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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-22-2018 Hillsborough1 APPROVED 03/20/2018 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HILLSBOROUGH BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JOINT MEETING February 22, 2018 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Joint Meeting with the Town of Hillsborough Commissioners on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 7:00 p.m., in the Whitted Building, in Hillsborough, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Dorosin and Commissioners Mia Burroughs, Mark Marcoplos, Earl McKee, Renee Price, and Penny Rich COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Barry Jacobs COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: James Bryan TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH COMMISSIONERS/STAFF: Mayor Tom Stevens, Town Commissioners Mark Bell, Evelyn Lloyd, Kathleen Ferguson, Jenn Weaver, and Town Manager Eric Peterson TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Brian Lowen Chair Dorosin called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks Chair Dorosin welcomed everyone to the meeting, and said he hopes the evening will flow much like a work session, with open and productive dialogue. Mayor Stevens said Hillsborough’s expectation is to have a good conversation as well. He said, from Hillsborough’s perspective, the larger context for the evening is: 1.) a sense of place: the wonderful town that Hillsborough is, and wanting all residents to feel that they are in “town” no matter where they live; 2.) a sense of stress: there has been a lot of growth and change in Hillsborough in recent years, despite it being a very small town, with a small staff. Sometimes the growth and ideas can strike a sense of terror due to the size of the staff, and financial limits of the Town, and it is wise to consolidate and think creatively whenever possible; 3.) a sense of appreciation: for both the Town and County staff, who do such tremendous work. Chair Dorosin said it is an opportune time for the two boards to converse. 1. Opportunities for Collaboration a) Museum Margaret Hauth, Hillsborough Assistant Town Manager, reviewed the following information: Museum Background: The Town has an interest in assisting the Orange County Historical Museum to find a new home. This is in part to find a more appropriate owner of this historic building and in part to help the museum reach a broader audience with an easier-to-access site. The County has office rearrangements on the horizon that might make a desirable space available in a year to 18 months. An arrangement like the one between the Alliance and the County for the Visitor 2 Center is one option to be considered. Whether this can expand into the cultural/genealogy center the County has envisioned may also be worth studying. Margaret Hauth said the Town has an interest in finding a new home for the current museum that is more accessible. She said the Town would like to know if the County may have a more desirable space in the near future, and staff will need direction from both boards as to how to proceed. Town Commissioner Ferguson said she is excited about this collaboration. She said she is inspired by a small museum in Oneonta, Alabama that captures a sense of place like no other to the extent that she has even become a member of this museum. She said this museum partners with the Register of Deeds, leading the county’s efforts for genealogy and historical activities. She said Orange County could have such a museum, if the right location can be found with the right display cases. She said she hopes the County will partner with the Town on this project, as it has great potential and is an important piece of the Town. Commissioner Rich said the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has not discussed this topic in any detail, and asked if County staff could provide some insight about the County’s involvement, and exactly what type of collaboration is needed. Jeff Thompson, Asset Management Services Director, said the staff is talking and sharing ideas at a high level about needs, availabilities, and directions, in which, both the Town and the County are moving. He said this evening provides an opportunity for further discussion. Commissioner Rich asked if there is a vision for what the museum will look like, if there is an end game in mind. Jeff Thompson said there is the heritage exhibit in the Orange County library, and there is the museum in downtown Hillsborough that is in a stressed situation. He said there has been discussion of the merging of these two places somewhere in the vicinity of where they are currently located. He said the discussions revolve around the content inside the building, and the location of the building itself. Chair Dorosin said the County and the Town could collectively decide what this collaboration looks like. Town Commissioner Bell said the strategy map says that the celebration of history is valued in Hillsborough, and a museum is an important part of that conversation. He said the museum is going through a top-to-bottom review of its strategies, and what opportunities may exist. Bonnie Hammersley said she and Commissioner Price toured the museum a while ago, and the condition of the current facility is not good. She said the museum has approached the County seeking to work together. She said staff has reviewed the available County space, but none is available now. She said the question remains whether the Town and the County should continue to partner, or does Hillsborough go off on its own. She said this conversation has been going on for a while. Commissioner Marcoplos referred to the museum in Alabama, and clarified that the Register of Deeds is a partner in the process there. Commissioner Ferguson said the Register of Deeds works collaboratively with the museum in Alabama. She said the Probate Judge pays the salary of the docent, and the museum is across the street from the courthouse and the Register of Deeds. She said the museum is very small, but the way it is laid out is different: there are maps, display cases, places to do research and there is an active collaborative relationship with the Register of Deeds, which encourages the genealogy activity, as well as other historical activities. 3 Commissioner Marcoplos said Mark Chilton, Orange County Register of Deeds, is an historian, and has just completed a project on slave genealogy. He asked asked if Mark Chilton has been brought into this discussion. Town Commissioner Ferguson said she is not sure, but this seems like a logical match. She said the museum is aware of Mark Chilton. Mayor Stevens said it is evident that the current status quo cannot continue, as there are insufficient resources, and the building is not worth restoring. He said there is no definite plan, but there is a lot of opportunity, and there may be other potential partners out there. He said the goal is for this to be a community process and project, and that is why this topic was brought forward. He said history is important to them all, and this topic cannot be kicked down the road for much longer. Commissioner Burroughs said she took a tour of the Register of Deed’s office, and Mark Chilton showed her historical documents. She encouraged his inclusion in these conversations. Commissioner Rich said she spent a year on a work group that focused on what a museum looks like in a town, within her role as BOCC liaison to the Visitors’ Bureau. She said a report was completed and asked staff if this report could be forwarded to the Town of Hillsborough. Chair Dorosin asked if the Town currently has a fiscal relationship with the museum. Margaret Hauth said the Town maintains the building, and makes it available to the museum at a rate of $1 per year, which is never collected. She said maintenance of this building ranges from $5,000-$15,000 per year. Commissioner Rich asked if the Town does fundraising to pay the museum staff. Town Commissioner Ferguson said it is not the Town’s museum. She said their salaries and operations budget are all fund raised; and the Town contribution is the building and the maintenance of the building only. Bonnie Hammersley said the County supports the museum through the yearly outside agency funding process. Commissioner Price said the museum is a good resource, an asset to the Town, and for all of Orange County. She said she is supportive of any help that Orange County would like to provide the museum. Chair Dorosin said it is important to think of this as a countywide museum, and asked if there is a timeline. Mayor Stevens said the Town received a presentation last fall from the museum board, which highlighted their needs. He said the goal tonight was to bring awareness to both boards, and he is not sure of a specific timetable. He said the museum wants to engage the whole community, and the Town and the BOCC are part of that engagement. He said he wants to see the two boards make a commitment of interest, and allow staff to continue the conversations. Town Commissioner Bell said he would like to see a commitment to socialize a variety of ideas. Commissioner Price said he spoke with Ernest Dollar, Museum Director, a few months ago, and he wanted to know if the County had any interest in being a partner with the museum. She said the building has been in dire condition for a long time, and has been shut down on various occasions. Commissioner Marcoplos said he has some ideas, and asked if there is a way to transmit them. Bonnie Hammersley said staff will take notes, and assign County staff to move forward with Town staff. 4 Chair Dorosin said to forward any ideas to staff, including reaching out to the Register of Deeds, the library, the Historic Preservation Commission, etc. b) Downtown Redevelopment Margaret Hauth reviewed the following information: Background: The Town and County both own properties downtown that may become available for redevelopment or sale in the next five years or so. A map of the properties is attached. Previously, both boards have indicated an interest in working together on how the properties are disposed or redeveloped. Should the Town and County pursue a joint effort to determine mutually desirable timing and uses for these properties using a small area plan process? Options for that format are: staff meeting to offer options or a short-term committee with elected officials and staff? Margaret Hauth said both entities have parcels downtown that they want to return to the tax roll. She referred to the map in the packet at their places. She said the Town owns the fire department building, but a third entity owns the parking lot. She said this meeting provides a good opportunity to further this discussion. Chair Dorosin asked if the specific parcels could be identified. Margaret Hauth said the museum, the annex, the police department and a portion of the parking lot, 129 E. King, the current detention center, the fire department and parking lot. Mayor Stevens asked if the timeframe for the Town’s properties could be identified, as they are tied into the Town’s whole campus. Margaret Hauth said the Town is currently renovating the Singer Gatewood medical/ dental building, which will hopefully be completed by the end of the year. She said the Town’s finance offices will move from the annex building to this new location. She said some police will go into the annex, until the combined police and fire station can be built next to the medical building on north Churton Street. She said the fire department and Emergency Services are pursuing the building of a fire station in Waterstone. She said these two fire stations would have to come on-line at the same time in order to have sufficient coverage, or the one in downtown needs to remain. She said there is a 3-5 year timeframe on these projects. Margaret Hauth said the Town’s properties that are listed for redevelopment are more valuable as a package than individually. She said she would recommend selling these properties together, on a preserve ownership of some of the parking to insure that it is not built on. Commissioner Price said she heard a rumor that the police station would be deconstructed. Margaret Hauth said the only plans for this building are to move out of it. Mayor Stevens said it may take at least 3-5 years before the properties are turned over, and he said the general notion is that these buildings will be redeveloped. He said the Town needs the proceeds from these sales to fund other projects. He said changes in downtown would have to go before the historic commission, but could offer a big potential upgrade for the Town. He said the County properties are an unknown to the Town, and that is part of the discussion the Town hopes to have tonight. Town Commissioner Weaver said doors need to be kept wide open because revenue is needed for other projects, and going forward she would like to make the RFPs inviting, such as adding affordable housing, etc. 5 Jeff Thompson said that 129 King Street is a part of the Capital Investment Plan (CIP ) process, and there have not been any serious discussions about its future, should the BOCC decide to relocate the public defender from this property to the lower level of the Link Center. Jeff Thompson said the detention center is being studied, and moving through the due diligence. He said this will go back to the Town board, and then to the BOCC. He said this is a 2-3 year process for that parcel to vacate. Jeff Thompson said the courthouse annex is also on that parcel, and does not necessarily have to vacate, but it does make sense to study it. He said there has been little discussion of what would follow, but any conversations will be thoughtful and deliberate. Commissioner Price referred to the block in orange on the map, which contains the Norwood law office, and asked if this is in the County’s jurisdiction. Jeff Thompson said that is owned by the County, and it is a historical site. He said all of this would be considered in any redevelopment plan. He said it would follow the Hillsborough jurisdiction’s rules and regulations, but is a County owned property. c) Sidewalks - Connectivity Plans Margaret Hauth reviewed the following information: The Town can require sidewalks within its planning jurisdiction. When those sidewalks are on state roads outside the city limits, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will not allow them to be constructed in the right of way without a maintenance commitment by the government. Previous discussions have not come to a resolution about how to address maintenance of sidewalks outside the Town limits. A method to implement these plans for the benefit of the community that leverages each government’s strengths and works within the jurisdictional and funding constraints is desired. Margaret Hauth said the Boards talked about these two years ago, and she reviewed the links to the plans. She said the Town wants to have sidewalks connecting all of the schools to the Town, but some schools are outside of the Town limits. She said there has never been any resolution on this issue. Town Commissioner Ferguson said Town residents should be taken care of first. Town Commissioner Bell said he sees kids walking on the side of roads, and the lack of sidewalks is an issue. He said he would serve on a taskforce to address this. Commissioner McKee asked if the amount of funding needed for such a project is known. Margaret Hauth said the amount depends on whether discussing construction and/or maintenance. Commissioner McKee said both. Margaret Hauth said it would be about 2 miles to connect to Cedar Ridge, and the middle and high school on Orange High Road. Margaret Hauth said she is assuming that the elementary and middle schools on NC 86 south are not being included. Commissioner McKee said that was his next question. Margaret Hauth said she makes this assumption as these schools are approaching the rural buffer, outside water and sewer service area, etc. She said it may be 2.5 miles if including these schools. Commissioner McKee asked if this was in total, or just one way, as Cedar Ridge High School is about 2 miles out Orange Grove Road. 6 Margaret Hauth said there are developments that will be building sidewalks almost out to the I-85 overpass. Commissioner McKee said he envisions this costing millions of dollars. Mar garet Hauth said pricing has not been looked into, as it seemed wise to resolve the issue of maintenance first. Jeff Thompson said the Cameron Street sidewalk, which was about 300 feet, cost $53,000. Eric Peterson said the Nash Street sidewalk project, about 10 years ago, was about $100,000 per tenth of a mile, including curb and gutter. He said there is a wide window of cost, as unexpected problems arise. He said retrofitting sidewalks is extremely expensive. Town Commissioner Weaver asked if there are other options besides a full-blown sidewalk. Margaret Hauth said that depends on where you are, and getting residents to grant easements. She said the Nash Street project was so expensive because it was in the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) right of way on an NCDOT street, and everything had to be completed to NCDOT standards. She said Orange Grove Road, Orange High Road, and NC 86 are all state roads, and it may be worth checking with adjoining neighbors to explore alternatives. She said curb and gutter are expensive, as storm water becomes an issue. Commissioner Marcoplos said he drives Orange Grove Road a lot, and he would like to see an area wide enough for bikes and pedestrians to co-exist. Margaret Hauth said it is all about costs, and Orange Grove and St. Mary’s roads are very old. She said NCDOT does not claim ownership of the right of way, but rather claims maintenance right of way from the back of one ditch to the other, as most property lines go to the middle of the road. She said there is no room to put in any improvements unless you get easements from residents, and that drives up the cost. Commissioner Rich said the County does not build sidewalks, and does not have a sidewalk plan, but they need to see what a plan looks like before partnering any further. She said she would like to know Hillsborough’s plan as well. Margaret Hauth said Orange County has a high level plan, and she said the interests overlap outside the city limits. Tom Altieri, Orange County Comprehensive Planning Supervisor, said there is just the Comprehensive Transportation Plan at the Durham Chapel Hill Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO), and there is also one that applies to the rural areas with the Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization (TARPO). He said it is part of the County’s transit plan as relates to access to bus stops, but the primary question is one of maintenance. Margaret Hauth said the Town has no intention of putting a sidewalk on both sides of every existing street in Hillsborough. She said new sidewalks are required in new developments. Commissioner Rich asked Tom Altieri if he could highlight past conversations with DOT about Orange Grove Road. Tom Altieri said there is a small project to add fencing on the bridge overpass, and DOT would encourage people to walk closer to the fence. He said that project will go in very soon, and DOT said the bridge is not safe to walk on. He said the fence will make it safer, but DOT did not want to be seen as encouraging walkers. Craig Benedict, Planning Director, said when the County did the Orange Grove Road Access Management plan, the County lobbied DOT to put in a pedestrian bridge there, but it was a bridge to nowhere, due to a lack of sidewalks to which to connect, and that was ten years ago. He said if bus stops exist, a request can be made to build sidewalks to connect neighborhoods to those bus stops. He said transit tax funds can be used for this purpose. Commissioner Rich asked if Orange County would maintain the sidewalks. 7 Craig Benedict said that would have to be determined. He said what he just mentioned addresses the capital side of the costs. He said before DOT would allow access to its right of way, it would require a maintenance entity. Stephanie Trueblood, Hillsborough Public Spaces Director, said one other project that has arisen in the past, which may be more low-hanging fruit than Orange Grove Road, is making a connection on highway 70 between Eno Haven and the Orange County Sportsplex. She said there is one very small piece of missing sidewalk, and she thinks adjacent property owners would grant right of way. She said this is within the Town limits, but County partnership would still likely be needed. She said this may be a good starting point for collaboration, with shared funding and maintenance, as this sidewalk would directly connect people with a County facility. Commissioner Price said she and Commissioner Jacobs have spoken about this, and petitioned the BOCC on this in recent months. Mayor Stevens said the maintenance costs are the bigger issue. He said connectivity is important to the Town, but it becomes an issue of bandwidth for the Town. He said there are some ways to collaborate and find connections to the schools. d) Affordable Housing Sherrill Hampton, Housing Director, reviewed the information below: The Town of Hillsborough and Orange County are engaged in a number of strategic collaborative initiatives in an effort to enhance affordable housing opportunities in the Town and County. Several of these initiatives are included below: • Senior staff from Hillsborough and County senior staff, along with their respective counterparts from the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill meet monthly to review, discuss and share ideas on various affordable housing activities and other related matters. One such initiative is Housing for Teachers and Other Community Workers. The discussion between the jurisdictions are in the very early stages but staff have begun the due diligence as it relates to best practices being utilized in other communities across North Carolina and the United States. • Hillsborough Senior staff, along with senior staff from the County and the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill, also meets monthly with the County Manager and various Town Managers to continue strategic discussions around areas of collaboration and those matters that have a countywide relevance for all County residents. • In October and November 2017, Orange County, along with the Towns of Hillsborough, Carrboro and Chapel Hill’s local elected officials, expanded the role of the HOME Review Committee to include broader discussions regarding affordable housing and related matters. The action taken also renamed the Committee as the Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative (the Collaborative). The expansion of the role of the Committee and creation of the newly named body was in direct response to elected officials and Orange County residents’ desire for jurisdictions in the County to take a more strategic and collaborative approach as it relates to enhancing affordable housing opportunities. Residents’ suggestions for the more collaborative and strategic approach was articulated during many of the public meetings that were held in regard to the 2016 Affordable Housing Bond. Sherrill Hampton said the Mobile Home Park Initiative is another area of collaboration. Town Commissioner Ferguson said she is interested in the teacher and community service worker housing, and asked if any preliminary parcels have been identified in Hillsborough. 8 Sherrill Hampton said both Superintendents were in the meeting, and one parcel was mentioned. She said she is not at liberty to send this out now, but when ready she will let the Manager pass on this information. Town Commissioner Ferguson said she is very glad this need is being considered, and she hopes that something comes of it. Commissioner McKee asked if new developments are required to provide a certain percentage of affordable housing. Margaret Hauth said the Town does not have a policy for affordable housing, but it negotiates case by case with each developer. She said there is no overall percentage, and it is different for each development with some providing acreage and others provide payment in lieu. Sherrill Hampton said one of the topics that came up in the collaborative meeting were standards of requirements for affordable housing throughout the jurisdictions, as well as transit as it relates to affordable housing. Commissioner McKee said it is encouraging to hear that all are working collaboratively, as this makes more sense and should lead to greater results. Mayor Stevens said his board values affordable housing, but Hillsborough only has a major development every 6 years or so, and it has seemed better to take each development as it comes, as opposed to setting a particular standard. Mayor Stevens said affordability is one of the issues that will be the Town’s greatest challenges going forward. Commissioner Rich asked if the Town’s affordable housing negotiations include the requirement of the same amenities as regular housing receives. Margaret Hauth said yes, as much as possible. Commissioner Rich asked if the Town’s affordable housing include some units that are ADA compliant. Margaret Hauth said that is more from the provider’s viewpoint, and the Town does not have any specifics like that in its ordinance. e) Parks Margaret Hauth reviewed the following information: Background: Orange County has expressed an interest in forging partnerships with Town governments to leverage investments in park creation. The Town is interested in acquiring an existing private facility and expanding the scope of services available to the whole community. A partnership with the County may help this project occur on a quicker schedule. Margaret Hauth said the Exchange Club approached the Town two years ago, and expressed some interest in transferring ownership of the park to the Town. She said a financial agreement has yet to be reached. She said the park has some significant needs, but would be a good location for basketball courts, a skate park, and disc golf. She said the Town does not have the resources for this acquisition, and hopes there may be some way to share the financial burden of building this park with the County. Chair Dorosin asked if more specifics could be provided about the park. Stephanie Trueblood said the pool is a separate parcel, and the Hillsborough Youth Athletic Association (HYAA) leases the baseball fields. She said the Town is talking about the green space between the pool and the building, which includes: a parking lot, restrooms, picnic shelter, and a run down play structure, totaling about 6 acres. She said there may be more space on the other side of a creek, which would lend itself to a disc golf area, mountain biking 9 trails, or natural trails. She said the Town’s Parks and Recreation board has been interested in a skate park for some time, and after evaluating several sites, the Exchange Club site is at the top of the list. She said adolescents are underserved in Orange County as a whole, not just in Hillsborough. Town Commissioner Bell said he is a member of the Town’s Parks and Rec board, and at a recent meeting several families came to speak in favor of areas to serve adolescents. He said it was very compelling. Commissioner Burroughs said park needs would need to be prioritized, to determine what the County can afford. Commissioner Price said budgets are under stress, but when she sees young people just hanging out in parking lots, she is supportive of having a space for them. Town Commissioner Ferguson echoed this, and said the Town looks at the livability for all of its residents, and teenagers that are bored do not always have a good outcome. She said this facility would have the opportunity to open doors, and helps residents in the long term. 2. Collins Ridge Update (Orange County Schools Transportation Concerns) Margaret Hauth reviewed the following information: Background: The Town continues to encourage the developer of Collins Ridge to address the concerns raised by Orange County Schools’ transportation staff about bus stops, turning radii, and access to the neighborhood. Clearing of the property has not yet begun. The Town estimates it may be about 18 months before there are residents in the neighborhood. The development will phase over time to comply with erosion control recommendations about limiting the amount of grading. The development has also committed to bus stops for public transit. The Town is available and anxious to discuss these locations with Orange County Transportation staff at the appropriate time. Margaret Hauth said the developer has committed to public transit access through the neighborhood, and if the Town wants the circulator to run through here, the developer will provide bus stops. Commissioner Rich asked if it will be 18 months before anything starts, or just until building starts. Margaret Hauth said there is a lot of dirt to move, and it will be 18 months before vertical construction begins. Commissioner Rich asked if the effect on Churton Street is known. Margaret Hauth said the goal is to try to balance the site with the dirt, thus keeping it on site, and the developer hopes to have a second point of access. Commissioner Rich asked what happened to the baseball site that was there. Margaret Hauth said that is on the site that the Town owns, where the train station will go, and play will continue until the Town is ready to move forward with the train station. Chair Dorosin clarified that in 18 months construction will begin on the buildings. Margaret Hauth said that is a ballpark timeframe. Chair Dorosin asked if it is known when people will start moving in. Margaret Hauth said the process takes about 6 months. Chair Dorosin said about 2 years in total. Commissioner Marcoplos asked Bonnie Hammersley if building inspectors are being added in anticipation of this development. 10 Bonnie Hammersley said this change was made in last year’s budget. Margaret Hauth said she gives the chief building inspector an annual projection on building activity. Chair Dorosin referred to the schools, and said the Orange County Schools’ board is feeling frustrated. He asked if there is an expectation of collaboration with the schools. Margaret Hauth said it is her impression that the designers are accommodating the design aspects: the turning radius, where access points and bus stops are, etc. Patrick Abele, Chief Operations Officer for Orange County Schools (OCS), said the schools have been trying to monitor the operations of this development, and safety is of utmost concern. He said on street parking is one concern, and the street widths and sizes are important. He said the turnaround points and phasing may present some difficulties in moving buses within the neighborhood. He said feedback has been provided to the developer. He said buses are getting larger, in order to have greater capacity, and the neighborhoods need to accommodate this. He said the schools have worked closely with the developer to identify school bus stops that can be communicated to the neighbors and homeowners, so that children can be safe walking to the stops. He said another concern is the traffic in the area. He said 4 buses are anticipated being needed to serve this neighborhood. He said some creativity will be needed to serve this neighborhood. 3. Economic Development a) Town/County Perspectives on Economic Development (Short/Mid/Long Term Plans and Mutual Objectives) Margaret Hauth reviewed the following information: The Town does not have an adopted economic development plan or policy. However, the Town has consistently striven to maintain its tax base mix which is roughly 60% residential and 40% non-residential. Additionally, the Town Board has been increasingly interested in compact and connected development. The adoption of the Urban Services Boundary was a strong step in that direction and the Town Board has been committed to that boundary. The Town Board has also discouraged three different residential developers with potential projects within the boundary from pursuing requests for utilities or annexation at present as they were still located rather far from the core of town and were therefore less desirable. The focus of the Town’s economic development planner has been to respond to inquiries for new non-residential space and attempt to match users with available spaces, assist applicants navigating the planning processes, increase visibility of local events, and work with the chamber on growing its membership and serving as a voice for local business. The County has been working with the Town of Hillsborough on extending utility service to the Hillsborough Economic Development District. As part of the Utility Extension Agreement with the Town, McAdams Engineering has been retained to design the extension of sewer through the northwest to southwest quadrant of I-40 and Old NC 86. The infrastructure also includes a water loop system from Old NC 86 westward to improve water quality, quantity and pressure in the general area. The design is 95% complete with bids and construction later this year. Mayor Stevens said the Town has tried to maintain a 40% commercial base within the Town. He said the Town has recently added an Economic Development Planner to its staff, and noted that tourism is big for Hillsborough. 11 Travis Myren reviewed the following information: Orange County Economic Development and Planning, in collaboration with Town of Hillsborough, have also submitted a grant request to the Golden Leaf Foundation for partial funding of the utility extension. More information regarding grant awards is expected in mid- April of 2018. Over the past 12 months, Orange County Economic Development responded to 14 separate investment prospect inquiries (light industrial, commercial, hotel, and warehouse) by submitting real estate data on available sites and commercial buildings in the Hillsborough market, to include Settlers Point, and generated 9 actual prospect visits during 2017. Several of these projects remain active. Throughout 2017, Orange County Economic Development managed the County’s “Small Busine ss Loan” program to 6 existing businesses in Hillsborough, which comprised 77% of the County’s total small business loan activity for the year. Local Hillsborough businesses that are currently receiving the County’s financial support include: Accidental Baker, Bacon Meat Market, Beau Catering, The Cherry Peal/Cup A Joes, Seal The Season, & MasterPeace Barbershop. Over the past 12 months, the County also approved “Small Business Investment Grants” to 5 local Hillsborough small businesses, which comprised 37% of the County’s total business grant activity for the year. The Hillsborough based grant recipients were: Judit Beres, Kyooks, Boro Beverage, Beau Catering & Cardinal Workshop. And for the same period, the County also approved “Agriculture Economic Development Grants” to 2 local Hillsborough-based businesses, representing 32% of the County’s total agriculture grant activity for the year: Patrick Purcell, & Garland Gourmet Mushrooms and Truffles. Chair Dorosin said this is a big issue, and the County would like to see collaborative opportunities. He said the discussions regarding the Settlers’ Point development included resident concerns about development in the area. Chair Dorosin asked if the Town is at 40% commercial. Margaret Hauth said it is closer to 50/50, depending on how the tax-exempt properties are accounted for. Mayor Stevens said all areas of the Town are being considered. He said there are many business parks within the Town’s jurisdiction that have a positive impact, though not always seen. He reviewed various commercial entities within the jurisdiction, as well as areas that would benefit from improved connectivity. Commissioner Price asked if the Hillsborough board could share its feelings about Settlers’ Point in reference to Daniel Boone, as she has heard people complaining about the negative impact on Daniel Boone Village. Mayor Stevens said it is a concern, and one of the things about Orange County, in general, is that long-term sustainable businesses are desired. He said Greenfields had an impact, and pulled residents there for services/business. He said the concern is that Hillsborough has done some economic development studies, which are taken with a grain of salt, and there is room for additional grocery stores and retail in Town, which can serve a broad section of the community; and a major shopping center that is on the edge of Town is a 12 concern. He said it is not a hard line, but there is concerns about the potential impact of the Town, and whether a desire for immediate commercial growth will ultimately hurt the overall economic growth of the Town. Commissioner Price asked if Margaret Hauth is working with Steve Brantley. Margaret Hauth said it is up to the property owner as to what uses are brought forward, especially in district 2 of Settlers’ Point. She said all are supportive of district 1, but the retail component of district 2 is more challenging. She said the Town has shared its interests and concerns with the developer, and if what the developer says will come to pass actually does; there should be no negative impact on Daniel Boone. Town Commissioner Lloyd said the Town has tried to bring some commercial entities to Waterstone, but the developers keep bringing in more townhouses; and thus what is happening in Settlers’ Point should not have a negative effect on Daniel Boone. She said she is also concerned about all of the bars downtown, and people need somewhere to actually shop. She said the Town is turning into townhouses, bars and traffic. Town Commissioner Ferguson said her concern is that it will not just be the transient commercial retailers going in to Settlers’ Point, but rather local residents will go there, and there is not connectivity, walkways, etc. She said this is potentially very dangerous. Town Commissioner Weaver said connectivity and walkability is so integral to everything they do in Hillsborough and the planning and zoning aspect is one of the few things the Town can control. She said it is important for the people that live here to be able to walk or bike to the places they need the most, in order to alleviate traffic. Mayor Stevens said the Town has sat down with the developers, and it is not a matter of refusing retail, it is a question of what kind of retail will be brought in to Settlers’ Point. He said the Town has acquired land on either side of I-85, with the long-term vision of making some type of pedestrian/bike connection. b) Extension of Water/Sewer Boundary in Economic Development District Mayor Stevens said the Town is willing to extend the water and sewer boundary, with commercial growth in mind. Mayor Stevens said the staff and the Board of County Commissioners have been very responsive to considering the Town’s concerns about Settlers’ Point. Margaret Hauth reviewed the information below: The Town conducted its public hearing on designating the 85-acre extension to the water and sewer boundary on February 15, 2018. The mutually agreed land use designation proposed was Suburban Office. The Orange County Planning Board has deferred action on recommending a new land use on the expanded Water and Sewer boundary area. Similarly, the Board of Orange County Commissioners has requested a delay in considering the proposal pending further study. Orange County planning staff is planning an open house ‘Planning 101’ meeting for County residents, in general, to explain the various elements of planning. This is not specific to the area but maybe helpful to many new and existing residents in Orange County. Margaret Hauth said the Town agreed to the extension because it was a request from Orange County, and this evening allows one last check in before more public involvement. Travis Myren said after hearing from the public, the Board of County Commissioners took a pause on affixing a land use. He said the public voiced concerns about the public notification process, and thus staff is doing some public education before moving on. Town Commissioner Ferguson asked if this parcel of land is built out more, with water and sewer, will it still be zoned suburban office, employment based, and not residential. 13 Travis Myren said yes. Mayor Stevens said it would also not be zoned for retail. He said the Town has already extended the water and sewer boundary agreement, contingent on the land use agreement. Margaret Hauth said the Town held the public hearing about designating the future land use, and it is cued up for the board to make a decision by the end of March. She said if the BOCC may not go forward with this land use designation, then the Town board can stop its process, and let the water and sewer boundary amendment lapse. She said this is not necessarily a recommendation, but is just another option for moving forward. Chair Dorosin said the pause does not imply that the proposal has been abandoned, but rather is due to what the BOCC heard in the public hearing about the lack of adequate public notification, what was happening and what could happen. He said the pause is to look at this again, and determine how to better communicate with the residents. He said the economic development use is still the model for this parcel, but the BOCC would like to start the community engagement and education process anew. He said part of the problem is that the district was set up a long time ago, and then nothing happened. Commissioner Burroughs said the public is now informed, and a long pause is not necessary, and suggested that the process keeps moving forward at a reasonable pace. Mayor Stevens said this item will come to the Town board at the end of March, and suggested that the Town go ahead and continue their process. Town Commissioner Bell said because the County has paused, it has deescalated the importance from the Town’s perspective, and he suggested waiting to hear from the County. May or Stevens said one option is for the Town to proceed, which would involve another public hearing Margaret Hauth said if the Town does not continue the process, then enough time would pass where the Town would have to re-conduct the public hearing. Town Commissioner Mark Bell said he is hearing that the County may pause for a while, and another public hearing may be needed 1 to 4 quarters from now, which would just be an extra hour of their joint time, which is not an impactful burden. Travis Myren said the County would intend to complete the additional public education over the summer, and be ready to continue the process in the fall. Mayor Stevens asked if the preference would be for the Town to continue. Travis Myren said yes. Margaret Hauth asked if the Town board wants to proceed with the process at the end of March. The Town Board agreed to proceed with its processes. Commissioner Rich said she got a call from a resident in Waterstone, who asked if the “W elcome to Hillsborough” sign could be moved further toward the Waterstone area, or if additional signs could be put up to make more people feel welcome as they enter the area. Margaret Hauth said the sign was nowhere near the Town limits when it was built, but it was a convenient location and there was a willing property owner. She said staff will review this, but that is an old sign, and is probably too old and too heavy to move. She said it has to go on private property, and not in the right of way, and if staff receives direction to work on this, staff would find locations to put additional signs. Commissioner Marcoplos said Commissioner Jacobs is receiving the Sportswriter of the Year award tonight in Raleigh, and was unable to attend this meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m. Mark Dorosin, Chair 14 Donna Baker Clerk to the Board