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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 PB Meeting .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 PB Meeting 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