HomeMy Public PortalAbout09.7.1989 Agenda & Minutes Planning Board0
HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27278
AGENDA
PLANNING BOARD
SEPTEMBER 7, 19889
6:30PM
ITEM #1: Consideration of additions to the agenda.
ITEM #2: Chair's comments.
ITEM #3: Discussion on Parks and Recreation Study:
a) Direction of plans
b) Forming an Advisory Committee
c) Inventory
Note: attached is section of minutes regarding parks for review
ITEM #4: Discussion of draft Resolution regarding Cooperative Planning -
the entire document is enclosed for your review but focus mainly
on #1-4 (highlighted)
ITEM #5: Update on July 25th Public Hearing items.
ITEM #6: Items for October Public Hearing: a) Section 11.10 (attached)
b) other possible amendments
ITEM #7;: Planning Board membership problems (attachment)
ITEM #8: Occoneechee Park Design Meeting - letter enclosed
ITEM #9: Park inventory - continued from #3c.
Please contact Janet Rigsbee at 732-2104 (mornings) if
you cannot attend this meeting.
PLANNING BOARD
MEMBERS Bill Crowther (chair), Margaret Moore (al -t. ,
PRESENT: Evans, Tarleton Davis, Cheshire Cole, Richard Simpson,
Samuel Jones, Dr. Robert Murphy,
MEMBERS Robin L'r :. igned) , im Culbr eth (alt. ) , Kenneth
Chavious
Janet Rigsbee, Thomas Meehan
PRESENT:
ITEM #1: Additons to the agenda were considered. Simpson
requested that a discussion of variances and procedures
to appeal the zoning ordinance be added. They were
designated items 6B and 6C.
Rigsbee announced that on September 18th at 7:30 PM the
Planning Board members were to attend a meeting with the
Orange County Planning Board to discuss the Cooperative
Planning Agreement.
Crowther suggested that Ken Chavious report on his
role on the Board of Adjustment when he arrives.
ITEM #2: Crowther stated that the Orange County Public Hearing
got out of hand and that the Board needs to 'be aware
that we could be confronted with a similar situation.
Simpson stated that if Orange County had solicited more
input beforehand the incident could have been avoided.
Crowther stated that the issues considered can stir a
lot of emotion, but he hopes the citizens of
Hillsborough are more mature.
ITEM #3: Crowther stated that if the Board does not plan to
formulate the Parks and Recreation (P & R) Plan itself,
it must act quickly to establish a subcommittee or an
at -large committee. Moore asked if there was a P & R
Director for Hillsborough and Crowther responded that
Hillsborough has no P & R program, but its citizens
have access to Orange County's facilities.
Crowther stated that the Board cannot formulate and
implement the plan alone, it must have the Town's
citizen's help. He recommended forming a subcommittee
consisting of 2 Planning Board members and 8 citizens
and that these 8 citizens should have diverse
backgrounds in areas such as education, real estate,
law, law enforcement and religion. Also, there should
be fair representation of black and white, men and
women, young and old. Crowther suggested that each
Board member submit names of possible subcommittee
members and that he would contact them to see if they
are interested and those that are interested will meet
PB Meeting
Sept 7, 1989
page 2
with the Planning Board in October.
Rigsbee requested that Board members review the
contents of their P & R information packets before
recommending members. Crowther stated that we need
people who are from Hillsborough and who care about
what happens to their community. Rigsbee said that it
is important that members of the subcommittee interact
with the community.
Rigsbee asked who would pare down the list of
interested people who were nominated by Planning Board
members and Crowther responded that he and Rigsbee
would pare down the list.
Crowther stated that he wanted to serve on the sub-
committee and Evans said that she also may be
interested on serving on the subcommittee.
Rigsbee presented a map of Hillsborough which showed
existing recreational facilities in Hillsborough as
taken from the Orange County's Master P & R Plan.
Crowther stated that he hopes the lands available for
recreation will grow.
ITEM #4: Item postponed until later- in the meeting.
ITEM #5: Rigsbee updated the members on the decisions of the
Town Board on the items considered at the Public
Hearing of July 25th: Cornerstone and Wildwood
properties were zoned GC; the Meadowlands property was
zoned GC except for the inner loop which was zoned AR;
the text amendments to restore the buffer requirements
and the square footage of signs at the 1-85 ramps were
denied; the text amendment to restore the height
restriction of signs at the I-85 ramps was tabled; and
the text amendment regulating the height of signs above
the .sidewalk was approved.
ITEM #6A: Rigsbee presented a possible text amendment to
standardize the minimum elapsed time for Zoning
Ordinance text ammendments. Crowther read the proposed
amendment (agenda) and stated that in fairness any
item, either approved or disapproved, should be subject
-to a 12 month minimum waiting period before a
reapplication could be submitted. Specifically
Crowther wanted to replace the word "denied" with
"acted upon" as the necessary condition to reapply.
Simpson stated that one year is too long, but it should
be uniform. Crowther responded that the text
amendments recently considered were before the Board
just 6 months ago. Simpson stated that if you deny a
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.Sept 7. 1989
page 3
person the free use of their property they ought to be
able to appeal and Crowther responded that while the
public could not reintroduce the issue, it can be
reintroduced by the Town Board. Crowther asked if
there was any objection for putting the proposal on
the agenda for the next public hearing and there was
no objection.
ITEM #6B: Simpson stated he will discuss variances at later date.
ITEM #6C: Simpson asked if you must repay the application tee when
you reapply for a permit (i.e. variance, zoning, special
exception, etc.) and Rigsbee responded that some permits
are rejected before money is ever collected, but if money
is collected and the permit is denied that yes, another
fee is collected. On appeals, if there is a need to
reapply, residential uses are are not charged, but non-
residential uses are charged. Crowther asked if that
policy was written into the Zoning Ordinance and Rigsbee
responded that it was an administrative policy. Rigsbee
said that if anyone was denied a permit by the Board of
Adjustment they could appeal the decision in court.
Simpson stated that people who have been denied a permit
should not have to repay when they reapply. Crowther
stated that if there was not a germane section in the
Zoning Ordinance, the Board cannot recommend its
amendment. Rigsbee stated that the fee policy is
established by the Town Board with an approved fee
schedule and she defended the fees as a reflection of the
cost of preparing agendas, research, notification signs
and publications. Simpson stated that people should not
have to spend so much money.
ITEM #7: Crowther stated that the Board will have many openings
this fall: Ida Louise Evans is moving from out-of-town
to in -town, Dr Murphy and Tarleton Davis' terms are
expiring, and Robin Brewer has resigned from the Board.
Murphy asked what was the procedure for designating an
out -of -towner to the Planning Board and Crowther
responded they must be approved by the Hillsborough Town
Board and the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
Rigsbee stated that applicants for the Planning Board
must submit a resume to the Town Board. She also
stressed that the Board needed out-of-town members. Ida
Louise Evans stated she does not want to be reappointed
to the Board. Crowther stated that all members should
think about potential members and have recommendations
by the October meeting.
PB Meeting
Sept 7, 1989
page 4
ITEM #8: Rigsbee stated that the Occoneechee Park Committee is
meeting September 9th from 9 AM to 12 to discuss plans
for the park. The Occoneechee Park Committee was
established two years ago and this will result in their
first concrete proposal. Cole said the Committee had
been delayed by difficulty of getting the members
together. Crowther stated that the property has no
immediate access and extreme topography. Rigsbee stated
that the Committee needs people to give their input and
support.
ITEM #9: Rigsbee again presented the map of existing areas of
recreation. She stated that the map is a starting point
and it does not include all areas. Crowther stated that
maybe the Board members knew of potential areas. Rigsbee
stated that most school facilities, church facilities,
Exchange Club Park, and little league fields are already
on the map. Cole stated that the landfill area was an
area of potential use. Crowther stated that once there
is a formal P & R committee people may come forward to
donate land.
Cole asked if there was any potential for county, state
or federal matching funds and Crowther responded that it
was an interesting idea but he did not know if funds were
available.
Simpson asked what were the boundaries of this plan and
Crowther responded the ETJ of Hillsborough, but nearby
facilities would be considered to avoid duplication of
effort.
Rigsbee stated that Wendy Olson is working on a walkway
project for Hillsborough and she will work closely with
the Board on the P & R plan. Crowther stated that the
plan should also include activities and cultural
opportunities,
ITEM #4: Rigsbee stated that for the September 18th meeting with
the Orange County Planning Board, Orange County primarily
wanted agreement on the first 4 items in the Cooperative
Planning Agreement: the identification of a Cooperative
Planning Zone (CPZ); definition of transition areas
within the CPZ; definition of non -urbanizing areas in
the CPZ; and incorporation of these agreed upon areas
into a CPZ map. She presented a map prepared by Orange
County which showed their proposed transition areas, non -
urbanizing areas, extent of services, watersheds and
existing river basins. Rigsbee stated that the question
before the Board is how far do you think we will grow in
the next 20 years. We do not need to grow to the agreed
upon boundaries, but it may be difficult to grow past
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PB Meeting
Sept 7, 1989
page 5
them. Crowther stated that there is a need to control
growth, but he does not want to be limited by Orange
County.
Davis stated that once water coarses to Hillsborough, it
twill be near impossible to control growth. Rigsbee
stated that Orange County may want Hillsborough to enter
into the Cooperative Planning Agreement prior to
assisting in the reservoir project because they may fear
our growth once the water comes available. Simpson
stated he doesn't want Orange County placing restrictions
on Hillsborough.
Crowther asked if the plan not only defined the
perimeters but also classified sections by growth
classification and Rigsbee responded yes. Crowther
stated that the Board needs input from the Town Board so
both Boards can work in the same direction and Rigsbee
responded that the issue is not on the Town Board's
September agenda and will not be considered until
October, but Orange County needs Hillsborough's input by
October 20th. Crowther stated that potentially there
could be 4 different plans drawn up.
Crowther proposed a resolution urging the Town Board to
consider the 1st four items of the CPZ agreement with
Orange County at their September meeting. He said it
would give our Board something to work with; we are a
recommending body, we need the Town Board to take the
lead.
Davis seconded.
Unanimous.
Mr Whittaker arrived to discuss the Orange County
Cooperative Planning Agreement. Whittaker stated that
the main points of contention are the water and sewer
boundaries. These lines cannot be cast in stone. There
is a need for flexibility, to be able to go with the
flow. The boundaries of the service area are mainly
determined by the geography of ridges. All the land to
the northeast of the ridge is proposed for the Town of
Hillsborough to service. OWASA does not like the line
because they want more subscribers to their water
service. The larger the number of subscribers the
smaller the average water bill.
Crowther asked if the Town Board is ready to give
guidance to the Planning Board regarding Orange County's
proposal and Whittaker responded that the Town Board
accepts the service boundaries but the plan needs greater
flexibility; it doesn't even allow for projects which are
already in progress.
PB Meeting
Sept 7, 1989
page 6
Crowther asked about the problems of expanding the Town
of Hillsborough to the limits of its township and
Whittaker responded that the question of boundaries is
again a question of geography, and we need readily
identifiable borders like rivers and roadways. The Town
Board basically agrees in principle to the plan, but
Orange County wants a tight binding agreement and
Hillsborough wants a plan with greater flexibility.
Whittaker urged the Planning Board to be aggressive in
offering their opinion on how Hillsborough should grow
in the next 20 years. With a plan we can improve Churton
Street, not overnight but overtime. Crowther stated
that he does not want to lean in one direction and have
the Town Board go the opposite way.
Davis stated that there is no point in setting definite
boundaries and Whittaker responded the County wants to
set definite boundaries, but he hopes that maybe the Town
and County can compromise by creating a Flex Zone.
Whittaker also stated that the Planning Board should not
be a rubber stamp and should come up with their own
ideas. Planning Board meetings have the advantage of no
press, Town Board meetings have press. Rigsbee stated
that we do need some guidelines.
Whittaker recommended that the Board attend the Town
Board's next meeting where they will discuss the proposed
agreement.
The meeting was adjourned.
Thomas Meehan, Secretary