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HomeMy Public PortalAbout10-24-2005 Workshop Meeting Minutes October 24, 2005 Monthly Workshop Page 1 of 6 Minutes Approved: December 14, 2005 MINUTES Board of Commissioners Monthly Workshop Monday, October 24, 2005 – 7:30 p.m. The Town of Hillsborough held its Monthly Workshop on October 24, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the Hillsborough Town Barn. Present for the Workshop were Mayor Joe Phelps, and Commissioners Frances Dancy, Brian Lowen, Eric Hallman, Michael Gering, and Evelyn Lloyd. Staff present were Town Manager Eric Peterson, Assistant Town Manager/Public Works Director Demetric Potts, Planning Director Margaret Hauth, and Town Attorney Bob Hornik. 1. Open the Workshop Mayor Joe Phelps opened the workshop. 2. Agenda Changes & Agenda Approval By consensus, the Board approved the Agenda as presented. 3. Committee Updates and Reports Commissioner Hallman reported that the Parks and Recreation Board would like to come before the Board at their November Workshop. 4. Receive Letter of Interest in Annexation Regarding the Clayton Property (86+/- acres at the Intersection of I-40 and Old NC86) Planning Director Margaret Hauth presented the Letter of Interest for the Board’s consideration. She explained that consistent with the Town’s Annexation Policy, the Board has the opportunity to decline interest or direct staff and the applicant to proceed with the next steps in evaluating the annexation by conducting a fiscal impact analysis. Planning Director Hauth reported that the site is proposing a new driveway connection to Old 86 to access the northeast quadrant which will be accessed via an existing road off Old 86. The Water Capacity Study anticipated 100 dwellings and 100,000 sf of Office-type non-residential use for this property. 7:36:40 PM Jim Parker, Summit Engineering, and Pat Mallett, Elam Todd d’Ambrosi fielded questions from the Board. 1 Minutes October 24, 2005 Monthly Workshop Page 2 of 6 Minutes Approved: December 14, 2005 7:37:02 PM Pat Mallett reported that the homes in this development would be in the $400,000 range. He stated that at this time the developer is only requesting tract A & B (70 acres) be considered for annexation. 7:40:11 PM Commissioner Lloyd stated that she did not want to see all these houses here. She stated she felt the Town had enough houses and was under the impression that this property would be industrial since it is located in the Economic Development District. 7:41:32 PM Jim Parker responded that there is some commercial development proposed for this property. There are some water/sewer easements to be extended and will piggy back on Waterstone’s extensions. It will give the Town the sewer extension across I-40 which is a fairly large expenditure. 7:43:48 PM Commissioner Gering stated that he is also concerned with placing residential development there. He asked what other development uses the developers envisioned on the adjacent properties other than residential since this is the Town’s Economic Development District. 7:44:27 PM Pat Mallett responded that he envisions that this area encapsulates that southern quadrant and forms a transition that could be walkable to an area of equal size along the frontage road that could accommodate employment, non-residential, other mixed uses south of the highway interchange. 7:45:33 PM Commissioner Gering also expressed a concern that the Board had seen no Master Plan. 7:48:06 PM Commissioner Hallman expressed concerns that if industrial development did occur in this area, it would severely affect the residential development. 7:49:35 PM Commissioner Dancy also expressed concerns with the number of roof tops and the Town’s water capacity. She also is concerned with the cost of these homes stating that the Town needs affordable housing. 7:50:59 PM Commissioner Lowen expressed concerns that there is only one way into the development and that Police, Fire, and Rescue would have problems. 7:53:31 PM After some discussion, Commissioners Lloyd, Hallman, and Dancy stated that they would like to deny this annexation as presented. 7:56:32 PM Jim Parker stated that not all projects can be as large as Waterstone, but yet they can be set aside so that they work together with other projects. He informed the Board that he would take their comments back to the developer. 5. Discuss and Receive Additional Information Regarding the Request for Annexation Regarding the Wilkerson Property (Approximately 38 acres on Highway 57) 2 Minutes October 24, 2005 Monthly Workshop Page 3 of 6 Minutes Approved: December 14, 2005 Planning Director Margaret Hauth explained that this Item is a follow-up to the discussion of the Wilkerson Annexation Fiscal Analysis and continued discussions regarding a sewer outfall connection from NC 86 and a joint project with Habitat. 7:59:29 PM Upon a motion by Commissioner Gering, seconded by Commissioner Lowen, the Board moved to request an annexation petition and schedule a hearing at the January Public Hearing by a vote of 5-0. The motion was declared passed. 6. Request from Waste Industries to Increase Rates for Commercial Customers Due to Increases in Landfill Tipping Fees and Fuel 8:33:20 PM Assistant Town Manager/Public Works Director Demetric Potts presented this Item for the Board’s consideration. He reported that Waste Industries is requesting to increase the rates for commercial customers of Hillsborough due to an increase in tipping fees by Orange County from $45 per ton to $46 per ton. This is a 2.2% increase. Waste Industries is requesting the Town Board allow them to pass through to their Hillsborough commercial customers. Additionally, Waste Industries is requesting authorization to apply an oil/energy surcharge to the next monthly invoice for the Town of Hillsborough commercial customers. This surcharge would be 3% of each invoice amounting to a .34 to $5.81 increase depending on the service level on a per month basis. 8:38:03 PM Bill Davidson, Waste Industries, reported that Mike Ingold told the Board that the rate would be held flat, he was speaking of there being no Consumer Price Index increase. This is not a CPI increase, but rather a fuel cost increase. He assured the Board there would be no CPI in January 2006. 8:40:18 PM After much discussion, Commissioner Lowen suggested they bring back a revised matrix showing how much of their cost is actually fuel to the November meeting to be considered. 8:51:25 PM Commissioner Gering expressed his concerns regarding the contracting process of awarding contracts to the lowest bidder in general. 8:59:22 PM Town Attorney Bob Hornik clarified that the Board is requesting Waste Industries provide information on how the fuel cost component goes into computing the expense. Bill Davidson stated that Waste Industries will take the fuel charge back off if fuel costs return to $2.20/gallon. 7. Update from Commissioner Hallman on Transportation Advisory Committee Issues 9:03:16 PM Commissioner Hallman reported that the 2006-2012 State Transportation Improvement Plan was turned down. They are anticipating a 24% increase in population in the next 5 years and no major road projects will be completed in that timeframe so we will be faced with significant traffic problems. 3 Minutes October 24, 2005 Monthly Workshop Page 4 of 6 Minutes Approved: December 14, 2005 If we don’t reduce our ozone emissions, we risk moratoria on our Economic Development and will lose federal highway funding. 8. Update from Planning Director on Current Prioritization of Planning-Related Directives 9:21:40 PM Planning Director Margaret Hauth reported on her proposed work plan adjustment to accommodate Operational Analysis of the Planning Department. Commissioner Hallman stated that he would like to see an ongoing list of the directives the Board has given to the Planning Department so they will know when they issue another one, that something else may have to be prioritized. Town Manager Eric Peterson stated that Margaret has adjusted her monthly report to include such a listing. Commissioner Hallman stated that maybe the Board needs to review that list to see if there is anything there that can be shifted in priority. After some discussion, the Board agreed that it would be good for Margaret to report on these items at each meeting to allow the Board to review those directives priorities. Commissioner Gering suggested utilizing some outside consultants to provide detailed review and feedback analysis on some projects such as Ashton Hall. He stated that he thought the Town could benefit from their expertise. Town Manager Eric Peterson stated that staff could look into how much of an expense this would entail and report back to the Board. Commissioner Lloyd expressed her concerns of conflicts of interest if consultants are used. Commissioner Dancy stated that she feels that in order to improve the situation, the Board needs to slow down everything and get the Strategic Growth Plan together because the Board is actually limiting themselves by not having the plan in place. She feels that developers are trying to get in the process before the plan is adopted. She would like for the Board to agree not to look at any more developments for awhile until it is established exactly how, when, and where the Board wants the Town to grow. Commissioner Lowen stated that he also would like to see the Strategic Growth Plan in place first and then we may find that a consultant may not be needed. He would like to see the Town utilize the existing Planning Department staff which is small and make the best of it and if that doesn’t work, we look at obtaining staff that can give Margaret Hauth the assistance that she needs. 4 Minutes October 24, 2005 Monthly Workshop Page 5 of 6 Minutes Approved: December 14, 2005 Commissioner Lloyd agreed that the Town should stop where we are in considering development and get the Strategic Growth Plan in place. She stated that she agrees with Commissioners Dancy and Lowen. Commissioner Gering stated that the Town can’t just stop: Waterstone and Hampton Pointe are approved projects and have to proceed. Commissioner Hallman agreed that the Town can’t stop and stated that he doesn’t feel that we are throwing adequate resources against it to get the best product. Commissioner Dancy stated that she was only suggesting that the Board not consider any additional new development projects until the Strategic Growth Plan is approved. Town Attorney Bob Hornik outlined the parameters by which the Board could establish a moratorium on development if that is what the Board chooses to do. Commissioner Gering stated that he did not want to see the Habitat project and the HUD 202 application stopped. Commissioner Hallman asked if a moratorium for 2-3 months would have much of an impact. Planning Director Hauth stated that 2-3 months would not have significant impact but if the moratorium were in place until the Strategic Growth Plan was adopted it would have a huge impact and really make the Strategic Growth Plan worth doing. Commissioner Hallman stated that he was convinced. Commissioner Lowen asked how long it is estimated to take for the development and adoption of the Strategic Growth Plan. Planning Director Hauth indicated that the Board would be looking at approximately a year. By consensus, the Board agreed to continue this discussion and look at further options at their next meeting. 9. Update on Two Town Vacancies on the Orange County Solid Waste Advisory Board 10:02:20 PM Town Manager Eric Peterson reported that there are two Town Vacancies on the Orange County Solid Waste Advisory Board. One of these vacancies is the seat that Remus Smith has held and his terms statute of limitations has run out. This will be an agenda item for your next meeting. 10. Other There was no further discussion. 5 Minutes October 24, 2005 Monthly Workshop Page 6 of 6 Minutes Approved: December 14, 2005 11. Adjourn 10:06:33 PM Upon a motion by Commissioner Gering, seconded by Commissioner Dancy, the Board moved to adjourn at 10:33 PM by a vote of 5-0. The motion was declared passed. Respectfully submitted, Donna F. Armbrister, CMC Town Clerk 6