HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19820119 09302
MINUTES
JANUARY 19, 1982
The Orange County Board of Commissioners net in regular session on
Tuesday, January 19, 1982, at 7:30 P.M. in the C=missioners' Poom, Orange
County Courthouse, Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Commissioners present: Chairman Richard E. Mitted, and Commissioners
I%b= Gustaveson, Shirley E. Marshall, Norman Walker and porn Willhoit.
A. Board Comments
Commissioner Willhoit added discussion of Efland School Property as
number 12 and County Manager Thompson added consideration of cheese distri-
bution with Mr. Tom Ward canting.
B. Audience ComYments
Messrs. Areford, Heath and McAdams said they wished to address the Board
for ASCO Construction, Deerfield Subdivision and the Timbers Planned Develop-
ment, respectively. Mere were no members of the audience who wished to address
the Board about matters not on the agenda.
C. Reports
1. Designworks: Mr. Giddings, represented Designworks, and presented
that firm's report an the Old Courthouse proposed renovations. Mr. Giddings
gave a brief report of his firm's previous projects. He said he took the
minimum approach or the- renovation, looking at things that must be done as,
for example, the elevator. He provided a "guesstimate" of about $50,000 to
$100,000 for the minimal renovations with about.$75,000 to $175,000 for the max-
=um renovations. He added that the roof might need replacing and that a complete
heating system was needed. Mr. Giddings asked the Board if it intended to do this
project; the Board responded that it had adopted the Capital Improvements Plan
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in 1976 and this renovation was a part of this plan. Mr. Giddings said he would
prefer to withdraw his firm from Board consideration if the integrity and character
Of the building wouldn't be preserved. Commissioner Willhoit said one of the
goals was to maintain the historical character of the Old Courthouse.
2. Integrated Energy Systems: Mr. Jeff Davis and Mr. Dan Koenigshofer
Presented their firm's report on the Old Courthouse renovations. This firm also
provided a brief background on previous projects. Mr_ Davis emphasized the his-
torical integrity of the Old Courthouse_ He said he felt it was premature to
Provide plans for the renovations yet, saying he did not ]mow the County's needs
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right now; he added that he would like to prepare massive renovation plans for
that building providing alternatives and costs for those alternatives.
The Board thanked the architects for their presentations.
3. Dr. simmumons, Orange county Superintendent of Schools, introduced
Mr. Penn, the Assistent Superintendent for Personnel, who gave a report on
the transportation system for the schools. Mr. Penn gave a background report
on recent changes in the North Carolina law pertaining to cars which pass a
stopped.school bus. He said they needed support from the Courts, saying that
- one judge had expressed the personal opinion that this recently amended law per-
taining to cars passing stopped buses was unconstitutional. Commissioner Willhoit
asked about the accident rate for Orange county. Dr. Simmons said the record was
very good so far; there had been no major accidents recently.
D. Board Decisions
1. Reschedule public Hearing--Falls of New Hope
Cca¢nissioner Willhoit moved to rescheLale the public hearing on the Falls of
the New Hope Participatory Paving Project on January 25, 1982; (7otanissioner
Gbstaveson seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0.
°--2-. Deerfield Subdivision: Planning Director Polatty said this was a-major"
subdivision which was exempt from the moratorium on development in the university
Take Watershed because it was already in process when the moratorium was imposed.
Cocmissioner Gustaveson moved, seconded by 0=nissicner Walker, the approval of
the Deerfield subdivision as recommended by the Planning Board. Oomnissioner
Willhoit asked about the intensity of development and soil quality and any pre-
vious problems with a mobile hone development nearby. Mr. Polatty said he knew
of no problems. Mr. Heath, the developer, said there es good absorption in tha
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development; he had 60 units on 22 acres of land in that development and pumped the
individual• septic tanks every five years.
Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0.
3. James A. Freeland and Paul Kempa Property: Planning Director Polatty
said this is a major subdivision according to Planning Department standards but that
- I Mr. Kempa protests its designation as a major subdivision. Commissioner Glastaveson
moved, seconded by Commissioner Walker, to approve the subdivision of lot three .
located on SR 1127 and owned by Paul Kempa and James A. Freeland as recomTended by
the Planning Board. Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0.
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4. Paul Kempa Preliminary Plan: Mr. Polatty said Mr. Kempa was sub-
dividing a ten acre lot and was protesting its designation as a major subdivision
also. Commissioner Gustaveson moved approval, seconded by Cmmissioner Raitted,
of the preliminary plan for the property of Mr. Paul J. Kempa located on SR 1545
as recommended by the Planning Hoard. 'Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0.
5. Public Hearing--The Timbers: Chairman Whitted said the purpose
of this public hearing was a continuation frcm the public hearing of November 23,
1981, for the purpose of receiving the Planning Board's recmuendatien.
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'wain• man Pat Crawford, of the Orange County Planning Hoard, was sworn and
presented the findings of fact on the Timbers to the Board of Commissioners (those
findings are listed on pages of this book). chairwoman Crawford said
the Planning Board had voted si�two in favor of the project which includes
rezoning from R-1 to PD--H (k-8) with special conditions attached; Chairwoman
Crawford listed the special editions (those conditions are found on pages
of this book).. chairman Whitted, having received this. reeammendation,
declared the public hearing adjourned. Mr. Cannity, of the Planning Staff,
reviewed the attachments for the Board of C]oiimissicners.
Commissioner Walker moved to approve the Planning Board's recommendation
of approval with the conditions attached. chairman Nutted declared the motion
dead for lack of a second.
Mr. C.annity told the Board that Planning Staff's recommendation on the
Timbers was that the request be denied or deferred in order to give time to
deal with concerns of the Staff. (See page of this book for a memorand=
from Planning Staff which details the reasons for this recommendation.) cmniis-
lion Willhoit moved to place this request on the February 1, 1982, agenda, CIMI-
missioner Marshall seconded the motion, saying she needed additional time to study
the request. other Board members concurred, saying they too needed additicnal
time. Other Board members felt the demand for this type housing was urgent and
wihhed to move ahead. Vote on OmuLissicner Willhoit's motion: Ayes, 5; noes, 0.
6. ASCO Construction, Security Window and Door, and U-Store-It Rezoning:
Commissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Marshall, to designate
I SCO Construction EC-5,and Security Window and Door and U-Store-It as E-T.
Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0.
7. Amendments to Zoning Ordinance: Mr. Polatty said the proposed amend-
ments to Article 4. clarified uses allowed by right. O=missioner Gustaveson moved
seconded by Chairman Vhitted, to approve the amendments to the zoning Ordinance
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Article 4. Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0.
Commissioner Willhoit roved, seconded by cmadssicner Gastavescn, to .
delay action on the recauended amendments to the Zoning Ordinance Article 8
as requested by the County Attorney. Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0.
S. COG Charter Amendments: Commissioner Gustaveson moved, seconded by
Commissioner Marshall, to approve the amendments as detailed (see pages
of this book). Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0.
— :he ,Board asked the Clerk to notify Mr. Barker at the Triangle J Council
Of Governments of this Board's action on those amendments.
9. Financial Projections from Manager: The Manager listed for Board can.--
sideration several measures which he thought would ensure underspending of the
budget for Fiscal Year 81-82. There was a consensus of the Board that the Manager
should implement measures which he, deemed prudent to ensure County underspending
of the budget.
10. Housing Rehabilitation Contract A wards: Commissioner whitted moved,
seconded by CorrmiS5ioner Gustaveson, to award contracts to Carolina Mobile
Hare Parts (Unit # 138A) for $6,668.00; Gates Construction Cry (Unit Numbers -
65 and 137) $7,506.00 and $10,254.00, respectively; and Eugene H. Morrow (Unit # 361
$8,800.00. Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0.
11. Budget Amendments: Commissioner Gustaveson moved, seconded by O=mis-
sion Walker, to approve the budget amendments (see page of this book)_ vote:
Ayes, 5; noes, 0.
13. Added Item--Cheese Distribution: The Director of Social Services, Mr.
Torn Ward, passed out a contract which provided for the distribution of the cheese
as ordered by President Reagan. Mr. Ward said there was no charge to the recipients.
Oomnissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Om nissicner Gus son to accept the
generous offer of cheese and authorized the Chair to sign the contract. Vote.
Ayes, 5; noes, 0.
The Board asked Mr. Ward to check with Raleigh to ascertain if the nutrition
sites were eligible for free cheese.
12. Efland School Property Discussion: Chairman U-fitted said there had
been an auction last Friday for the Property and that the Efland Ruritan Club
had bid $45,100 for the property. Camnussioner Willhoit said the concerns of the
Board of Om nissioners, as outlined in its statement, was to assure aooessibility
for all the population and that if the property ceases to be used for community
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recreation that the County have the option to acquire the-property, and,
the County's need for the buildings and land; to discuss whether or not to
raise the bid on that property. Commissioner willhoit felt it would be use-
ful to have a meeting within ten days with the Orange County Board of Education
to discuss concerns on this issue; Cmmissioner Gustave--<m felt a discussion
of joint responsibilities would be useful. Coamissi_oner Marshall clarified what
was being said, that in regard to private acquisition of that property,.'if it
passed out of recreational use that the County would have the opportunity to
acquire it paying the original purchase price plus any improvements. Chairman
Whitted said some Efland citizens had told him of their concerns that the property
would not be publicly accessible and had urged the Board to continue trying to
purchase that property for County use. Chairman Whitted added that $45,100 was
still less than value for the property. Commissioner Walker said that whather or
not market value was received, that there was a group of citizens who was willing
to provide recreation for the ==unity.ity. He said that the President of the Raritan
Club had said that race wouldn't be an issue.
Cmadssiener Willhoit said accessibility was a very real issue; that the Coot
had no assurances that the property wouldn't be put to other uses once purchased.
commissioner Willhoit moved to request a joint meeting with the Orange Count,,
7)ard of Education within the week to discuss.l) assurance of public accessi.
..2) provision for the County to have the option for purchase of the property in the
event it is no longer used for ccu mnity-recreation and 3) possible housing of
the Willie M. program.
Commissioner Gustavesonisaid he thought the.Willie M. discussion was out
of place here.
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Chairman Wiitted declared the motion dead for lack of a second.
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Commissioner Willhoit restated his motion: Jh request a meeting with the
Orange County Board of Education within the week to discuss assurance of public
accessibility of the Efland Property and a reversion clause providing for County
purchase of the property in the event it is no longer used for public recreation.
Chairman Whitted seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes, 4 (Commissioners Gustaveson, .
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Marshall, Whitted and Willhoit); noes, 1 (Commissioner Walker) . Chairman Whitted
asked that the County Manager arrange that meeting.
Mr. William Heffner, who identified himself as the Secretary of the Efland
Raritan Club, said according to the by-laws of the Club it was a'public service
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organization.
Cmodssioner Willhoit asked Mr. Heffner if he could have a copy of the
by-laws of the Raritan club and article of incorporation. He said the issue of
accessibility was larger than race; it was in terns of availability to non-
members and policy making.
Mr. Heffner continued that he felt it was "asinine" to use taxpayers'
money to fund a program the citizens were willing to fund for themselves.
Cmutissioner WilLhoit responded that he felt it was part of the responsibility
to the Public to assure public accessibility. He added that the Efland Improve-
ment Association had cane before this Board to request recreational facilities
in that part of the County.
Mr. Heffner said their bvm Council had given the authoarity.to the Ruritan
Club to purchase that property.
Coimiissioner Walker moved to adjourn, seconded by Ommi.ssioner Whitted.
Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0. The meeting was declared adjourn
'chard E. Doi ted, Cha
Paulette Pridgen-Pond, Clerk
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