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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-09-2023; 11 - Orange County Board of Adjustment – Appointment Discussion 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 9, 2023 Action Agenda Item No. 11 SUBJECT: Orange County Board of Adjustment — Appointments Discussion DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Member and Applicant Summary Sheet Clerk's Office, 919-245-2125 Applications of Persons for Reappointment Application of Other Applicant Membership Roster Applicant Interest List PURPOSE: To consider appointments to the Orange County Board of Adjustment. BACKGROUND: The Board of Adjustment hears and decides on variance applications, appeals submitted related to official decisions/determinations made by the Planning Director, reviews and takes action on Class B Special Use Permit applications, as well as matters required to pass by the Unified Development Ordinance. The Board of County Commissioners appoints all seven (7) members. Due to the nature of its work, the Board of Adjustment does not make recommendations for appointment. The following individuals and position are presented for Board consideration: NAME POSITION TYPE OF EXPIRATION DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT DATE TERM Jeff Scott At-Large Second Full Term 06/30/2026 Elizabeth At-Large First Full Tem 06/30/2026 Bronson Reappointment BOCC Alternate First Full Term 06/30/2025 Appointee If the positions listed above are filled, no vacancies remain. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to this item: 2 • GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impact associated with this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss appointments to the Orange County Board of Adjustment. 3 Orange County Board of Adjustment Members and Applicants Name Member or Applicant? Gender Identity Race/Ethnic Background Age Range Township Also Serves on Adam Beeman Member Male White Cedar Grove Elizabeth Bronson Member Female White 18-34 Cheeks Jeff Scott Member Male White 35-59 Hillsborough Leon Meyers Member Male White Eno Nathan Robinson Member Male White 35-59 Bingham Roderick Jones Member Male African American 35-59 Hillsborough Scott Taylor Member Male White Hillsborough Susan Halkiotis Member Female White Hillsborough VACANT Greg Niemiroski Applicant Male White 35-39 Eno Affordable Housing Advisory Board Jenn Sykes Applicant Female Hispanic 35-59 Hillsborough Human Relations Commission Orange County Housing Authority Board 4 Page 1 of 2 Jeff Scott Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Mr. Jeff Scott Name Called: Home Address: 1520 Park Lane Hillsborough NC 27278 Phone: 919-815-8254 Email: jgscott0@gmail.com Year of OC Residence: 2014 Township of Residence: Hillsborough Zone of Residence: County Gender Identity: Male Ethnic Background: White Age Range: 35-59 Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: Hillsborough Planning Board AIA Triangle Design Awards Committee AIA National Advisory Panel AIA National Conference on Architecture Peer Reviewer AIA Triangle Education Outreach Committee Registered Architect in State of NC Member, Construction Specifications Institute Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: N/A Boards/Commissions applied for: Orange County Planning Board Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board I am currently an active member of the Hillsborough Planning Board. I have served on this board for 2-years and have enjoyed being a part of the process. I also have several years of architectural background in civic/justice projects at the state and local level. Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board As a resident of Hillsborough and Orange County for over 5-years, it is important to me to understand how I can help the community understand the process. The planning process can be confusing (even to me), so hearing everyone s thoughts and opinions are very helpful. I understand people s trepidation and concern about changes in this community. How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? Do you have any personal or business interest(s)that could create a conflict of interest (either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board? 5 Page 2 of 2 Jeff Scott Boards/Commissions appointments: Orange County Board of Adjustment Application Date: 8/10/2020 Background, education and experience relevant to this board: Having served in the Hillsborough Planning Board, I see the issues of concern when planning is at odds with the property owners. Typically this has always been something remedied without resorting to BOA but it seems like an interesting process. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: My architectural/planning background would help me in serving on this board. I also believe I have the fair and impartial temperament to serve. Having served as a project architect and manager for numerous projects, I see where conflicts come in and how t Conflict of Interest: Other Comments: This application was current on: 4/19/2021 Date Printed: 4/26/2023 6 Page 1 of 2 Elizabeth Bronson Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Elizabeth Bronson Name Called: Home Address: 1221 Buckhorn Rd Mebane NC 27302 Phone: 9199235136 Email: Beth.bronson@live.com Year of OC Residence: 1987 Township of Residence: Cheeks Zone of Residence: County Gender Identity: Female Ethnic Background: White Age Range: 18-34 Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: NC Democratic Party Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: none Boards/Commissions applied for: Orange County Planning Board (REQUIRES DISCLOSURE STATEMENT) Background, education and experience relevant to this board: Raised in Orange County, and returned over ten years ago to finish undergraduate degree. Obtained a BA from UNC-Chapel Hill in Management and Society and performed a case study on the public/private partnership of OWASA for a senior project. I have always been interested in the historical background of this area. I am very familiar with the centralized location of Orange County within the Triangle and Triad and the important role we play in setting precedents for responsible development in surrounding municipalities. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: It is my wish to serve, and represent, my community in an impactful capacity. I believe that younger generations are not adequately represented in local government and it is my goal to become a voice for civic engagement, even if the topics aren t sexy. Having spent the last 100 days deep diving into publicly available documents on future land use 5€" I have come to learn a great deal about the how the Planning Board advises County Commissioners to make decisions based on plans and objectives previously laid out, and incorporating public concerns. Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board: Understanding and communicating the viewpoints of others is a skillset of mine. Having always been interested in why people make the decisions they do, my profession requires me to find a data driven middle ground. I offer the fresh perspective of a rural resident who very much wants to see economic development bring prosperity to historically underserved communities. Conflict of Interest: My perceived COI is that I live in a rural residential area subject to industrial development. 7 Page 2 of 2 Elizabeth Bronson Orange County Board of Adjustment(REQUIRES DISCLOSURE STATEMENT) Background, education and experience relevant to this board: My educational focus provides insight into why people, in life and in business, make the decisions they do. My professional growth in clinical research has made me a rigorous seeker of truth and explanatory language. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: I would like to bring a fresh perspective to the BoA. While adhering to the As Orange County continues to largely decide objectives of future growth in height and urban sprawl is going to look, it is my intention to participate as a rural representative in whatever capacity I can serve. It is quite apparent that the pressures of local governance are to, above all else, place the interests of its constituents in the foreground of all decision making. My educational and professional background will aid County Commissioners in their deliberative process, and I will be able to carry out the necessary work required to make informed decisions. Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board: Understanding and communicating the viewpoints of others is a skillset of mine. Having always been interested in why people make the decisions they do, my profession requires me to find a data driven middle ground. I offer the fresh perspective of a rural resident who very much wants to see economic development bring prosperity to historically underserved communities. Conflict of Interest: My perceived COI is that I live in a rural residential area subject to industrial development. Boards/Commissions appointments: Other Comments: This application was current on: 2/11/2021 8:17:35 PM Date Printed: 2/15/2021 8 Page 1 of 3 Jenn Sykes Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Jenn Sykes Name Called: Home Address: 210 Collins Ave Hillsborough NC 27278 Phone: 9194428152 Email: sykes.jennifer@gmail.com Year of OC Residence: 2007 Township of Residence: Hillsborough Zone of Residence: Hillsborough Town Limits Gender Identity: Female Ethnic Background: Hispanic Age Range: 35-59 Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: Chair, Orange County Affordable Housing Advisory Board Vice Chair, Hillsborough Water and Sewer Advisory Board Co-Chair, West Hillsborough Democratic Party Precinct Treasurer, Progressive Democrats of Orange County Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: Affordable Housing Advisory Board Elections Advisory Group Orange Unified Transit Board Hillsborough Planning Board Hillsborough Board of Adjustment Hillsborough Water and Sewer Advisory Board Boards/Commissions applied for: Orange County Board of Adjustment (REQUIRES DISCLOSURE STATEMENT) Background, education and experience relevant to this board: I have just rolled off the Hillsborough Board of Adjustment and Planning Board and enjoy the work on that committee and would like to continue it with the county. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: I have just rolled off the Hillsborough Board of Adjustment and Planning Board and enjoy the work on that committee and would like to continue it with the county. Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board: I am familiar with how the process works in Hillsborough and can bring that to the other parts of the county. Conflict of Interest: 9 Page 2 of 3 Jenn Sykes Orange County Housing Authority Background, education and experience relevant to this board: I am on the Affordable Housing Advisory Board and this board has a similar role to that one. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: I am on the Affordable Housing Advisory Board and this board has a similar role to that one. Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board: I am on the Affordable Housing Advisory Board and this board has a similar role to that one. Conflict of Interest: Human Relations Commission Background, education and experience relevant to this board: My work on various advisory boards has focused on how policy can be used to create greater equity in the county, from development processes to working on partnerships for reducing costs to residents. I know the HRC has a larger platform to help encourage this sort of work. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: The HRC has a major platform in the county to advance social justice initiatives, particularly around equity and supporting those in the county who need it most. Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board: I grew up in EI Paso, Texas, where I saw how government can support people. Coming from a large city with a large minority population gives me a different perspective on equity than most people in Orange County have. Conflict of Interest: Boards/Commissions appointments: Affordable Housing Advisory Board Application Date: 1/21/2017 Background, education and experience relevant to this board: I have served on the Hillsborough Planning Board and live in a part of the county where gentrification and developer priorities have limited affordable housing. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: I live in an area where I m starting to see more and more people forced out of their homes and want to help them ensure their voice is heard. Orange County doesn t do the best job of encouraging people who might be in housing trouble to come forward, and Conflict of Interest: Orange Unified Transportation Board Application Date: 1/21/2017 Background, education and experience relevant to this board: I serve on the Hillsborough Planning Board and often sit in traffic in the county. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: The county needs more options in the northern part to help people get to and from homes and work. Conflict of Interest: 10 Page 3 of 3 Jenn Sykes BOCC Elections Advisory Group Application Date: 10/15/2020 Background, education and experience relevant to this board: I studied political science in undergraduate and graduate school, and have volunteered and worked in good government groups since 2005. 1 have both academic and practical knowledge about how districting impacts representation and governmental outcomes. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: When I was in undergrad I worked on fair-districting initiatives in the state I went to college in (Virginia), and in my time in Orange County while working as a precinct official have spent a lot of time explaining to voters who they were voting for and Conflict of Interest: Other Comments: This application was current on: 7/13/2022 Date Printed: 9/1/2022 11 Board and Commission Members And Vacant Positions Orange County Board of Adjustment Meeting Times: 7:00 pm Second Monday of every month Contact Person:Patrick Mallett Meeting Place: Whitted Building,Room 230 Contact Phone: 919-245-2577 Positions: 7 Length:3 years Terms: 2 Description: Members are appointed by the Board of Commissioners.The Board of Adjustments hears and decides on variance applications,appeals submitted related to official decisions/determinations made by the Planning Director,reviews and takes action on Class B Special Use Permit applications,as well as matters required to pass by the Unified Development Ordinance. Nathan Robinson 1 First Appointed: 03/16/2021 Gender Identity: Male Township: Bingham Current Appointment: 05/24/2022 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-large Expiration: 06/30/2024 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: Number of Terms: 1 Mr. Jeff Scott 2 First Appointed: 10/06/2020 Gender Identity: Male Township: Hillsborough Current Appointment: 10/06/2020 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-large Expiration: 06/30/2023 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: Number of Terms: 1 Leon Meyers 3 Chair First Appointed: 05/01/2018 Gender Identity: Male Township: Eno Current Appointment: 05/24/2022 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2025 Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms: 1 Mr. Greg Niemiroski 4 First Appointed: 09/20/2022 Gender Identity: Male Township: Eno Current Appointment: 09/20/2022 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-large Expiration: 06/30/2024 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: Number of Terms: Mr. Adam Beeman 5 First Appointed: 05/24/2022 Gender Identity: Male Township: Cedar Grove Current Appointment: 05/24/2022 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2024 Age Range: Special Repr: Alternate Number of Terms: Elizabeth Bronson 6 First Appointed: 03/16/2021 Gender Identity: Female Township: Cheeks Current Appointment: 05/24/2022 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-large Expiration: 06/30/2023 Age Range: 18-34 Special Repr: At-Large Number of Terms: Wednesday,April 26,2023 Page 1 12 Board and Commission Members And Vacant Positions Orange County Board of Adjustment Meeting Times: 7:00 pm Second Monday of every month Contact Person:Patrick Mallett Meeting Place: Whitted Building,Room 230 Contact Phone: 919-245-2577 Positions: 7 Length:3 years Terms: 2 VACANT 7 First Appointed: Gender Identity: Township: Current Appointment: Ethnic Background: Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2025 Age Range: Special Repr: Alternate Number of Terms: Wednesday,April 26,2023 Page 2 13 Applicant Interest Listing by Board Name and by Applicant Name Contact Person: Patrick Mallett Orange County Board of Adjustment Contact Phone: 919-245-2577 Jenn Sykes Gender Identity: Female Date Applied: 07/13/2022 Ethnic Background: Hispanic Township: Hillsborough Age Range: 35-59 Zone of Residence: Hillsborough Town Limits Also Serves On: Affordable Housing Advisory Board Also Serves On: Human Relations Commission Also Serves On: Orange County Housing Authority Wednesday,April 26,2023 Page 1 of 1