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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19730305'~~~ 7 F'~E 53b MLNUTF.S OF THE ORANGE COUidl'Y BOARD DF COMMISSIONERS March ~, 1973 The Board of County Commissioners of Orange County met in regular session on Monday, March 5, 1973, at 10 o'clock A.M, in the Conference Room of the Social Services Building. Members Present: Chairman C. Norman Walker and Commissioners Henry S. Walker, Tra A. Ward, Flora Garrett end Richard E. Whitted. Members Absent: None. It was moved the the Clerk could dispense with the reading of the minutes, however, it was noted from Xerox copies that there was a correction to he made in the minutes of February 26, 1973• A road petition for SR #1722 was submitted and the Clerk was authorized to forward same to the State Highway Commission. Chairman Walker recognized Lloyd Osterman, Hyconeechee Regional Librarian. Mr. Osterman stated that the prospects of securing a new library was very much alive in the views of those involved with the matter end that a Iot of wc.rk had gone into the project. He requested that a joint meeting of the Board, the Library Committee and Miss Rebecca Wall be scheduled. It was agreed that the Board would meet with Miss Wall and the Library Committee on Thursday, March 15, 1973, at 8 P.M, in the Confederate Memorial Library. Commissioner Flora Garrett presented resolution that had bean adopted by Triangle J Council of Governments concerning Housing an3 Sedimentation. It was agreed that sedimentation control data was to be forwarded to each Board member and that the resolution relative to sedimentation would be considered et the regular scheduled Tuesday night meeting. Upon motion of Commissioner Flora Garrett, seconded by Commissioner Richard 3. Whitted, the following Resolution was unanimously adopted: "WHEREAS, a Moratorium has been imposed upon the water-grant program of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and WHEREAS, this program epnstituted a means by which county units cou13 maximize scarce local resources while providing water and sewer facilities, and WHEREAS, if programs must be suspended in order to limit federal spending, programs af~ecting areas less crucial tv counties than water-sewer grants should be cut, NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners urges that the federal government either resume the program or implement comparable programs." Upon motion of Commissioner Flora Garrett, seconded by Commissioner Richard .,. Whitted, the following Resolution was introduced: "WHEREAS, a moratorium has been imposed on subsidized housing programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Farmers Home Administration which provide new housing for low and moderate income families, and WHEREAS, local resources are too scarce to cope by themselves with the problems of substandard housing, and WH,TREAS, Orange County has been working through the Region J Council of Governments to establish the forthcoming Research Trianggle Housing Development Corporation, whose stated goal of producing 3,AD0 units of low and moderate income housing over the next five years is dependent upon the use of federal housing programs, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Hoard of Commissioners urges the federal government to take immediate steps to either resume operation of the suspended prpgrems or to implement new means of providing housing subsidies to low and moderate income families." Discussion ensued concerning the Resolution on Housing. Commissioner Ira A. Ward stated that he could support the Housing Resolution if the following amendment was made tp sai.d resolution: °.~ 7 P~sE 537 "BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners urges the Federal Government to take immediate steps to resuming the program sponsored by the Federal Housing Administration and to implement new means of supporting public housing. Commissioner Flora Garrett agreed to the amendment offered by Commissioner Ira A. Ward. Commissioner Richard E. Whitted seconded Commissioner Ira A. Ward's amendment. The following amended Resolution was unanimously adopted: WfivREA5, s moratorium has been imposed on subsidized housing programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Farmer's Home Administration which provide new housing for low and moderate income families, and WHEREAS, local resources are too scarce to copy by themselves with the problems of substandard housing, and trTHEREAS, Orange County has been working through the Region J Council of Governments to establish the forthcoming Research Triangle Housing Aevelopment Corporatipn, whose stated goal of producing ~,~9G0 ' units of low end moderate income housing over the next five years is dependent upon the use of federal housing programs, BE TT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners ~ urges the Federal Government to take immediate steps to resuming the program sponsored by the Federal Housing Administration and to implement new means of supporting public housing. j Chairman Walker presented a latter from W, T. Harris, Chairman of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners. Said letter was trying to promote legislation for implementation of a state-wide kindergarten program. It stated that Committee Substitutes for House Bill ;;127 and Senate Bill X11 ~ ware voted upon and passed out of the Education Committee with favorable recommendations. Said letter requested the Board to contact members of the '; Joint Appropriations Sub-Committee on Education and advise them of their support of a state-wide kindergarten program. Discussion ensued, It was felt that the Board should be advised of the action taken by the County Board of Education relative to the proposed legislation. The Clerk telephoned George Williams, Superintendent of the County School Unit, and Mr, Williams advised ' that the County Board of Education had endorsed a state-wide kindergarten program at its last monthly meeting. Upon motion of Co.-nmissioner Flora Garrett, seconded by Commissioner Ira A. Ward, it was moved and adopted, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners endorse the general concept of a state-wide kindergarten program end that each of Orange County's representatives in the General Assembly be notified of the action taken on the matter. Chairman Walker recognized Ebert Pierce, Chairman of the County Extension Service. Mr. Pierce fited, with the Board, a report entitled "Orange County Agricultural Extension Service - A Summary of 19 f2 Activities." It was brought to the attention of the Board that there existed a vacancy on the Chapel Hi11 Board of Ad;ustments. Upon motion of Commissioner Ira A. 4Jard, seconded by Commissioner Henry S. Walker, it was moved and adopted, that Robert A. Mellott of Gray Bluff Trail, Chapel Hi11, North Carolina, be appointed to a full term as a member on the Chapel Hill Board of Adfustments. Chairman Walker recognized Ed Tenney, Jr., Realtor, who presented a plat containing the first phase of a proposed development entitled "Robin Woods Development". Mr. Tenney presented a detail verbal report of his plans for the proposed development. He stated that the percolation test had been completed by the Health Department and that he had now complied with ell the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance and all the requests that had been received from the Board. Toe Nassif, Consulting Engineer and Architect, verified the statements made by Mr. Tenney and presented a booklet containing the types of single unit dwellings that would b® placed in the development. Upon motion of Commissioner Ira A, Ward, seconded by Commissioner Henry S. Walker, it was moved and adopted, that the Chairman be authorized to sign the certificate of approval on the plat entitled "Robin Woods Development". --v '~ F.'.SE 5~$ Chairman Walker presented the following letter from Emery B. Denny, Jr., Attorney for the Town of Chapel Hill: "The Board of Aldermen of the Town of Chapel Hill has adopted a Motion requesting that the Board of County Com_nisaioners consider an adjustment to the extraterritorial zoning and subdivision line between Chapel Hill and the County be considered by the Commissioners, You may recall that pursuant to Special Act, adjustments to this line may he made with mutual agreement of the Board of Aldermen and the County Commissioners. Enclosed herewith is a sketch of the area in question. The dashed line shows the existing Chapel Hill Zoning District, the dotted line shows the existing corporate limits of the Town, and the connected triangular line the proposed extension of the District. As shown thereon, Lots 17 and 16 are owned by the Town of Chapel Hi11, Lot ~A is a portion of Lake Forest Subdivision, which is currently before the Board of Aldermen for final plat approval. Lot 5 is the property proposed for development by Oek Forest Developers, and also is currently before the Board of Alderman on a request for a plat unit development, Both Lots 5 and 5A are proposing incorporation of the Chapel Hi11 street system, and use pf the Chapel Hi11 sewage facilities. I believe the enclosed is self explanatory, but should you have any further questions, please give me a call prior to the next meeting of the Commissioners. 2 would hope that this could be considered favorably by the Commissioners at their first meeting in March.". Chairman Walker recognized Al Rimmer, Consulting Engineer representing the developers of a cluster development that is being planned in Chapel Hi11 Township. ilr. Rimmer advised the Board that the developers had done everything in compliance with the Chapel Hill Zoning Ordinance, because the property involved was located next to the town Forest and there were other factors that had to be considered. He stated that the timing element was of vital importance to the developers and that a five month delay could be imposed due to the fact that the ' County did not have a clue tar development section in their ordinance. Mark Burnham stated that the City should control its growth pattern, but that the County might wish to control its growth pattern and that the County Zoning Ordinance did not, at this time, contain a provision for planned ur_it development. He stated that he felt the County should consider whether or not it wished to - consent to peace meal zoning or whether it wished to have the time to consider the entire growth pattern around municipal areas. Discussion ensued. Upon motion of Commissioner Ira A. Ward, seconded by Commissioner Flora Garrett, it was moved and adopted, that the request of the Tvwn of Chapel Hi11 relative to Extraterritorial Zoning and Subdivision Lines as incorporated in the letter from Emery B, Denny, Jr., Town Attorney, be approved, Chairman Walker recognized Paul Wager of Chapel Hiil. Dr, Wager stated that he was present to present his personal views concerning the retaining of a 70;b assessment ratio. He stated that lower rates do conceal lower inequity, but that he felt the majority of the citizens were opposed to the assessment ratio being increased to 100. Chairman Walker recognized Sim L. Efland, Mr. Eflend stated that he was a former County Commissioner and that he readily recognized the task before the currant Board members, however, he had, personally, in the past, been in favor of a 50~ assessment ratio and that he currently felt that the ratio should never exceed a 70~ maximum. Chairmen Walker recognized Mrs. J. E. Adams. i4rs, Adams stated that she was a property owner in Chapel Hi11 Township, but that she believed in truth in government and that there existed as much possibilities for inequity in the 70~ assessment ratio as there existed in the 100 assessment ratio. She stated that with the new property valuation going into affect in 1973, that she felt this was a good tame for the assessment ratio to be increased. Chairman Walker recognized Jan.Penny of the Calvandar Community. Mr. Penny stated that he had no strong opposition to the County~s increasing the assessment ratio, but that he felt the Board should reduce the maximum tax by3~ on s11 the special district taxes that were imposed in certain areas. He requested _ that the Board consider a downward adjustment fqr these taxes. ~,..'t '7 F~s~ 539 Chairman Walker recognized Gary P, Sykes of Bingham Townahip, Mr. Sykes stated that he concurred with the position taken by Commissioner Ira A. Ward ' on Tuesday nicht relative to the retaining of the 70~ assessment ratio. He said that concsssiona should be made to the citizens who grow fiber and food for sale or otherwis®. Chairman Walker recognized Sen'L1oyd of Efland. Mr, Lloyd who introduced himself as a dairy farmer stated that some tax relief must be given to farmers as a critical condition does exist for the individuals who produce food for the nation, Mr. Lloyd presented a number of publications and documenta.wbich revealed that farmers were being forced out of business because of inflation. Chairman Walker recognized Harry Russell and John McFae, representatives of the Animal Protection Society of Chapel Hill. They requested the Soard to . eliminate the present method of executing animals that were left in the pounds. Tb4y explained that an injection of drugs was a much more humane procedure. They also suggested that a committee of five or seven persons be appointed for the purpose of studying the pounds and making recommendations for the improving and upgrading of this facility, Discussion ensued. The Soard agreed that the method of eliminating unwanted animals should be changed and that the Dog Warden would he advised to nurchasa tlae needed drugs for the execution procedure. ; Clayton Haithcock, Zoning Officer, presented the following plats: i 1. Final plat of Johnson Park Subdivision in Chapel Hill Township - revised December 12, 1972. The Board was advised that the County Planning Board recommends approval of said plat. i Upon motion of Commissioner Ire A. Ward, seconded by Commissioner Henry S. Walker, it was moved and adapted, that the certificate of approval on said plat be signed by the Chairman and the County Administrator. 2. A plat of the property of James H. Boyd in Eno Township dated February 6, 1973• The Soard was advised that the County Planning Soard recommends approval of said plat. Upon motion of Commissioner Ira A. Ward, seconded by Commissioner Flora Garrett, it was moved and adopted, that the certificate of approval on said plat be signed by the Chairman and the County Administrator. 3. A plat of the property of Jerry V. and Norma S. Webster in Eno ~ Township dated July 17, 1972. The Board was advised that the County Planning ~ Board recommends approval of said plat. Upon motion of Commissioner Ira A. Ward, seconded by Commissioner Flora Garrett, it was moved and adopted, that the certificate of approval on said plat be signed by the Chairman and the County Administrator. i 4. A plat of the property of J. C. Wheeler containing 1.92 acres in Eno Townahip dated February 1, 1973• The Board was advised that the County Planning Soard recommends approval of said plat. Upon motion of Commissioner Ira A, Ward, seconded by Commissioners Henry 5. Welker and Flora Garrett, it was moved and adopted, that the certificate of approval on said plat be signed by the Chairman and the County Administrator. 5. A plat of the property of Roger Syrd containing 1 acre in Eno Township dated February 1, 1973• The Board was advised that the County Planning Soard recommends approval of said plat. Upon motion of Commissioner Ira A. Ward, seconded by Commissioners Henry S. Walker and Flora Garrett, it was moved end adopted, that the certificate of approval on said plat b® signed by the Chairman and the County Administrator. 6, A plat of the property of Mrs. W. P. Andrews containing 1.54 acres in Eno Townahip dated January 19, 1973. The Soard wee advised that the Coun~y Planning Board recommends approval of said plat. upon motion of Commissioner Richard E. Whitted, seconded by Commissioner Henry S. Walker, it was moved and adopted, that the certificate of approval pn said plat be signed by the Chairman and the County Administrator, 7. A plat of the property of Robert Bryan Ri1ay containing 2.76 acres in Eno Township. The Board was advised that the County Planning Board recommends approval of acid plat. Upon motion of Commissioner Ira A. Ward, seconded by Commissioner Richard E. Whitted, it was moved and adopted, that the certificate of approval on said plat be signed by the Chairman and the County Administrator. °"~'t ~ F;~E 5~U Chairman Walker stated that the Board had agreed to adopt an assessment ratio at this meeting. Discussion ensued. IIpon motion of Commissioner Ira A. Ward, seconded bq Commissioner Renrq S. Walker, it was moved that the County retain the 70~ assessment ratio. Commissioner Henrq S. Walker stated that the citizens who had contacted him about the matter were opposed to the increase in the tax assessment ratio and that he Pelt due to the fact of the re-valuation program that one major ohange at a time is enough for the tax pagers of the County. Commissioner Flora Garrett read the following statement: The Looa1 Government Study Commission has endorsed the repeal of the asaessmerit ratio. The Commission feels and I quote, "This practioe has outlived its usefulness and nerves only to confuse taxpayers and reduce protests of valuations." Tf the Bill introduced in the General Assembly be passed, 7anuarq 1, 1971} would be the effective date. In one gear, the issue may be a dead one. The Raleigh News & Observer stated after our neighbor Wake County went to 100 assessment rate that "this step will remove the camouflage and silly deception of imposing an unnecessarily high tax on only a portion of true property value." If the tax rate is cut the proportiate amount remains the same, the new tax formula will eauae no increase in actual taxes paid - real and personal property. Wake County has given their citizens a choice with the listing of persona], property. He can either list his personal household goads at 10~ of his house or apartment; or he can call the county and have an appraiser some out to assess all his personal property, including food and clothing. Wake County Tax Supervisor Lonnie Boat saga that most people choose the 10~ route. Its easier and usuallq cheaper. Personal property worth is vary hated to determine and judge by evergone. Because of the inequities and administrative difficulties in the taxing of personal propartg. The North Carolina Association of Assessing Officers in November, 1972 unanimously recommended that property of this nature be classified and excluded from the tax base. If personal property is to be taxed, maybe Wake Countg~s solution would eliminate some of the problems. Now there has been a lot said about the effect a 100 assessment ratio on certain taxes ~ Chapel Rill-Carrboro School Supplement, Recreation, Fire District and even the new bus levy. The 100 ratio can have no effect unless the governing body so desires Take the Chapel Rill-Carrboro School Supplement Tax. Though the Board of Education may submit a supplement currant expense budget of the maximum of ~~~ which has been approved bq the voters, the final authority rests solely with the Board oP County Commissioners! Each of the School Board moat prepare the supplement budget and each of the County Commissioners may approve or disapprove in part or totally. The 100 ratio changes nothing unless the Commissioners do want a change and this is almost meaningless angway now that the General Statutes have been changed allowing supplement ou line item current expense funds, The Chapel Hi11 Board of Aldermen has the same perrogative with the Recreation and Bua levg, In summary, the only reason I am pushing for the 100 ratio is tc simplify the proceedings and to let the tax payers know exactly preaiselg what value the county has placed on his property. If the complaints do mutiply, maybe we all asn learn something. I, for one, do not mind being inconvenienced far the sake of clarity and a greater understanding bg the people of Orange County. Commissioner Richard E. Whitted stated that he was in favor of increasing -. the assessment ratio in order to simplify the matter of tax value to the tax payer and that he felt the 100 assessment ratio would clarify the situation. Chairman Norman Walker stated that ha concurred with Commissioners Garrett and Whitted, however, he felt that the special district tax should be adjusted downward for the benefit of those in the special tax districts. ~,.~,( ~ FI,CE 5~~ County Administrator, S. M. Gattis, asked the Board if they were aware that if Commissioner Ira Ward~a motion was defeated that the matter of an assessment ratio would net be settled. Chairman Walker called for a vcta on the motion. Commissioners Ira A. Ward and Heriry S. Walker voted aye. Commissioners Flora Garrett and ; Riahard E. Whitted voted nay. Chairman Walker voted nay. Chairman Walker then declared Commissioner Ira A. Ward~a motion defeated. Upon motion of Commissioner Flora Garrett, seconded by Commissioner Riahard E. Whitted, it was moved that Orange Countp adopt an assessment ratio of one hundred per cent (1000 for the peal-of 1973; but that the Board will take into consideration a downward adjustment of the 1973 tax rate in order that tax collections for the year 1973 might more nearly equal tax collections for the year 1972 and that special district tax rates will also be revised downward in order that special district collections in-1973 might more nearly equal aollectiona for the year 1972. Chairman Walker called for a vote on the motion. Commissioners Flora Garrett and Richard E. Whitted voted aye. Commissioners Renry 5. Walker and Ira A. Ward voted nay. Chairman Walker noted aye and he then declated the motion passed. Chairman Walker presented a report to the Board from the foreman of I, the Grand Jury. The report wsa filed with other data for the Commissioners. The Board reviewed the Legislative Bulletin that had been received i from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. Representative James Green of Bladen County, Chairman of the Roads Committee was requesting that the Boards of Commissioners advise him as to their opinions relative to the current.highway system. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Ward stated I it is the opinion of the Drange County Board that each County Board should have the privilege of reviewing the proposed road programs which have been ' allocated in their Countp; and that each Board should be informed sa to the criteria that was established for the selection of the proposed projects. This would provide a method by which County Commissioners could be informed as to those roads that were being plated on the State system and they, in turn, could answer the questions that are received from the public sa to the "whys and wherefores" concerning the road program. The Board feels that ~ this would establish a better chain pf communication between State and Local government. Another suggestion would be, since the Board has no direst authority for the selection of the roads that will be paved and/or improved, that the Clerk to each Board of Commissioners act as a receiving agent for the petition, but that the approval of the County Board would not be necessary and the Clerk could be authorized to forward the petitions directly to the - District and/or Division office. -. - - - - " - - ~ The Clerk was instructed to write Proctor Scarborough, the newly appointed Highway Commissioner, and inquire as to when it would be convenient for him to meet with the Board and to state also that the Board desired to have the Division Engineer and the District ~igineer present for the meeting. A letter from Edwin Gill, Gtate Treasurer, was presented. Said letter requested the Board to oppose recent Federal Legislation that would repeal the tax exempt privilege on all State and Local government bonds. Discussion ensued. The Clerk wsa instructed to write to Congressmar. L. H. Fountain, Congressman Wilbur Mills, Chairman of the House and Waya Committee and to Sam Ervin and Jesse Reims, Senators far the State expressing the concern of the Board over the proposed legislation. Chairman Walker stated that he had received correspondence from Clyde Patton, Chairman of the Wildlife Commission, stating that a Regional meeting would be held in Graham and that it was the desire of the Commission to have the feeling of the Board relative to opening all areas of hunting for Orange County on the same dates as Butner, Durham County, Person County, Caswell County, Granville County and Waite County along with other game refuges. Commissioner Flora Garrett was in opposition to the opening of Eno Township for hunting. No action wsa taken on the matter. Upon motion of Commissioner Richard E. Whitted the meeting was adjourned to meet again on Thursday, March ls, 1973. C. Norman Walser, Chairman Bette June Hayes, Clerk . _ , 5. _.