HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 199603211 APPROVED 511196
2 MINUTES
3 BI-MONTHLY WORK SESSION
4 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
5 MARCH 21, 1996
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8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners held their bi-monthly work session on March 21,
9 1996 at 7:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the Government Services Center in Hillsborough, North
10 Carolina.
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12 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., and Commissioners William
13 L. Crowther, Stephen H. Halkiotis and Don Willhoit.
14 COUNTY COMMISSIONER ABSENT: Commissioner Alice M. Gordon
15 COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill
16 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Manager
17 Rod Visser and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (All other staff members will be identified
18 appropriately below)
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21 AGENDA
22 1. Flexible Development Proposal
23 Planning Director Marvin Collins made reference to the Planning Board recommendations which
24 were included as part of the agenda on March 6, 1996 and highlighted some of the major issues they
25 discussed.
26 Marvin Collins showed on a map the current levels of densities. He said that if the JPA was
27 excluded, there would be many areas where the 50% open space would be a viable option. By making
28 the open space requirement 50% instead of 33%, the Planning Board felt that many developers would
29 choose the conventional option instead of flexible. Two concept plans will be required. After they are
30 approved, the developer will have the option of going with the flexible plan or the conventional plan.
31 In terms of development plan exceptions, the developer could submit only a flexible plan. Marvin
32 Collins listed the incentives vs. disincentives which are listed on pages 28 and 29 of the agenda.
33 He showed on a map where density bonuses would apply and those levels. The last major issue was
34 the village option and the Planning Board voted 6-5 to send this back to public hearing in May, 1996.
35 With regard to the yield plan, he illustrated the process the development would need to follow.
36 In answer to a question from Commissioner Willhoit, Marvin Collins indicated that the summary of
37 developments could be a continuous process showing the information as developments are approved.
38 Commissioner Halkiotis asked about the use of wells and septic tanks along the river and was
39 told that Planning staff had talked with Environmental Health officers who indicated that they would
40 monitor the use of wells and septic tanks to be sure they are environmentally safe. They do not feel
41 there will be a problem.
42 Commissioner Willhoit noted he attended a session at the NACo conference which focused on
43 ground water resources and they emphasized how critical it is to protect these resources. He feels as
44 the County becomes more developed, it will be important to know the yield.
45 Commissioner Crowther noted that the goal for farmland and forestland are in competition with
46 each other. In the farmland goal, it is encouraged that houses be built in the forest and in the forestland
47 goal, it is encouraged that houses be built in the field.
48 The timetable for the Flexible Development Standards is for the Board of Commissioners to
49 receive the draft Design Guidebook for review/comment by May 1, 1996. The Planning Board will
50 receive the final Design Guidebook by May 20, 1996 and the Board of Commissioners will receive the
51 final Design Guidebook by June 6, 1996. During June 17-28 training workshops will be held for land
52 owners, surveyors, developers, etc. on how to use the Design Guidebook and Flexible Development
53 approval process. The effective date for Flexible Development standards will be July 1, 1996.
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1 2. Process and Timetables for Reviewing Long Term School Capital
2 Needs, Financing Options, and Construction Standards
3 John Link made reference to a memo he just distributed outlining a possible timetable for
4 major aspects of school capital issues. He noted that there are four things that need to be considered.
5 1. School Capital Needs Assessment - on April 16 both school systems will make
6 a presentation at the regular County Commissioners meeting. On June 26, the County Commissioners
7 will be asked to approve the School CIP based on feedback from public dialogue, including need for,
8 timing of, and cost of new school facilities.
9 2. School Construction Standards - in mid April, all three elected boards will
10 provide feedback to the School Construction Standards Work Group concerning preliminary
11 recommendations on standards. At the May 14th meeting and at the bimonthly work session on May 16,
12 the Board of Commissioners, with participation from Boards of Education will conduct a public dialogue
13 on school construction standards and consider adoption of the standards. At the May Quarterly Public
14 Hearing, the Board of Commissioners will receive an updated impact fee technical report and decide
15 what changes, if any, to make in the current impact fee schedule.
16 3. School Capital Needs Financing Options - in late June, the Board of
17 Commissioners will formally adopt the 1996-2006 CIP. In mid August, the Board of Commissioners will
18 receive a report on long-term financing options and also consider decisions on capital needs and
19 finance approaches to be pursued. The Board of Commissioners will make a final decision about
20 conducting a possible election to expand permissible uses of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro district tax.
21 4. Changes in Permissible Uses of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools District Tax
22 Proceeds - during August - November, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District will conduct a public
23 education effort on reasons to expand the use of the district tax. The election concerning district tax
24 changes will be held on November 7, 1996.
25 This item was presented for information only.
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27 3. Innovation and Efficiency Committee Update
28 John Link presented a one page summary of the preliminary recommendations of the innovation
29 and efficiency committee. The full committee will make its final recommendations at the County
30 Commissioners meeting on April 16, 1996.
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33 4. Update on the Master Plan for the Southern Human Services Center
34 This item was removed from the agenda and will be considered at an upcoming meeting.
35 It will be placed on a regular agenda.
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38 5. Small Area Plan Petition from Bingham Township Advisory Council
39 Chair Carey made reference to a resolution regarding a small area plan for the White Cross
40 Community and asked about the possibility of this being done. Marvin Collins noted that one of his goals
41 is to begin this process in August, 1996 through April, 1997. This will be a joint staff effort on the part of
42 the Planning Department and the Economic Development Department.
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ADJOURNMENT
With no further items to consider, Chair Carey adjourned the meeting. The next regular meeting
will be held on April 1, 1996 at 5:30 in the Pleasant Green Community Center in Eno Township.
Moses Carey, Jr., Chair
Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk