The Alamance-Orange County Line Project: A 161 Year Journey

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Duane Montgomery
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1 The Alamance-Orange County Line Project: A 161 Year Journey Brian Carson Orange County Dennis Lee NC Geodetic Survey Gary Thompson NC Geodetic Survey Bruce Walker Alamance County

4 In the beginning, 3 different county lines. Alamance County Alamance County Orange County Alamance County Orange County Orange County Orange County Version NCGS Version Alamance County Version

5 Why does it matter? Taxes Voting Schools Emergency Services Permits County Services

6 How we got here 1849 Alamance Created Vague description of line Tax collectors made agreements Large lots divided into smaller lots 2008 Both counties agreed to have NCGS resurvey the line

7 Not the first time. Late 1970s Mid 1990s 2003 Judge ruled that USGS line was an accurate depiction on boundary. Mid 2000s 2008 NCGS provided preliminary resurvey

8 NC General Statutes on county boundaries G.S. 153A-17. Existing boundaries. The boundaries of each county shall remain as presently established, until changed in accordance with law. (1973, c. 822, s. 1.) G.S. 153A-18. Uncertain or disputed boundary. Provides directions and procedures for resurveying uncertain or disputed county boundary lines. If adjacent counties along a boundary elect to change the county line from its original location (as defined by law), then ratification by the NC General Assembly is required.

9 G.S. 153A-18(a) Resurvey of an uncertain county line Two or more counties may cause the boundary to be surveyed, marked, and mapped The participating counties may appoint special commissioners to supervise the surveying, marking, and mapping Upon request of each county along the uncertain/ambiguous county line, the NC Geodetic Survey can provide assistance with resurveying the county line.

10 G.S. 153A-18(a) Resurvey of an uncertain county line Each of the participating county s Board of Commissioners must ratify the resurvey with a resolution Each of the participating county s ratification resolution must be referenced on the map of resurvey with the following information: date & minutes page The map of resurvey must be recorded in: Each of the participating county s Register of Deeds office Secretary of State s office

11 Research methods Original legislative descriptions Original surveys or first surveys Subsequent resurveys Historical maps and records of county line Witnesses to county line: Property deed descriptions Historical local witnesses

12 Report of research findings Research discovery information(evidence) Weighting of evidence to determine the best evidence Preliminary map presents the resurvey line using the best evidence of the original location

13 Acceptance or Redefining The participating counties may elect to either: Accept the resurvey line ~ or ~ Redefine the line (change) through legislative process

Mailing address: Questions? Dennis Lee, PLS Office: 919-733-3836 Direct: 919-948-7841 Email: ldennislee@ncdps.gov Note: My email address begins with the letter l as in Lloyd not with the number 1.

14 Mailing address: Questions? Dennis Lee, PLS Office: Direct: Note: My address begins with the letter l as in Lloyd not with the number 1. Building (shipping) address: Dennis Lee, PLS NC Geodetic Survey 4298 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC Dennis Lee, PLS NC Geodetic Survey Bowers Building NC National Guard complex 4105 Reedy Creek Rd Raleigh, NC 27607

15 GIS used as a tool to Took NCGS preliminary resurvey and converted to GIS layer Used this to perform analysis Split parcels Split homes and businesses Location of students Created buffer to capture all possible parcels that might be affected Collected owner s name/address, parcels size Used this data to create initial mailing list (450+ letters) Combined multiple parcels with same owner into single letter

16 Informational Letters and Meeting Informing owners of possible changes to the county line that might affect their property Meeting to inform people of possible change Public feedback

17 Public Feedback Most people wanted to be left alone Letters from attorneys Phone calls from citizens We used GIS to keep track of feedback and requests

18 GIS Criteria Creation Focus was on existing homeowners and businesses and that were reasonably close to the NCGS defined original county line Homes, businesses, and lots* within 150 buffer of NCGS line that would change counties would qualify to petition Unique Natural Features East Cane Creek Peninsula to stay in Orange County The rest of the properties that did not qualify defaulted to NCGS survey (majority vacant) 77% of the recommended line

19 Example 1

20 Example 2

21 Example 3

22 Example 4 Proposed County Boundary Line Placement Choices Petitionable Property Map # O-40-1 HENDERSON FIELD RD HENDERSON FIELD RD MORROW MILL RD MORROW MILL RD Alamance County Orange County Alamance County Orange County NCGS Proposed Line Choice 1 (Deviate from NCGS line) Petitionable Property ² Orange County Planning and Inspections Department July 21, 2010 Not a Survey Choice 2 (Choose not to petition use NCGS line) Petitionable Property

23 4 GIS Categories = 4 Custom Letters Owner s property will not be affected by new line Owner could petition for line modification and they would be responsible for paying for the survey Owner couldn t petition for line modification and property would be split Couldn t petition and property will be changing county jurisdiction Form to allow students to remain in current school district Map show how line would look if they petitioned to resurvey.

25 Feedback from Letters 47/68 current Alamance property owners petitioned to stay in Alamance County and 5 households that did not qualify to petition formally requested to keep their children in their current school. 16/55 current Orange property owners petitioned to stay in Orange County and 11 households that did not qualify to petition formally requested to keep their children in their current school.

26 Two Separate Bills Bill 1 91 % of the line was agreed upon by both counties based on the criteria Bill passed and 91% of line became official in January 2012 Bill 2 Allow the counties 1 year to come to agreement on the final 9% Bill passed and gave counties 1 year to submit the 9% Bill passed and in January % of the line was completed.

27 2008 NCGS Preliminary Line

29 Conclusion 2 Paths to a Permanent Solution Use the NCGS! They are here to help. Questions?

NC General Statutes - Chapter 136 Article 2E 1

NC General Statutes - Chapter 136 Article 2E 1 Article 2E. Transportation Corridor Official Map Act. 136-44.50. Transportation corridor official map act. (a) A transportation corridor official map may be adopted or amended by any of the following: