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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19890119-~~n MINUTES ' ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING ;~ JANUARY 19, 1989 `` The Orange County Board of Commissioner met in special session on January 19, 1989 at 7:30 p.m. at Moorefields Plantation, Hillsborough, North Carolina far the purpose of holding a joint meeting with members of the Orange County Planning $oard. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr,, and Commissioners Stephen Halkiotis, John Hartwell, Shirley E. Marshall and Don Willhait, COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill. PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Barry Jacobs, and members Chris Best, Virginia Boland, Carol Cantrell, Abbie Dickinson, Betty Eidenier, Sharlene Pilkey and Steve Yuhasz: STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Planner Gene Bell, Clerk to the Board Beverly A, $lythe, Planning Director Marvin Collins and Planner David Stancil, Introductory remarks were made by John Link, Barry Jacobs and Chair Moses Carey. INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS Chair Carey stated that in the last two years there has been some differences of opinion on how the Board of Commissioners and the Planning Board work together, Questions about who makes the policy decisions in the County have been raised. He doesn't feel the relationship has changed. There is a need for different kinds of input now than two years ago. He stated there is a need for an ordinance review process that gets the maximum from those affected before it gets to the public hearing level, Barry Jacobs talked about how things have changed with the change in County Managers. In the past the Board of Commissioners turned to the Planning $oard to genezate and carry things through. County Manager John Link is more involved with planning and the relationship between the Planning Board and the Board of Commissioners has changed. It seems that planning items are heard about in a different way, which is usually by the newspaper. He stated the Planning $oard feels it is their job to carry on the policy initiatives the Board of Commissioners stark and that they have good advisers. Lately, it has not been perceived that way. Commissioner Hartwell noted that in teams of day to day activities, it seems that the Planning $oard has the confidence of the Board. However, in terms of other than day to day concerns, the newspapers question things in such extreme ways and print in such extreme ways that doubts are present. Chris Best stated that there are differences but there seems to be a problem with how these differences come out in the newspapers. The Planning Board is the bad guy in the newspaper, Commissioner Marshall stated that one of the problems is the competition for --~•---~ news which tends to exaggerate what the problems are. This is not something anyone on the two Boards can control, The $oard knew that growth was coming but could not address it until a basic planning construct was in place. Once it got there other things that were important to the County had to be addressed, The _ Board does not have as high of interest on planning items as in the past. The Planning Board is part of a system and when you reach out to other interest you bring in people who are not as sophisticated, These other people who are interested just can't take a course in comprehensive planning and understand the specifics. It is the Board's responsibility to listen to these other groups and take their comments into consideration and make adjustments. Commissioner Willhoit stated that a lot of the problem is lack of communication. Up to two years ago the Board of Commissioners was divided when it came to major issues. The issues are not now as exciting as they once were. and the communication is not as close because of the issues, Chris Best asked about zoning Little River and why the Board has never gone forth on this issue. Commissioner Willhoit noted that you can only go forward with so many things. The zoning of these two townships needs to go forward. That issue should not be put aside. Commissioner Marshall stated that when the Comprehensive Plan was updated, it was not the time to go forward with zoning of Little Rivex. Steve Yuhasz asked how many requests have been received to zone those townships. Commissioner Willhoit stated that the County should try to develop goals and 1 determine the needs and then take the issues to the people and sell the people on the need. Discussion ensued on the zoning of Little River Township. Chris Best noted you must fizst have a concept before involving the public. He stated that there is a lot more negotiations going on behind closed doors. Commissioner Halkiotis made comments about the criticism he received in the newspaper on the one million dollaz reservoir bond issue, Commissioner Marshall emphasized that over the last four or five years the process of handling planning concerns was handled differently. However, that has changed and the new County Manager is involved in planning issues. Chair Caxey stated that the Board relies a lot on the County Manager but realizes that there are other groups appointed for the purpose of giving advice. He noted he feels that the two boards can communicate better outside the media while at the same time advocate and keep open government in Orange County. Commissioner Willhoit stated he doesn't think that because we have a manager that it precludes dialogue with the Planning Board. It may be necessary to get together and brainstorm. This joint meeting needs to take place before the Commissioners' goals and objectives meeting in December. The two Boards need to _ ~ ~, brainstorm on what are the issues. ~,~ Steve Yuhasz stated it is hard to get a good idea on what are the goals and objectives of the $oard of Commissioners. He is not sure where the goals for the ~' Planning Board come from and that it is hard to know how to approach meeting those goals without knowing how they originated. Barry Jacobs pointed out that the Planning Board does not know what kind of planning goals the Board adopted in December. Commissioner Marshall noted that in the budget process the Planning Board Iists their goals and that when the budget is adopted, those goals are also adopted. It was the consensus of the two Boards that this joint meeting needs to take place much earlier. John Link noted that we all invest in certain projects but there comes a time when these need to be presented to the Board of Commissioners who will either confirm or let the administration know where to redirect their efforts. It is important to get past that point. Listen to comments and then redo. Commissioner Marshall painted out that when there are extensive changes in a document, the Board needs to be informed of these changes. Barry Jacobs stated that the Planning Board is perceived as not being open to other boards and this is a misperception. The Planning Board gets the message that they are to hurry and get things done and then they find out there are flaws and have to redo everything. An effort has been made to include other boards and outside groups to help with redoing. At this point the EDC wants to be more aggressive. The Planning Board has tried to include everyone who wants to be included. Commissioner Halkiotis stated that the EDC is doing their job. Both. Boards need to get behind Sylvia. He expressed the hope that the Planning Board doesn't see themselves in a competitive mode and that the EDC doesn't see the Planning Board in a competitive mode. EDC has a job to do and the Planning Board has a job to do. Now is the time to foster that communication between the Planning Board and EDC. In response to a statement made by a member of the Planning Board, Chair Moses stated that when an item is referred back to the Planning Board, that it doesn't mean that the Board doesn't appreciate what the Planning board has done but that it means that the Board needs additional input. ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS BOARD. Chair Carey announced that the EAB has asked to be disbanded and reconstituted as a subcommittee of the Planning Board and asked for suggestions for how this could be accomplished. Steve Yuhasz noted that the EAB could keep the Planning Board abreast of environmental issues that may need to be addressed. Commissioner Marshall stated that the County does need to keep this Board - intact if only as a subcommittee. Commissioner Willhoit agreed stating that he would like to see them as a subcommittee of the Planning Board. Chair Carey stated a need to come up with a series.of responsibilities and rethink the composition of the EAB because all are busy people serving on other boards. John Link suggested that the composition might include as staff support the County Engineer and members of the Board of Commissioners and the Planning Board. WATER Barry Jacobs stated that for many years the Planning Board has tried to conceptualize the limits of growth. He stated that of the things that would be important to him as a board member would be to determine how any reservoir fits in an overall scheme in development resources and how those resources reflect on the comprehensive goals for the County. Commissioner Marshall stated that the Board has no control -- there is a private water system and a municipal owned system. She sees the Board of Commissioners bringing leadership to this very particular situation. The Board is not a specific construct that can da these things. It is not that simple to come up with an overall plan. Commissioner Willhoit stated that he sees Efland remaining transition and unincorporated so that economic development can be promoted in this area. Commissioner Hartwell stated he wants to shape Orange County by what is put ::; here and not by what will be handed back. _.:.; John Link talked about the beneficiaries of the reservoir. He noted that Chair Carey has a meeting scheduled for January 30 to talk about utility service boundaries. It was suggested that maybe local legislation is needed to prevent annexation by municipalities if it was contrary to what the County has planned. Commissioner Marshall stated that the entire League of Municipalities would be opposed. TRANSPORTATION PLAN Barry Jacobs noted that the most immediate concerns will be addressed this year and other concerns will be addressed next year. With no other items to be discussed, Ghair Carey adjourned the meeting. Moses Carey, Jr., Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk