HomeMy Public PortalAbout07-28-1998 Joint Public Hearing
.SENT:
PUBLIC:
ITEM #1:
.
ITEM #2:
ITEM #3a:
.
ITEM #3b:
MINUTES
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING
July 28, 1998
472
Mayor Horace Johnson, Richard Simpson, Evelyn Lloyd, Catherine Martin, Frances Dancy, Ken
Chavious, Richard Bradford, Joel Brinkley, Ed Gill, Chris Quinn, John Taylor
Myron Martin, Michael Erickson, Russell Knop, Tony Gaffey, Rob Weintraub, Anita and Peter
Langan, Bonnie Gates, Jim Hopper, Charles Davis, Jonathan Butler, Eric Peterson, Margaret Hauth
Mayor Johnson called the Town Board annexation public hearing to order and called upon speakers
in the order they signed up. M. Martin spoke as president of the Wildwood Homeowners
Association. He noted that the residents' primary concern is that no additional storm run-off flow
into their existing subdivision. He noted that this development is close to the ridge and if water is
routed toward the railroad, it may back up into Wildwood. Erickson spoke regarding native
vegetation on the site. He noted that he has hiked this and other areas and is very familiar with
species indigenous to North Carolina. He noted that there are wild native orchids (pink lady slipper
and lily-leaved twayblade)on the property and asked about the possibility of preserving the habitat
as the Piedmont is a very unusual place to find these species. Russell Knop noted that his concerns
as a property owner are water run-off and additional traffic.
Gaffey spoke on behalf of the project. He noted that Centex, the developers have already been in
contact with the Town Engineer and the railroad regarding stormwater. He noted that state and local
requirements specify that there will be no increased runoff from development. He added that they
are working with the Town and NCDOT about road access and improvements that will be needed.
Rob Weintraub, development manager with Centex, offered to answer any further questions.
Mayor Johnson closed the Town Board public hearing and called the joint public hearing to order.
He passed the gavel to Planning Board chair John Taylor who briefly explained the hearing process.
Hauth introduced the Centex zoning proposal for the property under consideration for annexation.
She noted the developer requested the joint hearing as the requested zoning is critical to their
continued interest in annexation. She indicated the parcel on the map and noted the zoning on
surrounding properties. Mayor Johnson asked Gaffey to confirm the use of Mill Stone Drive and
the signal at Oakdale Drive as a secondary access. Gaffey said their are currently negotiating with
the property owner to accomplish a secondary access. P. Langan asked about access into Wildwood.
Hauth said that is not being suggested. A Fargo Road resident asked about perimeter buffered
between this development and surrounding lots. Hauth said that due to the difference in lot size
there would be a buffered required on the order of 20'-50' in width. M. Martin asked how close to
the ridge houses would be built. Weintraub said that detailed planning has not been done yet since
they were not sure the project would move forward. A Langan asked how this property could be
annexed, surrounding Wildwood, and Wildwood not be annexed. Hauth explained that annexations
are most often done on a voluntary basis, i.e. the property owner requests the town annex them. She
noted that Wildwood could petition the town for annexation and they would be considered the same
as any other proposal. The town also can annex property without the owner's permission.
Involuntary annexations require significant background studies, public input, and take about 1 12
years to process. She noted that the town generally doesn't pursue involuntary annexations unless
there is a financial benefit to the town.
Hauth introduced the rezoning request for the property known as Hampton Pointe. She described
the differences between the two categories and noted the recent press coverage of the request. She
noted that no specific plan was included with the request and any stated intentions should not be
.
ITEM #3c:
ITEM #4:
.
.
473 JPH
7/28/98, page 2
considered in the boards' deliberations. She noted zonings cannot be contingent on specific
development plans. M Martin noted his concern about traffic increasing on NC 86. P Langan
echoed his concern noting the 240 houses Centex is proposing and possibly 200 employees in the
proposed development. Hauth explained that at this stage, possible improvements to NC 86 cannot
be guessed at. She noted that NCDOT will have to approve every driveway cut to NC 86 and both
the town and DOT have the ability to require improvements. She added that a traffic impact study
will most likely be required for the development. M Martin asked if the study would include the
intersection with Old 10. Hauth said it may. The resident from Fargo Road asked if improvements
are expected on both 86s, given the two developments together. Hauth said that would be a
reasonable expectation. Langan asked why improvements wouldn't extend to New Hope Church
Road. Taylor noted that projects of that scope are the purview of DOT, not individual developments.
Hauth introduced the Tredmont request to rezone 5 acres recently purchased from the Exchange Club
from 01 to AR to allow them to buffer their current operation. Brinkley asked if a new CUP would
be needed ifthey chose to mine the site. Hauth said an amendment at least would be needed. Hester
thanked the boards for their consideration ofthe request. Mayor Johnson thanked the family for their
previous donations of property to the town to facilitate Occoneechee Mountain Park.
Hauth introduced the proposed Subdivision Regulation amendment to require sidewalks in all new
subdivisions. She noted there are provisions for alternatives to standard sidewalks. Simpson asked
what the Town Board's authority with the regard to this requirement is. Hauth said the Board could
require exactly what the ordinance does, or make special exceptions in unique cases for more or less
stringent requirements. Gill asked about ownership and maintenance by homeowners associations.
Hauth said that would be required for developments outside city limits as the town will not accept
dedication ofthose improvements. Inside the city it will be at the Board's discretion whether they
choose to accept maintenance responsibility. M Martin asked the members to consider the ever-
increasing cost of association dues and the additional cost this could put on the homeowner.
Taylor closed the public hearing and returned the gavel to Mayor Johnson. He adjourned the
meeting at 7:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,