HomeMy Public PortalAbout6.21.1999 Planning Board Agenda & MinutesMINUTES
PUBLIC HEARING
June 21, 1999
PRESENT: Mayor Horace Johnson, Ken Chavious, Frances Dancy, Evelyn Lloyd, Catherine Martin,
Richard Simpson, John Taylor (PB chair), Richard Bradford, David Daniel, Ed Gill, Jim
Boericke
PUBLIC: Approximately 40 citizens, Charles Elam, Sy Vogel, Michelle Beauchman, Eric Peterson,
Donna Armbrister, Kenny Keel, Nathaniel Eubanks, Pete Champion, Margaret Hauth
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.
ITEM #1: Mayor Johnson opened the floor for questions and comments from the public on the
annexation of the proposed Hillsborough Place development. Bill Vinson, resident of
Stagecoach Run, expressed concern about the intensity of the proposed development in close
proximity to their rural subdivision. He added that he was curious to hear more about the
details of the proposal. Peterson asked the members if a presentation by the developer would
help bring everyone to the same point and assist with answering some questions. By the
consensus the Town Board agreed to merge the two hearings (annexation and rezoning) and
proceed with hearing public comments, to be followed by the developer's presentation.
Mayor Johnson passed the gavel to Planning Board chair John Taylor.
Syd Kaplan, Cornwallis Hills resident, expressed her concerns about this development and
utilities. She noted that recently her property was being surveyed related to a sewer line
expansion and she had not been notified that the crew would be on her property, nor had the
crew been able to answer many questions about why they were there. Peterson noted that
the civil engineering firm designing the Cates Creek outfall had proceeded with surveying
without notifying property owners and that the firm has been told such practice is
unacceptable. Lee Zinn and Vic Knight both asked to delay their comments until after the
presentation.
Susan Belliger, 17 -year resident of the historic district, spoke against the annexation of this
development. She said the town cannot handle this much growth. Beth Bellinger, OHS
student spoke about school overcrowding and indicated her opposition to this development.
Lisa Brown said she did not wish to speak.
Jo Soulier, property manager for Cornwallis Hills, asked what demographic studies or
information about the new residents could the developers provide, so that this development's
impact on schools could be determined. She also asked where the right-of-way for the
improvements to Old 86 would be coming from. June Haas, Old NC 86 resident, expressed
her curiosity about the project and asked whether it would be in her neighborhood's benefit
to also seek annexation. Mayor Johnson indicated that her neighborhood would be very
difficult to serve with sewer. He noted that the improvements this development would
construct would not be available to her neighborhood due to topography. Steve Anderson
and Mary Terry both asked to delay their comments until after the presentation.
Martin Brown, resident of Stagecoach Run, discussed his concerns about the development.
He said that when the EDD hearings were held a number of years ago, the adjacent owners
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had been promised a 100 undisturbed perimeter buffer to protect their property. He asked
that this development guarantee this buffer. He added that some of the lots included in
proposal are part of the Stagecoach Run subdivision and carry restrictive covenant to limit
them to 1 lh acre residential lots. He asked that the developers indicate their intention for
their properties. Jaine & Tom Sadler said their comments are the same as Brown's and they
want to hear the presentation.
John Delconte, resident of the historic district, expressed his concern about this and other
development around town. He noted that the main reason he moved here was for the small-
town character. Sam Bratton, a property owner requesting annexation, spoke in favor of the
development. He noted that the proposal meets the intent and purpose of the Economic
Development District. Bob Rose, 229 East Queen St, spoke in general favor of the
development, but asked the Boards to delay any final decision on the development for 3 to
6 months to allow greater public participation and understanding of the details of the
development.
Mayor Johnson spoke as a private citizen. He reminded the board members that the town has
a policy of making all development pay for itself. For this development, the land for the
public safety building is offered, but not the building. He noted that the developer must also
provide the building. He added that the building site needs to be moved closed to Old 86 to
provide better protection for the retail portions of the development. He noted that an
estimated cost for the building would be $400,000. In return he noted, the town would be
committing to approximately $600,000 worth of public investment in terms of personnel,
vehicles, and supplies to adequately staff and supply the building with police and fire services.
He noted that if the developer doesn't provide the building portion of the cost, the town is
looking at a $1,000,000 expense, in which case, it would not be in the town's best interest to
annex this development.
Tom Tiemann, resident of Cornwallis Hills, said that he is an economist by training and a
former member of the Town's Board of Adjustment and the County Economic Development
Commission. He noted that he agreed with some of Johnson's comments. He encouraged
the board to be creative and get the developer to build some non-residential portions first so
that additional tax revenue will be received before significant services are required.
Peterson said that he had spoken to the Orange County manager and discussed the possibility
of a courtesy review of the development by the county. He said that he asked the county to
submit all comments on the development on or before the Planning Board meeting on July 6,
which will be when the Planning Board formulates its recommendation on this project. Hauth
provided a brief synopsis of the annexation process so far and the implications of the Planned
Unit Development zoning regulations.
Charles Elam presented the development plan for Hillsborough Place. He went through most
of the pages in the development book, detailing the proposed development, the mixture of
uses, buffers, and phasing schedule. He answered general board member questions.
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Taylor went back through the list of speakers. Lee Zinn said the buffer issue has been
addressed. Steven Anderson, Cornwallis Hills resident, spoke and asked the board members
to delay making a decision on this project to allow for more public involvement and see if the
developers can make modifications to address the concerns. Mary Terry, resident along NC
86, spoke. She noted her concern that multi -family will be adjacent to her property and the
buffer doesn't seem to be as wide there. She said she agreed with the concerns that others
raised about traffic and schools. Jo Soulier spoke for Jon VonHalen and asked if the
residential component couldn't be reduced so that current residents of town could fill some
of the jobs in this development, rather than importing both jobs and employees. Vic Knight
asked questions about the traffic study and signaling.
John Taylor closed the public hearing and returned the gavel to Mayor Johnson who called
for a five-minute recess.
Respectfully submitted,
Margaret A. Hauth, Secretary