The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My Public Portal About04-28-1998 Joint Public Hearing 'ESENT: PUBLIC: ITEM #1: ITEM #2: eM #3: ~ 388 MINUTES JOINT PUBLIC HEARING April 28, 1998 Mayor Horace Johnson, Prances Dancy, Eve]yn Lloyd, Catherine Martin, Ken Chavious, John Tay]or (PB chair), Richard Bradford, Joel Brinkley, David Daniel, Ed Gill, Jack Hughes, Louise Long, Chris Quinn, George Sagar Roger Stephens, Bonnie Gates, Kevin & Kimberly Moore, Mark O'Neal, Eric Peterson, Margaret Hauth Mayor Johnson called the Town Board public hearing on a proposed annexation to order at 7:05 PM. Hauth described the Hines Liner tract which has requested voluntary contiguous annexation and she indicated its location on the map. She noted the owners want the tract to maintain its industrial zoning, but that will be handled at a future meeting. O'Neal, representative of the owner said they are seeking to come under one jurisdiction and would prefer to be in the town. He noted that the addition of this tract to town seems to be logical, as it fills a gap between Cornerstone Park and Meadow]ands. Mayor Johnson closed the annexation public hearing and called the quarterly joint public hearing to order. He passed the gave] to Plarming Board Chair Taylor, who briefly highlighted the items on the agenda. , Hauth introduced the Stephens rezoning request to rezone 34 acres north of Old Mill Business Park and south of Interstate 85 from EDD-primary to EDD-secondary. She noted the change will still allow office uses to develop, but would also allow singles family and multi-family developments on the tract. Mayor Johnson asked how the property would be accessed. Hauth said the parcel is currently land-locked, but as part of the approval of the Old Mill, a road is to be built heading north from Millstone and connecting to this property, providing access. Additionally, right-of-way was required as part of the subdivision to extend Oakdale Drive through Old Mill. If that extension was created, traffic would access Old 86 via Oakdale Drive rather than Millstone Drive. Hauth added that Stephens has provided the necessary right-of-way to build Oakdale Drive extension, but the street crosses NCDOT property and is blocked by a fence and equipment. Since Oakdale Drive has been removed from the Town's Transportation Plan, it would need to be put back before the town could request construction of the road. Martin confinned that the construction of Oakdale Drive extension would not be the only source of access for this property. Hauth highlighted the traffic pattern that has currently been approved, using the to-be-constructed street and Millstone Drive. Stephens spoke on behalf of himself and partner Gates. He said the property is a little too hilly for commercial and office development and they would like the flexibility to build residential. He added development of this tract is a future plan and not an immediate plan as sewer will be needed to develop the tract effectively. He added that the traffic generated by a residential development on 34 acres would not be significantly different than that of an office/service development which he already has approval to develop. He noted his support for the EDD concept, but noted that sewer is necessary for it to function fully and as intended. Kevin Moore asked whether the rezoning wOllld impact his property or a piece between his current building and the 34 acres. Hauth continned that those properties would not be impacted. He asked whether the intervening lot can currently be used or whether the to-be-constructed road needs to be . ITEM #4: . ITEM #5: , 389 IPH 4/28/98, page 2 in place. Hauth said that if Moore were to purchase the lot and combine it with his existing lot, he could develop it now, using his access to Millstone. If he doesn't combine it with a lot with frontage, the development of the tract must wait for the road to be built. Hauth introduced the proposed text amendments to allow off-premises signs in certain circumstances. She noted the major changes from last hearing are the reduced size and reduced height. She noted that the Planning Board is sponsoring this amendment for hearing purposes, as the original request from Holiday Inn Express was denied. Hauth added that the person with Ho]iday Inn which was working with the Planning Board is no longer with the company and that Hauth did inform the manager of the hearing and proposal. Chavious asked what would happen to the third business who wanted a sign at an intersection. Hauth said they would have to reach an agreement with one of the other two sign owners to locate on their sign. He noted his concern about this and asked about ways to guarantee signage is available. Hauth said there is not a way to do that, outside the Town owning and maintaining the sign. Hughes noted that while the Planning Board sponsored the amendment for hearing, there is not strong support on the Board for the concept if it were not for the hotel use involved. Mayor Johnson suggested naming the area as a single development and allowing the development a sign on the corner and a logo sign closer to the businesses. Sagar noted that it would be helpful to know just how many businesses may be developed at the sites where these signs are being allowed. Hauth said it could be anywhere from 1-28, since there's about 7 acres beyond Holiday Inn which could be developed. Sagar noted that if that many can be built, off-premise signs won't be ne~ded because the area will have sufficient traffic. He added that the problem right now is the relative isolation of the businesses on that street. O'Neal spoke as a commercial realtor and President of the Chamber of Commerce. He noted that the owners probably did not realize how hidden their site would be. He urged the members to find a way to allow this sign as a special exception rather than with a text amendment which would allow further signs. O'Neal said his rule of thumb for a desirable location is the ability to give directions by phone in 15 seconds, which the Holiday Inn can do. He noted the Chamber does not support off- premises signs in the Historic District. Stephens spoke as the "third business" that Chavious mentioned. He noted that he is building between McDona]d's and Holiday Inn and will also be interested in a sign on Churton Street. Taylor noted that if his building has multiple tenants, he will not quality for a sign. Stephens noted the difficulty that current owners in Old Mill have do to the lack of signage on Churton Street. Kevin Moore agreed with Stephens. As an owner in Old Mill, he routinely hears from customers "1 didn't know you were back here." He asked the members to consider the request. Chavious suggested the PIanning Board continue working on this issue and that Hauth try and provide the type of information Sagar requested. Tay]or closed the public hearing and returned the gavel to Mayor Johnson. He adjourned the meeting at 7:55 PM. Respectfully submitted,