5312 Guess Rd. Rougemont, NC (Orange County)

[Tammy Smith]

Recently, the land/home at 5312 Guess Rd. has been sold and the new owners have clear cut a lot of the mature trees and underbrush from the land.  I’ve requested septic records as it looks as if initially the septic was approved for only 2 bedrooms and then several years later an improvement permit for a 3 bedroom was applied for but I cannot tell if that improvement was completed.  I’d also like to know if there was a repair area marked in case of septic failure.

With the clear cutting and what we as neighbors have been told, my concerns are below:

 

1. Clearcutting / tree removal — the loss of mature trees and ground cover.
2. Increased runoff & erosion — greater sediment flow to nearby property, ponds and ditches.
3. Impact to farm water sources — ponds used by neighboring farms and other private wells may be affected.
4. Septic capacity & records — county files show a 2-bedroom system (1998) and a later improvement permit for 3 bedrooms; unclear if upgrade/repair area exists and according to a new permit for a temporary tent that holds 600 people, environmental and waste water is a real concern.
5. Temporary tent permits — two permits shown; one permit lists a tent for 600 people — raises questions about whether this is one tent or two, and how capacity was calculated.
6. Public safety / traffic / parking — narrow rural roads, no turn lane or widened access, parking spilling onto roads, neighboring private property and side streets.
7. Noise, trespass & trash — parties/gatherings can create persistent nuisances and property damage, and have an insufficient parking plan.
8. Potential permanent development — concern that temporary tents/events may lead to building a permanent religious facility without adequate study.
9. Environmental/water quality-Contamination risks to ponds and wells from increased septic load and any runoff from trash, sediment into waterways harming aquatic life and downstream properties
10. Loss of wildlife habitat and tree canopy (stormwater buffering, bird/animal corridors).
11. Public health and safety- Crowd control, security, and risk of injury in an informal event setting. Fire safety for large tents (exits, fire suppression, clearance from brush). Sanitation: portable toilets, handwashing stations, and solid waste removal plan. Crowd control, security, and risk of injury.
12. Regulatory and Administrative- Who monitors compliance?  They are working on weekends to possibly avoid the county checking on violations. Is there any required public notice or hearing for future permanent uses?
13. Property values- Potential negative impacts on neighboring property values and insurance risk from repeated large events.

I’ve requested the septic records on file.  Has there been a soil test done to make sure a temporary or permanent structure will not overwhelm a septic system or ground water? Is there an erosion and sediment control plan? Are there any conditional use permits/zoning approvals in the works?  Have there been any traffic studies or parking plan supporting the amount of people and cars they are building for?  Have they requested for 2 tents holding 600 people each? I would like that no permit be approved until septic capacity is verified, a traffic and emergency access plan is produced, and an erosion/stormwater migration plan is in place.

 

I appreciate your time and attention to this matter.

Turning keys into closings with care and confidence,

\	Tammy Bordeaux Smith Broker, REALTOR®, GRI, SPS, SRES, ABR NCREC #248146 Bordeaux Smith Realty, LLC   p: 919-215-1532 e: ta...@bordeauxsmith.com  w: www.bordeauxsmith.com

 

[Travis Myren]

Thank you for your email.  I will work with the Planning Department and the Health Department on a coordinated response.  Given the holiday, I would expect to have something next week.

 

 

Travis Myren

County Manager

O:  919-245-2308  M:  608-345-1526

tmy...@orangecountync.gov

 

 

 

 

From: Tammy Smith <ta...@bordeauxsmith.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2025 3:57 PM
To: Jennifer Geda <jg...@orangecountync.gov>; Emily Satterfield <esatte...@orangecountync.gov>; Robert Alcorn <ral...@orangecountync.gov>; Steve Kaltenbach <skalt...@orangecountync.gov>; Cy Stober <cst...@orangecountync.gov>; vhu...@orangecountync.gov; Tracey Langley <tlan...@orangecountync.gov>; ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: Tammy Smith <ta...@bordeauxsmith.com>
Subject: 5312 Guess Rd. Rougemont, NC (Orange County)
Importance: High

 

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[Tammy Smith]

Thank you for the prompt reply. Enjoy your Thanksgiving! 

Regards,

Tammy Bordeaux Smith Broker/REALTOR® [NCREC #248146]

Bordeaux Smith Realty, LLC   p: 919-215-1532 e: ta...@bordeauxsmith.com w: www.bordeauxsmith.com

 

On Nov 26, 2025, at 9:27 AM, Travis Myren <tmy...@orangecountync.gov> wrote:



Thank you for your email.  I will work with the Planning Department and the Health Department on a coordinated response.  Given the holiday, I would expect to have something next week.

 

 

Travis Myren

County Manager

O:  919-245-2308  M:  608-345-1526

tmy...@orangecountync.gov

 

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