HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-30-2002 Workshop Session
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MINUTES
Board ojCommissioners Monthly Workshop
Monday, September 30,2002 -7:30 p.m. Town Barn
The Hillsborough Town Board held a Monthly Workshop on September 30,2002 at 7:30 PM in
the Hillsborough Town Barn. Present for the Workshop were Mayor Joe Phelps,
Commissioners Frances Dancy, Evelyn Lloyd, Mike Gering, and Mark Sheridan. Absent was
Commissioner Ken Chavious. Staff present were Town Manager Eric Peterson, Planning
Director Margaret Hauth, Assistant Town Manager/Public Works Director Demetric Potts, and
Town Engineer Kenny Keel.
1. Open the Workshop
Mayor Joe Phelps opened the Workshop at approximately 7:30 PM.
2. Agenda Changes & Agenda Approval
By consensus, the Board approved the printed agenda.
3. Updates from the Mayor & Board on Key CommitteeslIssues
There were no updates.
Town Manager Eric Peterson addressed the Board and requested to be excused from the meeting
early due to a prior appointment. By consensus, the Board authorized the Manager to leave the
meeting early.
Manager Peterson updated the Board on the new "Hillsborough University" voluntary employee-
training program. The first course is at its midpoint and there has been very positive feedback
from employees regarding the program. Peterson presented each Board member with their own
Hillsborough University tee shirt and explained that other than the Board, the only people with
these shirts will have earned them by attending training through this program.
4. HOT TOPIC - Request from Withers & Ravenel to Provide Water & Sewer Service to
the Michael Edwards Tract (formerly known as The Preserve)
Syd Alexander distributed booklets of information on the proposed Pathways Residential
Community. He described the project and a variety of supporting documentation on the project.
He highlighted benefits to the town, county, and school system for approving this project with
town utilities. He added that the utilities are needed to develop the project with the described
benefits. Without utilities, the site will have a lower density and reduced number of dwelling
units and will not be able to generate the revenue and open space expected. The members
discussed issues around the development. They decided to discuss the project with the County
Commissioners and School Board to get an understanding of the issues and importance to this
project to their needs. The members directed staff to schedule a meeting with the county
commissioner after the election but before Thanksgiving to discuss the project. They suggested
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inviting representatives from the school board to understand their interests as well.
5. Discuss the Proposed Waterstone Development
Jack Smyre addressed the board and asked for confIrmation on the I1ext steps. He said it is his
understanding that the traffic impact, school impact, and utility impact information is to be made
available in advance of the next hearing scheduled for October 24. He added that after that
hearing the Board would decide whether they wanted a detailed fiscal analysis of the
development prepared by the applicant and reviewed by staff. The members agreed that those
are the steps they are anticipating. Smyre said they have a meeting scheduled with Stagecoach
Run subdivision to try to address their concerns about access to municipal water and road
connections.
Commissioner Dancy asked if they know the build out time frame yet. Smyre said that it is
unlikely any building would begin before 2004 and it would take at least 10 years, maybe longer
to complete the project.
Commissioner Lloyd asked about phasing the development and reducing the residential further.
She said she wanted to be sure that the non-residential got built. She asked if they would
consider delaying the single-family construction and accept a condition tying the construction of
single family to the completion of non-residential. Smyre expressed concern that such a
condition and delay in the single-family portion of the project might not be fiscally possible. He
noted that is the one guarantees quick-sell in the development and will help reimburse the
developers for the signifIcant costs being incurred.
Commissioner Sheridan asked about the community college portion. He asked how certain they
could be that this site will be selected. Smyre said it is their intent to secure that use. He said the
committee established to select a site is already a little behind on their work and has not
published a set schedule. He added that the additional delay in the town's review has possibly
helped track Waterstone more closely with the site selection so that they can hopefully include a
"short list" selection as evidence that the college is coming before the Town Board makes a final
decision.
Commissioner Gering expressed concern about the residential component. He said it still
encompasses nearly 45% of the land area. He said it needs a greater reduction in both density
and number of units. He also suggested a reduction is the square footage of retail, particularly
large retail. Smyre explained the residential reduction again to clarify what had been removed.
He said they needed clear direction on this issue, since comments from Orange County indicate a
desire to increase the residential density.
Mayor Phelps suggested that the connection to Beckett's Ridge Drive extension may not be
necessary and might help concerns expressed by Beckett's Ridge. Smyre said that connection
was primarily provided for the convenience of Beckett's Ridge residents, not for expected use by
Waterstone residents.
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Commissioner Sheridan also expressed concern about the large-scale retail. He said Hampton
Pointe should be given the opportunity to get up and going before subjected to competition from
Waterstone.
6. Other
There was no other business discussed.
7. Adjourn
Upon a motion by Commissioner Dancy, seconded by Commissioner Sheridan, the Board moved
to Adjourn at approximately 9:30 PM by a vote of 4-0. The motion was declared passed.
(L/~
Respectfully submitted, .
Donna F. Armbrister, CMC
Town Clerk
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