Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout10.24.1995 Joint Public Hearinggown AGENDA PUBLIC HEARING HILLSBOROUGH TOWN BOARD AND PLANNING BOARD Tuesday, October 24, 1995 7:00 pm, Superior Court Room, O.C. Courthouse ITEM #1: Comments from the Chair. ITEM #2: Rezoning Request a) Daniel Boone Companies to rezone 83.67 ac on both sides of South Churton St. from GC to HIC. This includes Daniel Boone Village, Boone Square, the ice rink, and the Pizza Hut/Steakhouse lots (TM 4.40.A.33,33a,33d and 4.38.E.6). b) Wildwood Corporation to rezone 58.18 ac on the west side of NC 86 from GC to HIC. This property has been referred to as Hampton Pointe (TM 4.45..4c). ITEM #3: Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments (approx. 7:15) a) Amend Section 25 to define the following uses: convenience store, motor vehicle fuel station, motor vehicle maintenance and service, motor vehicle repair, and personal vehicle sales. b) Amend Section 3.4 and 4 to permit the uses above in GC and HIC districts and to establish application requirements for conditional uses. c) Add Section 7.2.3 to establish a procedure for the Board of Adjustment to allow reductions in the interstate buffer. —� ala„r:-.' 'hoard excascc� ITEM #4: Transportation Plan (approx. 7:30 pm) ITEM #5: Close Public Hearing ITEM #6: Adjourn 101 East Orange Street 0 P.O. Box 429 a Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278 919-732-2104 • Fax: 919-644-2390 MINUTES JOINT PUBLIC HEARING October 24, 1995 PRESENT: Mayor Horace Johnson, Allen Lloyd, Evelyn Lloyd, Catherine Martin, Richard Simpson, Remus Smith, Wendy Olson (PB chair), Richard Bradford, Ed Gill, Chris Quinn, George Sagar, Doreen Tuell PUBLIC: Jim Hopper, Dale Brown, Delmar Brown, Graham Bennett, Ernie Rhymer, Jerry Bailey, Eric Swanson, Paul Koch, Slade McCalip, Margaret Hauth. About 100 additional citizens attended. ITEM #1: Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order and passed the gavel to Planning Board Chair Olson. She explained the basic hearing process. ITEM #2a: Hauth introduced the Daniel Boone Company rezoning request. She said it involves 4 lots, shown on the overhead, each is currently zoned GC and is requesting HIC. There were no public comments. ITEM #2b: Hauth introduced the Wildwood Company rezoning request. She noted where the lot is on the overhead. Myron Martin, Wildwood resident, spoke in opposition to the proposal. He said there are serious traffic problems existing on NC 86 now, with the truck stop and uses which generate more traffic are not needed. He explained the difficulties created by the turning trucks and the unpaved lot. He also said that development here would encourage the construction of Oakdale Drive extension, which cuts through Wildwood. Don Webster, Wildwood resident, spoke in opposition. He also noted the slow moving traffic created by turning trucks and the narrow railroad overpass as dangers existing. Tom Marin, Wildwood resident, spoke in opposition. He said the high intensity uses are in conflict with the residential area to the south, namely Wildwood. Peter Langan, Wildwood homeowners association president, spoke in opposition, He said the land in this area has a very high water table and that further development above Wildwood will worsen their existing stormwater problems. He spoke in favor of using this area to connect Oakdale Drive extension, creating a service road for I-85 between the 86s. Tom Greg, Wildwood resident, spoke in opposition. He noted that the soils in the area are not suited to intense development and the development of the site will negatively impact Wildwood. Leigh Peak, Wildwood resident, spoke in opposition. She said higher intensity development so nearby will negatively impact the 170 families who live in Wildwood. Jean Wakefield, Wildwood resident, spoke in opposition, she asked why the Wildwood streets are not shown on the map again and how something can be reviewed outside of its context. Ms Lunsford, NC 86 resident, spoke in opposition. She said the 3 houses adjacent to the property are strongly opposed it the rezoning. Mr. Gabriel spoke in opposition to the request. Hopper, owner's representative, spoke on behalf of the request. He apologized for coming in late. He said the property is currently on the market and the HIC zoning makes it more appealing because of the flexibility of uses it allows. He said there are no specific plans for the site and asked for the boards' support. ITEM #3a&b: Hauth introduced the text amendments which update the definitions of convenience store, motor vehicle fuel station, motor vehicle maintenance and service stations, motor vehicle repair, and personal vehicle sales. Without reading the definitions, she explained briefly the JPH 10/24/95, page 2 differences between the definitions. Hauth also indicated in which districts the uses would be permitted and described the conditional use permit requirements. She noted that the requirement about architectural should be removed, on the town attorney's advice and that the driveway section needs to be more clear. Dale Brown spoke in favor of the amendments. He said that provide acceptable limitations on the properties owned by his father as well as other local businesses. He thanked the Planning and Town Boards for their cooperation and assistance. ITEM #3c: Hauth introduced a text amendment which would allow reductions to the interstate buffer in certain circumstances. She said the amendment sets up application requirements and allows the Board of Adjustment to consider the request. She added that Quality Oil approached the Planning Board about the amendment and the board agreed to sponsor it. Bennett spoke on behalf of Quality Oil and in favor of the amendment. He said the company has plans to renovate the site, which includes a new building, but flexibility with the buffer is necessary. He added that there has been very strong local support for the Bailey family and Quality Oil is making every effort to keep a service station as part of the plan. He noted that roughly one half of the site would need to be set aside as buffer under the existing regulations. Anita Langan spoke against the amendment saying that another convenience store is not needed and that the service station should stay as it is. Norma White spoke against the amendment. She said the design could be accommodated on the site and outside the buffers and that the maintenance of the buffer is part of a joint commitment made by the town and county to area residents. Myron Martin spoke in favor of keeping the Baileys on site. Ernie Rhymer, Quality Oil, said that the proposed new site plan, even with the buffer encroachment would improve the attractiveness of the site. ITEM #4: Olson closed the public hearing and returned the gavel to Mayor Johnson. He called for a brief recess, after which the Town Board would convene the continued transportation public hearing. Mayor Johnson called the Transportation Plan Hearing to order and asked staff to briefly explain the difference between a transportation plan and a transportation priority list. Hauth explained that a transportation plan is a long range planning document that includes roads, bicycle, pedestrian, and transit elements. The plan looks 20 or more years into the future and lists all of the predicted transportation improvements that may be needed in that time period. The transportation priority list is an annual request to NCDOT selecting projects in a transportation plan for funding through the state Transportation Improvements Program. She added that TIP projects have to be part of an adopted transportation plan to receive state funds. Mike Drowns, chair of the transportation task force, spoke on behalf of the committee and explained their goal for the plan and their charge. He said the committee agreed to the goal of a safe, efficient, and environmentally sensitive transportation system for the town of Hillsborough. He added that many members perceived their charge as addressing the traffic congestion on Churton Street. Drowns said that the committee agreed to the 10 vote minimum for projects to be recommended, but that they also felt public comment on all of the projects would be desirable. Mayor Johnson addressed the audience and asked those who have spoken before to not speak again, unless they have new information to add. He also said that those who have not spoken before would be allowed to speak first. Mayor Johnson called the speakers in the order in which they signed to speak. JPH 10/24/95, page 3 Oakdale Drive Extension Tom Gray (Alexander Stewart Dr) spoke, reading letters of opposition from AnnMarie Gray and Betsy Knop, who were unable to attend the hearing. Gray asked if there is a way for out of town residents to be involved in town decisions that affect them. Hauth explained the extraterritorial representation on the Planning and Adjustment boards and said she would send agendas to the homeowners association, if they were desired. Gray said the agendas would be appreciated and thanked the board for their time. Tina Adams (Alexander Stewart Dr) spoke in opposition and introduced her two teenage children. She said the road would bring physical injury to children and other residents. She said she wanted the board members to see their faces and realize the public would hold the board responsible for deaths resulting from the road extension. Scott Todd (Alexander Stewart Dr) spoke in opposition. He said the extension would increase traffic at a high speed on existing narrow streets. He said the road would split the existing neighborhood, increase crime in the area. He cited these all as negatives. Positives for this road are none. Linda White (Alexander Stewart Dr) spoke in opposition. She said if the road or rezoning are approved she will be surrounded by things she did not expect when she purchased the house. She said numerous children in the development enjoy the surrounding natural areas that would destroyed with either proposal. She also described water problems with her lot and continuing construction of utilities in the area. She asked to simply be left alone. David Hunt (Alexander Stewart Dr) spoke against the extension. He said the only thing he had to say for his daughter is that since the last hearing the road has not been constructed and her dog is still alive. Myron Martin said that when he was on the town Planning Board, they were proud of their protection of neighborhoods. He said he did not understand how this extension showed up on the map. He added that both Orange County and NCDOT will hear from the residents too. Leigh Peak spoke in opposition, noting law research she has recently done. She said that North Carolina law prohibits a lower land owner from backing water up onto higher land. She added that if the road is built, the water problems will become worse. She noted that the home owners will not be able to meet the requirements for a class action suit, and each will be forced to individually sue Southern Railroad for the water back up. She asked the town board to protect the "little guy" from having to file so many suits. Peter Langan said he doubted whether any task force members visited Wildwood before voting on the road. He said Orange County also must improve their codes to correct the problem existing in Wildwood. Phyllis Archer asked why the streets in Wildwood or the subdivision in general were not included in the maps presented by NCDOT at the last meeting or those used to indicate the location of the rezoning request. She said Wildwood is currently a closed community, with very little crime. She said opening up the community will increase crime, as can be seen in developments in places like Houston, which are now closing one entrance. Archer asked if the Wildwood residents could stand together to show the members how many are present. Mayor Johnson said they could stand as they leave. Old 10/Lawrence Road alignment John Hartwell (Lawrence Rd) spoke and noted the similarity of this plan with the one done in the 1980s. He spoke in support of the inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian elements. He said that in the long term he believes more people will be bicycling. In relation to Lawrence Rd, he and his neighbors are willing to accept their fair share of traffic but they would be opposed to the use of Lawrence Road as a truck bypass. He added that the improvement of Lawrence Road would provide access to one of the proposed landfill sites which is currently not easily accessible from the southern end of the county. Steve Price spoke in opposition. He said diverting traffic from NC 86 to Lawrence Road is not appropriate. Lawrence Road is predominately residentially developed. JPH 10/24/95, page 4 Elizabeth Brady Road extension Norma White spoke on behalf of the Orange County Preservation Commission. The Commission's mission is to identify, record and protect the historic buildings in Orange County, both the humble and the elegant. This charge includes landscapes and historic roadbeds. She said the commission wants to go on record in opposition to the extension of Elizabeth Brady Road. She said the opposition is based on the impact on the Ayr Mount site, including its viewshed and its impact on the Eno River Valley basin. Two great treasures of Hillsborough. Dwight Morris, business owner on Brady Road, spoke with concerns about the road. He said he has recently purchased a building on Brady Road to expand his business. He said he has looked at the proposed corridor for the road significantly impacts is site. He said it removes almost all of his existing parking and makes the site very difficult to continue to use and impossible to expand. Crufurd Goodwin (St. Marys Rd) spoke in opposition, emphasizing 3 points. He said the greenway created by the river going through town should not be ruined by a road crossing. He added that this road is meant to only solve Durham's traffic problems, not Hillsborough's and that this road is too close to truly function as a bypass. Cathleen Turner acknowledged the traffic congestion in Hillsborough, but also expressed concern about the natural environment will impact. She also expressed concern about the impact of this bypass on the future of St. Marys Road as well. Bill Crowther noted his concern for this route providing relief to Durham. He said he resented NCDOT building a model of a route not recommended by the committee. He said the focus and life blood of the town is the river and this road ruins the tremendous resource. Cy Hogue spoke against the proposal, noting significant impacts of constricting the floodplain. He said there are 7 existing bridges across the river and that is a significant intrusion into the river valley. This road will destroy the park possibilities discussed earlier. He explained different traffic patterns and said future development patterns do not support the use of Brady as a bypass. Ken McFarland spoke in opposition. He said Hillsborough has an enviable number of natural and historic resources. He said Ayr Mount is the crown jewel so to speak and is greatly increasing the name recognition for Hillsborough throughout the nation. He said this resource must be protected rather than winging the goose that lays the golden egg. John Kennedy said that traffic on Churton Street is not the town's biggest problem. He said the problem is doing what is best for the entire town, and Brady Road, which is the quick solution, is not the wise solution. He said the current plans for the local river valley is equal to Central Park for New York City. He encouraged the Hillsborough Town Board to be a stubborn about crossing the river again as the New York City Council was about protecting Central Park. Mike Drowns spoke in favor of Brady Road. He said crossing the Eno River is inevitable. He said the current 70 bypass bridge does not seem to bother the wildlife in the area. He said a pedestal bridge crossing to the east is the least damaging to the environment as well as being the most direct and least expensive. He explained why a western route is not as desirable to travelers. He asked whether it is fair to sacrifice the entire downtown for one house. He said the impact of Churton Street traffic will be felt by all in 10 more years. He added that with proper design, Ayr Mount can be protected. He used the example of Monticello as a historic site within site of major roads. He added that no matter where a bypass is built, someone will be impacted and other routes have much greater impact on people's everyday life than Brady Road. He also discounted the use of Brady by Durham and Treyburn traffic due to costs in Durham. Scott Ray spoke in favor of Brady Road. He read over a list of advantages and disadvantages for Brady Road prepared by property owners along Lawrence Road. He asked the board members to support Brady Road so that this discussion would not have to be held again when his generation inherits these concerns. He asked that the removal of Brady Road also include the removal of any other eastern bypass. LawrenceBaldwin Rd alignment Northside Drive no comments JPH 10/24/95, page 5 Western Bypass Jane Gaity spoke in support of the Western Bypass. She said that NCDOT must have built the model of Brady Road so that everyone could see what a horrible mistake the road is. She added that she was also concerned about the use of Lawrence Road as an eastern route. She spoke strongly against Brady Road extension and the widening of St. Marys Road. King Edward Rd Extension Nash StlDimmocks Mill Rd intersection improvement Mayo StlEno Mountain Rd alignment US 70 business extension Shawnee Dr extension Nash St -vertical alignment Widen old NC 86 Widen NC 86 Widen US 70 business no comments Widen US 70 bypass Dorothy Holloway (US 70 West) spoke against this proposal. She said the Eno River is just a beautiful and valuable west of town as it is east of town. She referred to a petition she had submitted at the September hearing opposing the widening. She said the number of businesses and homes impacted by this widening is much greater than Brady Road. She said the impact to the Holloway house is significant and she is concerned about that since it is her home. She said the only solution to the traffic on Churton Street is Elizabeth Brady Road because no one will travel to Efland for a bypass. Widen St. Marys Rd Norma White spoke against the widening on behalf of the Orange County Preservation Commission. She said the road is part of the historic trading path that goes through this area. The Commission is working with Durham's commission and the State Historic Preservation Office to have the route designated as a historic site. She said she personally agrees with earlier statements that this route will be used to relieve northern Durham's congestion, which is supported by NCDOT's own traffic study. Wendy Olson spoke about the plan generally. She asked the board to give the non -road portion of the plan and include bike and pedestrian projects in the town's improvement plans. She spoke about the NC 86/US 70 bypass intersection in particular. She said improvements to this intersection for vehicles will make it almost impossible for the non -motorized public to cross the intersection. She said those who do not, should not and cannot drive must also be given access to public rights-of-way. There being no further comments, Mayor Johnson closed the hearing and adjourned the meeting. Respectfully submitted, Margarit A. Hauth, Secretary