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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 09-09-2025; 9 - Hillsborough Planning Board – Appointment Discussion 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 9, 2025 Action Agenda Item No. 9 SUBJECT: Hillsborough Planning Board — Appointment Discussion DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Recommendation Clerk's Office, 919-245-2125 Members and Applicants Summary Sheet Application for Person Recommended Application of Other Applicant Membership Roster Applicant Interest List PURPOSE: To discuss an appointment to the Hillsborough Planning Board. BACKGROUND: The Hillsborough Planning Board acquires and maintains information in order to understand past trends, prepares and amends and amend the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the area, and prepares and recommends ordinances promoting orderly development. Since this is not a County board, the Hillsborough Planning Board does not submit an Annual Work Plan. The Board of County Commissioners appoints two (2) members residing in the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). The following individual is recommended for Board consideration: NAME POSITION TYPE OF EXPIRATION DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT DATE TERM Jeanette Hillsborough ETJ First Full Term 10/31/2028 Bene reappointment If the individual listed above is appointed, the following vacancy remains: POSITION EXPIRATION VACANCY INFORMATION DESIGNATION DATE Hillsborough ETJ 10/31/2027 Vacant since 10/31/2024. 2 FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GUIDING PRINCIPLE — INCLUSIVITY AND ENGAGEMENT We foster an environment in which all are welcomed, represented, and empowered to participate in and feel connected to their community. • GUIDING PRINCIPLE — DEDICATION AND RESPECT We commit to our roles in public service and organizational excellence by fostering the skills, talents, and innovation of our residents, employees, volunteers, and boards needed to carry out this work. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss an appointment to the Hillsborough Planning Board. 3 RESOLUTION#20250811-5.A Sb_0/Z O� RESOLUTION Requesting a Reappointment to the Hillsborough Planning Board o 17 ' `5k, Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Seat STH C N WHEREAS, on March 7, 2024, Jeanette Benjey of 708 Cloverfield Drive was appointed to an extraterritorial jurisdiction seat on the Hillsborough Planning Board for a partial term ending October 31, 2025; and WHEREAS, Benjey is eligible for reappointment to her seat for a three-year term beginning November 1, 2025;and WHEREAS, pursuant to NC GS § 160D-307 (b) and Section 2.3.3 of the Hillsborough Unified Development Ordinance, the Orange County Board of Commissioners has the authority and responsibility to appoint extraterritorial jurisdiction members to the Hillsborough Planning Board; NOW,THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners: Section 1. The Town of Hillsborough respectfully requests that the Orange County Board of Commissioners reappoints Jeanette Benjey to an extraterritorial jurisdiction seat on the Hillsborough Planning Board for a three-year term beginning November 1, 2025. Section 2. Pursuant to NC GS § 160D-307 (b), if the Orange County Board of Commissioners does not act on this request within 90 days of receiving this resolution, then the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners may make the appointment. Section 3. Town staff shall send a copy of this resolution to Tara May, Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners. Section 4. This resolution shall become effective upon adoption. Approved this 11th day of August of the year 2025. �S 6 O R GMark Bell, Mayor Town of Hillsborough �4�, � Attestation: 5 �* ��_Zv�u Ty c Amo Sarah Kimrey,Town berk 4 Hillsborough Planning Board Members and Applicants _ Member or Applicant? Gender Identity Race/Ethnic Background Age Range Township Also Serves on Jeanette Benjey Member Female White 60+ Hillsborought VACANT Annette Moore Applicant Female African American 60+ Hillsborought 5 Page 1 of 3 Jeanette Benjey Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Mrs. Jeanette Benjey Name Called: Home Address: 708 Cloverfield Drive Hillsborough NC 27278 Phone: 919-308-5774 Email: jmbenjey@gmail.com Year of OC Residence: 2018 Township of Residence: Hillsborough Zone of Residence: Hillsborough ETJ Gender Identity: Female Ethnic Background: White Age Range: 60+ Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: Friends of the Orange Co. Library, Fellowship Board, United Church of Chapel Hill, Communications Coordinator, Greater Raleigh Alumnae Chapter of AGD Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: none Boards/Commissions applied for: Affordable Housing Advisory Board Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board I have a BA in Communications from Michigan State University. I owned my own advertising and graphic design business from 1977-2006. Although it is no longer an official LLC I still do graphic design work for several builders and real estate agents. I had a real estate license from 2000- 2022, worked for Keller Williams. I have designed and built two homes in the area working with engineers and architects. I also remodeled 3 homes, and owned 3 for rental investment. Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board I feel availability of affordable housing is one of the most important needs in our community and really everywhere. Builders build homes/townhomes at a marketing point where they can make the most profit. Understandable. But this leaves a great percentage of the population unable to afford their own home, no matter how small. This seems in conflict with our American dream. I would like to work with people to share ideas on how we can build homes (getting land the hard part), for the average hard-working American family. The pride of owning your own home is important for every family. It is so grounding and gives such a feeling of belonging. You can fix it the way you want it, you can feel that you have an investment in the American dream. I think it gives people a reason to want to succeed in life. How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? Not knowing anything about the current viewpoints, that is a bit hard to answer. But I may have some thoughts on ways to help build homes that are more affordable without sacrificing too much quality. I have a good sense of design, reading and fiddling with floor plans is one of my favorite hobbies. I think I can look at a design and make it efficient and accomplish practical 6 Page 2 of 3 Jeanette Benjey design even in a smaller space. I am also familiar with interior finishes, durable can still be attractive and affordable. The importance of placement of windows is also a big concern of mine. Good use (location) of storage is important and design that gives some privacy to family members. Discussion of one or two-story designs, duplex, triplex???Anything but big apartment buildings. Recreation areas and ways to make sure owners maintain their property without high or overly strict HOAs. 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? None Hillsborough Planning Board Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board BA in Communications/Advertising, Michigan State University Owner of Intensity Advertising and Marketing Graphic and ad designer for the Raleigh News and Observer Real Estate License 2000-2021, worked for Keller Williams Realty Designed and built two homes (Raleigh & Hillsborough) Landlord for 3 rental homes Experience with exterior and interior building materials Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board I have lived in Hillsborough almost 5 years. Unfortunately because of COVID I have not been able to meet as many people or be active in different groups. I like living here, but I see a lot of small and maybe larger improvements that would make this town more attractive and vibrant. I know a lot of people here go to other surrounding cities for a lot of reasons, would be nice if there was more stores here. Also I found there is a real lack in welcoming new residents and even harder to find out about local businesses. It got the feeling that if you aren t from these parts you don t need to know. How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? I don't know what viewpoints exist, so hard to say. But I am a very visual person and feel I could bring a new perspective to the overall ambiance of the town. It is easy to get used to living somewhere and take everything for granted, sometimes a new eye can be helpful. Not that so much needs changing, maybe just tweaking here and there! 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? None Boards/Commissions appointments: Other Comments: This application was current on: 4/18/2023 8:22:11 PM Date Printed: 4/20/2023 7 Page 3 of 3 Jeanette Benjey 8 Page 1 of 2 Annette Moore Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Ms. Annette Moore Name Called: Home Address: 610 Red Fox Trail Hillsborough NC 27278 Phone: 919-929-3366 Email: Resipsal208@aol.com Year of OC Residence: 1999 Township of Residence: Hillsborough Zone of Residence: Hillsborough ETJ Gender Identity: Female Ethnic Background: African American Age Range: 60+ Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: Orange County Dispute Settlement Center Board Member, Orange County Democratic Party (Hillsborough North Vice Chair Precinct), Forge Fencing Foundation, President; Girl Scout North Carolina Coastal Pines Board Development Committee, North Carolina State Bar, USA Fencing Member Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: None Boards/Commissions applied for: Board of Equalization and Review Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board I was the attorney for the Board of Equalization and Review. I am familiar with the law that governs tax and have experience dealing with tax matters. I took residential and commercial cases to the North Carolina Tax Commission for the County. In all instances, when going before the property tax commission, I tried to simplify the process for residents and to ensure that the property tax value as set was corrected even when the property value requested by the Taxpayer was incorrect. Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board I live in Orange County and am interested in tax law and ensuring that the law is administered fairly. How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? I am a black female lawyer. I believe that perspective would add value to the conversation. Also, when people of color came before the Board, they would see someone who looked like them as part of the decision-making body. I also know the law and would apply it fairly to all. In the past, that hasn t always happened. 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? 9 Page 2 of 2 Annette Moore N/A Hillsborough Planning Board Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board I was a local government lawyer who worked on land use law issues for over twenty years. I also worked on housing development and contracting. Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board I have lived in the Hillsborough ETJ since 1999 and am recently retired. I would love to continue to work in my community. How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? I think I bring a local government perspective to the Board. I also work at the General Assembly and see a lot of pushback at the legislature against local government regulation. I believe the government can work efficiently and still consider health, safety, and community standards. That is my perspective. 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? Boards/Commissions appointments: Other Comments: This application was current on: 7/12/2024 5:18:08 PM Date Printed: 7/15/2024 10 Board and Commission Members And Vacant Positions Hillsborough Planning Board (Hillsborough ETJ residents only) Meeting Times: 7:00 pm Third Thursday of each month Contact Person:Molly Boyle Meeting Place: Hillsborough Town Hall Annex Contact Phone: 919-296-9473 Positions: 2 Length:3 years Terms: 2 Description: <div>The Board of Commissioners appoints two residents of the Hillsborough Extraterritorial Jurisdiction to this board.This board acquires and maintains information in order to understand past trends,prepare and amend the comprehensive plan for the development of the area,and prepare and recommend ordinances promoting orderly development.</div> Mrs. Jeanette Benjey 1 First Appointed: 03/07/2024 Gender Identity: Female Township: Hillsborough Current Appointment: 03/07/2024 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Hillsborough ETJ Expiration: 10/31/2025 Age Range: 60+ Special Repr: County Number of Terms: VACANT 2 First Appointed: Gender Identity: Township: Current Appointment: Ethnic Background: Residency Req: Hillsborough ETJ Expiration: 10/31/2027 Age Range: Special Repr: County Number of Terms: Thursday,August 28,2025 Page 1 11 Applicant Interest Listing by Board Name and by Applicant Name Contact Person: Molly Boyle Hillsborough Planning Board (Hillsborough EZ'.l YBSI contact Phone: 919-296-9473 Ms. Annette Moore Gender Identity: Female Date Applied: 07/12/2024 Ethnic Background: African American Township: Hillsborough Age Range 60+ Zone of Residence: Hillsborough ETJ Also Serves On: Thursday,August 28,2025 Page 1 of 1