Real Choice

Someone in N&R LTTE comments yesterday mentioned about the State's ability of eminent domain but that is not being raised by anyone connected with the Haw River State Park. The property owners have already signed contracts to sale their land to the Bluegreen development group. That contract, however, is dependent on several factors including rezoning, special permits to remove significant water from the Haw River, community septic system permits, water line extension approval from Rockingham County (at significant expense to Rockingham County), etc. That rezoning and special permit process is underway but is far from being resolved. In fact the infrastructure expense to both Rockingham and Guilford County for this proposed 775 house development at the edge of both counties could prove very expensive to tax payers. Including water line extension, new fire department, widening of Church St. and areas of Hwy 150, plus additional class space in the areas primary, middle and high schools that are currently almost at full capacity.

What is now good for the property owners is that they have a second, eager, alternative buyer, N.C. Depart. of Environment and Natural Resources, willing to pay the full market value as determined to a large extent by Bluegreen's development. So now the property owners have two real buyers in the wing. If all of the hoops that Bluegreen must jump through for this project along the banks of the Haw River are not approved their contract will be terminated. The land owners then will have another fine option.

Also funds for the expansion of the Haw River State Park are of little drain on the State's budget. Money for the huge land acquisition needed for the long term development of the HRSP will likely come from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, supported by a portion of the state's tax on real estate deed transfers. Other funding comes from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund.