[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6607518,"mediaKeyId","2952704-135a52ab5aaec0e65f24e58497c4f3c0","parentId",2952704,"title","Soccer.com complex draws regional tournaments but needs field renovation and parking for expansion, staff says","audioSeconds",887,"startMs",10805831,"endMs",11692875,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952704-135a52ab5aaec0e65f24e58497c4f3c0&start=10805&end=11692","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952704-135a52ab5aaec0e65f24e58497c4f3c0/thumbnail_10805831.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6607518/Orange-County/North-Carolina/Soccercom-complex-draws-regional-tournaments-but-needs-field-renovation-and-parking-for-expansion-staff-says","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607518-3c43af590a974b1eb4e06d2412948799/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205064&Signature=ksbzE5FCkSadimh--9JBYEiVwKq73VyajlTPYxcezyaSHrcqcG0qhrduf7LxzBtswdkNiLa-ljppnfjDNiP2KJ99AePmskeExr-eE3gUUZ-TQ1T7Z4KE~PS4FZ-eoliLEA7gRSyMcEINCSmmEGp5tKKwkEekCXNOo~OIiIYOLZcovljrKNsySuRi9qgqVX8PrJ4ih2T2Cm5WPWSVwwXO0H2ALzo0wg~I7W4kGRPgg8I4hDr~fpWHIyy4LDeIYAgwGeF4l1hP36S0BvpYMe1pnjhsZeBtUfBMqR1zbIQHkX4q6x0f8lvvVl2DCykKK4oNW3YbMDfJECMZiI9dF972kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Orange County","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","Dave Stansell briefed the board on the soccer.com center’s usage, finances and capital needs, telling commissioners the facility continues to attract large regional and national tournaments while also serving regular recreational play.

Stansell said the complex, which opened in 2009 and is co‑located with Gravelly Hill Middle School, has five full‑size Bermuda fields and one practice field and that Sports Endeavors holds the naming rights. He noted staffing and year‑round field maintenance are intensive and that the county renewed a five‑year naming‑rights agreement with Sports Endeavors in 2024. Patrick Nelson and Matthew Peters are two full‑time staff the county assigns to field care.

Stansell walked the board through a five‑year revenue and expenditure summary and explained the COVID‑era seasons (2020–21) reduced revenues while maintenance continued. He also presented a visitors‑bureau estimate showing the girls’ college showcase that used the facility in December generated an estimated $1,300,000 in direct local business sales; other tournaments and special events bring additional regional hotel and restaurant business, he said.

Stansell advised the board the facility is about 15 years old and that scheduled CIP work includes irrigation and field renovation; staff have also acquired adjacent property (2016) intended for a Phase‑2 expansion that would add fields, restroom facilities and much‑needed additional parking and a second entry road. He said there is opportunity to consider synthetic turf for some fields to increase usable hours and revenue per field, but noted tradeoffs such as cost and differing safety/health perspectives.

During discussion commissioners asked about local access, fee structure and whether youth programs face wait lists; staff said youth recreation play is scheduled on weeknights and that wait lists are minimal. The board did not take action on capital funding at the work session; Stansell said staff will include field renovation and expansionary options in CIP planning and explore revenue approaches to offset maintenance costs.

The meeting recessed for about 10 minutes during the soccer center agenda item and later reconvened.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Orange County - BOCC Work Session 20250408 - Apr 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Parks and recreation staff reported sustained demand for the soccer.com sports complex, outlined revenue/expenditure history, noted significant regional economic impacts from tournaments and identified field maintenance and parking as priorities for a planned expansion and CIP work.","taxTitle","Orange County, North Carolina","taxId",3848,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6607521,"Agricultural Preservation Board outlines five‑year farmland stewardship plan to curb farmland loss",3815,3350545,7166345,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952704-135a52ab5aaec0e65f24e58497c4f3c0&start=3350&end=7166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952704-135a52ab5aaec0e65f24e58497c4f3c0/thumbnail_3350545.jpg","/articles/6607521/Orange-County/North-Carolina/Agricultural-Preservation-Board-outlines-fiveyear-farmland-stewardship-plan-to-curb-farmland-loss","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607521-bc0093f5e63f35c4ef393ad7ad9c1b22/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205064&Signature=ioHEpGfcc94RtCHFD0RVthdfMi~-cP7~J1jJQsFs7zLUcnxJUYNUyrFj~oTV49K6NJwPDyBwpfipywCQQlnTDopcXtkBS7GtVAp1jxandmQKdy-GvojkF2j-a8PUNYaxQV6r4HfLPnB3aifoVZGjLkGevY~Td7CROyG3TpXUSLTfildmNiiIgQ-oUK878QJbF9O~vvtDpYskvbWl3bbmgJs0gDkmriTrGQXlW0f4KEWcZdpjBlkeWQbXameu~OAMLKpNPyDE8PjQKBBk5UYY2u4E2QI-V4OkfjdfJnfQFxfrmCR4WjjV~Xg66HvOy3DB6Yfvkiaxa0Sl30niXeyrtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jane Sayers, speaking for the Agricultural Preservation Board, presented a draft Agricultural Viability and Farmland Stewardship Plan and a set of recommendations the board says are designed to be implemented over five years and be updated biennially.

“Sustainable agriculture…uses the resources that we need to farm and live conservingly,” Sayers said, defining sustainable agriculture in the presentation as practices that maintain and enhance soil, water and air while supporting local food systems.

The plan, Sayers said, follows North Carolina statutory guidance for eligibility for state farmland protection funding and updates the county’s 2009 plan. The Agricultural Preservation Board identified three primary goals: (1) plan for agriculture by elevating farmland stewardship in land use decisions; (2) conserve farmland through direct measures such as conservation and working‑lands easements and transition planning; and (3) enhance agricultural economic viability through education, agritourism, wholesale market development and targeted incentives.

Recommendations highlighted in the draft include increasing the rate of lands‑legacy and working‑lands easements, using the county voluntary agricultural district program as a pathway to permanent easements, establishing a farmland stewardship coordinator position on county staff, expanding farmer training and access to wholesale markets (including using food hubs to aggregate product), and exploring funding sources such as deferred tax proceeds when land leaves present‑use valuation. Board members and commissioners probed details on estate and transition planning, how conservation easements are written to allow or restrict agritourism and on the estimated cost to protect priority acres. In discussion, the board noted that protecting roughly 300 acres of high‑priority open space could require millions in public and partner financing; staff pointed to existing Land’s Legacy and conservation easement funds in the CIP as partial sources.

Sayers and Agricultural Preservation Board members told commissioners the plan reflects farmer survey results showing that 40% of farms reported under $2,500 in sales and that only about 30% of producers currently identify farming as their principal source of income. The board asked the county to consider a mix of technical assistance, funding mechanisms and partner coordination to make farmland stewardship measures practical for working farmers. The board will return with a revised plan that incorporates commissioner feedback before asking the county to adopt the plan for state‑program eligibility.","The Agricultural Preservation Board presented a draft Agricultural Viability and Farmland Stewardship Plan that recommends expanding conservation easements, creating a farmland stewardship coordinator role, and supporting farm economic viability through education, aggregation and targeted incentives.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6607526,"County presents strategic‑plan performance measures, sets numeric targets across six goal areas",3539,1950775,5490335,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952704-135a52ab5aaec0e65f24e58497c4f3c0&start=1950&end=5490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952704-135a52ab5aaec0e65f24e58497c4f3c0/thumbnail_1950775.jpg","/articles/6607526/Orange-County/North-Carolina/County-presents-strategicplan-performance-measures-sets-numeric-targets-across-six-goal-areas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607526-8f08741f66197d2fc94008b878c92152/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205064&Signature=aHDS3DdLGn5x8wc-Kw3H4h7QQl4m2dNKsxt6mzCtx5hVJCS-FfNodACvBW-GfiH1OX3TBmlh90bYaQpK7ncsDfNO3tyeVR2l5nxAYB9--aJV-nJga2XoY7y6x6wzpZV0j~K1EWLAfa94TflTX98x22LAahvoRAbQSqKfT8JDLOhXK-231xj92PN~V7A0M81eIvEzxeBvUcq3lYk9xXH8Q7U5NNUBkzWA-bui0IxAQuGsgelmZrs67Z5M1S8402PHo7oE243Nl9zsT1Eqph1B9NbLb3QeYrRrhhhqiCRC9PFRBiUgoI2MAYjvZWdt6oGrtMUny4JKtSb-0XE~urO1JQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kelly Guadalupe, the county’s strategic planning manager, presented a package of 49 draft performance measures the county will use to track progress on six strategic goals adopted in 2024: environmental protection and climate action; healthy community; housing for all; multimodal transportation; public education and learning community; and a diverse and vibrant economy.

“The performance measures will allow for effective tracking of progress toward the strategic goals and ensure that the plan is achieving its intended outcomes,” Guadalupe said, explaining that staff selected targets using industry standards and peer comparisons, developed baseline data where available, and plan to track most measures quarterly with semiannual reports to the board.

Key targets discussed include reducing energy use in county facilities by 10% over the plan period, increasing solar energy generation at county facilities (percentage target in packet), replacing about 75% of routine fleet replacements with electric or alternative fuel vehicles (excluding first‑responder vehicles), and protecting an additional 300 acres of priority open space over five years. Housing measures include a county goal to fund an average of 10 affordable housing units annually and to increase cold‑weather emergency beds by 25%.

Commissioners asked for clarification on baselines and implementation: staff said baselines that are not yet established should be available by the end of the fiscal year and that tracking would begin once baselines are set. Commissioners raised questions about what “sustainable farming” would mean in practice and how to ensure measures produce a measurable return for farmers and for the county. Staff replied that Cooperative Extension programs, local food‑hub partners and grant opportunities would be part of implementation for agricultural targets.

Guadalupe said the measures are intended to be living targets that staff and the board will review and adjust as needed; the Board did not adopt the measures at the work session but provided feedback for staff refinement.","County staff presented 49 draft performance measures tied to six strategic goals, including environmental protection, healthy community, housing, multimodal transportation, public education and a diverse economy; commissioners asked for baselines and implementation detail.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6607531,"Orange County delays third public engagement for Land Use Plan 2050; staff offers two calendars",679,52155,731765,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952704-135a52ab5aaec0e65f24e58497c4f3c0&start=52&end=731","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952704-135a52ab5aaec0e65f24e58497c4f3c0/thumbnail_52155.jpg","/articles/6607531/Orange-County/North-Carolina/Orange-County-delays-third-public-engagement-for-Land-Use-Plan-2050-staff-offers-two-calendars","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607531-6de08285a0b4c51af499c10714912480/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205064&Signature=o7Xr8LS7v3VhLCgm0gg1K3PZnO1P95uHoHnF4zARlb2bLjZKlL8ZB6kL2pT8BqbTH4XmEMc~F1wcRUkv06JzHGY~fwSCqSocolJ~ZtVlQme6GIwJlpBxbdjo5f~dC2dHEFsLFxVxhVkXj7hUQpRRbYrgv~p~SBeO92qL5a1TSILFylnH9gwElzNWVsd66spL99aCU142T122ZG4LTHekcK2Xh4xlbHhD1aobQiuRsI6E5FlKGDFiPNGPHcOQMcvcEIdZU6b~hD8RwSRylP6rl1SXCPWEvoJZMhzaG0vbS5-sMR3iQKCUdWLUuDEAc8x8x0R3TJEhSnPFN9gi7fBpNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tom Altieri, Orange County senior planner, told the Board of County Commissioners on April 8 that the county has postponed the third public engagement window for the Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2050 and temporarily paused Clarion Associates’ contract while staff provides additional information the board requested.

“This item has been put together in response to the board's request for additional information to help inform the land use plan process and decision making,” Altieri said, adding that a fact book and several reports are available on the project website and that staff will return to the board with more targeted materials over several meetings.

Altieri reviewed a packet attachment that lists the additional information the board requested and that staff color‑coded into three groups: yellow items (within planning staff purview and deliverable in weeks), blue items (require interdepartmental coordination and a longer lead time), and red items (outside planning staff purview and likely to require guest speakers and potential financial impacts). He presented two calendar options for proceeding: one that adds meetings between now and mid‑June with community engagement beginning in mid‑August and a second that schedules additional meetings between September and mid‑November with community engagement beginning in mid‑January and a later board checkpoint prior to public hearing.

Board members said they wanted staff to assemble the outstanding information before returning the draft to the public so the board could review answers first and then seek public feedback. Several commissioners asked that staff and consultants be available to explain methodologies behind proposals such as conservation clusters and criteria for locating rural conservation neighborhoods. Planning staff said they have obtained the consultant GIS data and can prepare responses if the board identifies specific questions to be answered.

Altieri also reminded the public that the project resources tab (orangecountylanduseplan.com) contains the fact book (137 pages), engagement summaries, a policy profile, alternatives evaluation, and appendices that include translated comments and survey responses.

The board did not take a formal vote on a calendar at the work session; staff left with direction to schedule meetings and prepare the yellow‑category deliverables for near‑term presentation and to coordinate timing for the blue and red items as needed.","County planning staff postponed community engagement window 3 for the Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2050 and presented two calendar options and a prioritized list of requested follow‑up information to the Board of County Commissioners.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Soccer.com complex draws regional tournaments but needs field renovation and parking for expansion, staff says

Agricultural Preservation Board outlines five‑year farmland stewardship plan to curb farmland loss

County presents strategic‑plan performance measures, sets numeric targets across six goal areas

Orange County delays third public engagement for Land Use Plan 2050; staff offers two calendars