’t worked out an incentive policy, which is crucial to bringing new businesses to the area. He said incentives should be structured around future revenues.

In other business, officials discussed an option to expand the Orange County landfill’s capacity until January 2017. Commissioners will discuss this issue at their April 5 meeting.

Despite Kleinschmidt’s disapproval of extending the landfill’s capacity, Clifton said this was the best available option.

“The landfill could be shut down tomorrow if you had an alternative way to dispose of the waste,” Clifton said.

Council members and commissioners later discussed a proposed plan to let Durham extend sewers into Orange County. Council member Matt Czajkowski said Durham would likely annex that land if the plan was executed.

“I’d like to understand why Orange County should speed up development of land that may end up in Durham city,” Mayor Pro Tem Jim Ward said.

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