1992-10-16 Work Session
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION, OCTOBER 16, 1992
BOOK 23
PAGE 172
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Special
Session on Friday, October 16, 1992, at 9:45 A.M. in Room 501 of
the County Administration, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North
Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioner Fred Retchin
Commissioner William H. Sutton
Vice-Chairman Robert G. Greer
Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr.
Absent: Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Sr.
Chairman Mathews called the meeting to order and stated the
purpose of the Work Session is to discuss the 1991 CAMA Land Use
Plan Update. All persons present were welcomed.
PRESENTATION OF THE DRAFT 1991 WILMINGTON-NEW HANOVER COUNTY LAND
USE PLAN UPDATE
Planning Director, Dexter Hayes, commented on the 2 -year
process involved with updating the Land Use Plan and requested the
Assistant Planning Director, Patrick Lowe, to present the draft
plan.
The following report was presented:
The primary issue of concern from the citizens in the 1986
Land Use Plan was traffic and roads. In the proposed 1991
Land Use Plan Update, drinking water quality was the primary
issue with a great deal of concern expressed for
overdevelopment, pollution, and protection of the environment.
When these major issues were identified, the City and County
Planning Boards held several joint meetings and public
hearings to begin the drafting process. After holding 26
public meetings, there were approximately 12 issues that both
Planning Boards could not agree upon but with assistance from
the Home Builders Association and Coastal Federation (an
environmental group) joint proposals were presented and agreed
upon by both the City and County Planning Boards.
Several new policies along with implementation measures are
proposed in the 1991 Land Use Plan Update to provide creation
of strict ordinances to protect the drinking water quality and
surface water quality in the County's creeks and sounds.
The most far reaching changes regarding economic development
involve the use of designated commercial nodes. The policy
reads as follows:
"New commercial development projects shall be located at
designated commercial nodes which already contain
required public services. Depending on the type of
commercial node, they shall be located at designated
intersections where road capacity and design can safely
handle additional traffic and there is neighborhood
participation in the siting process."
This policy along with the others reflects the concern for
more efficiently provided public services, the desire for
aesthetically pleasing development, and discouragement of
commercial strip development.
The proposed draft has been submitted to the State for review
and comment. The State should forward its recommendations and
comments in late November with scheduling of the final Public
Hearing during the first part of January.
The following Land Classification Map changes were presented
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION, OCTOBER 16, 1992
BOOK 23
PAGE 173
according to the proposed 1991 Land Use Plan Update:
Area #1 Rural to Resource Protection: The Resource
Protection designation will help to protect groundwater from
potential sources of contamination which could result from the
development of intensive industrial uses which are permitted
within the Rural Classification. The reclassification will
continue to allow some commercial and industrial development
in the area as long as important resources are not adversely
impacted.
Area #2 - Transition to Limited Transition: The Coastal Area
Management Act (CAMA) Land Use Planning Guidelines now provide
for the Transition Classification to be split into two
distinct classes: Limited Transition and Urban Transition.
These Limited Transition areas were originally designated
Transition in the 1986 Land Use Plan and should experience
increased development. However, they will not be provided
wi th complete urban services necessary for higher density
development like that associated with the Urban Transition
Classification.
Area #3 - Transition to Urban Transition: These areas were
designated Transition in the 1986 Land Use Plan and are
expected to experience higher intensity development. These
Urban Transition areas either have urban services currently
available to them or they will be provided with the serVlces
required to support intensive future development.
Area #4 - Transition to Resource Protection: This change in
classification is intended to provide additional protection
for Howe Creek from further degradation which may be
attributed to higher density development. The Resource
Protection Classification, while allowing a variety of land
uses, requires consideration of the impacts which development
may have on the area's natural resources. This classification
allows residential development at a density no greater than
2.5 units per acre.
Area #5 - Transition to Resource Protection: These areas lie
wi thin the Hewlett's Creek and Bradley Creek watersheds.
Although development is expected to occur in these areas, the
Resource Protection Classification provides greater protection
for water quality in estuarine areas. While some commercial
and industrial land uses are not prohibited within the
Resource Protection Classification, their development must not
adversely impact important natural and cultural resources.
Area #6 - Transition to Urban Transition: These areas are
sui table for intensive urban development. Urban services have
been extended and development should occur without having any
significant negative impacts on the County's important
resources. Residential development over 2.5 units per acre is
suitable for these areas.
Area #7 - Transition to Limited Transition: These areas are
not suitable for intensive development because there are no
plans for connection to the County Sewer System. These areas
should continue to develop but at a lower density than that
associated with the Urban Transition Classification. Some
urban services may be provided in the areas if they are needed
to mitigate the impacts of development on the area's natural
resources.
Area #8 - Transition to Rural: These areas were previously
classified Transition but are no longer expected to be
connected to the County Sewer System. The Rural
Classification is typically reserved for areas with few known
sensitive resources and for this reason may be suitable for
development of industries which produce noxious by-products.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION, OCTOBER 16, 1992
BOOK 23
PAGE 174
In addition, low density dispersed residential units on large
lots with on-site water and sewer may be developed, but not at
the density associated with transition areas.
A copy of the draft map is on file in the Planning Department.
Discussion was held on how the Land Use Plan Update will be
implemented and the responsibility of local governments to develop
policies following the guidelines proposed in order to allow for
orderly growth with protection of the groundwater and environmental
concerns. Emphasis was placed on the fact that New Hanover County
is no longer a rural county, but an urban county, with a density of
1,000 people per square mile. This population growth will require
additional funds to provide more services such as sewer, water,
drainage, fire protection, and emergency response for the
unincorporated areas.
Discussion was held on scheduling public hearings. Due to the
holidays, it was generally agreed that public hearings should be
held after the first of January, 1993.
In summary, Mr. Kenneth Shanklin, Chairman of the City/County
Ad Hoc Planning Committee, expressed appreciation to all members of
the committee and the County Staff for their time and effort given
in developing the Land Use Plan Update. He stated the plan is an
excellent guideline and hopefully policies will be created and
implemented that will provide for future orderly growth and
protection of the County's natural resources.
Chairman Mathews, on behalf of the Board, expressed
appreciation to Mr. Shanklin for so generously giving of his legal
expertise to serve on the committee, and the County Planning Staff
was complimented for performing an outstanding job in developing an
excellent plan.
Chairman Mathews also commented on the cooperative effort
given by Todd Miller, representing Coastal Federation, and Steve
Weiss, representing the home builders and developers, and inquired
as to whether Mr. Todd Miller would like to comment.
Mr. Miller, representing Coastal Federation, stated in his
opinion, the proposed plan is an excellent document for orderly
well planned growth that will protect environmental concerns.
It was the consensus of all members present that the update lS
an excellent plan and one that will allow for future growth in an
orderly manner. It is hoped that the Wilmington City Council will
agree.
Monitoring of Howe Creek
Discussion was held on the monitoring process of the County's
watershed and creeks. Vice-Chairman Greer commented on the present
monitoring of Howe Creek and inquired as to whether the State's
representative has withdrawn from the project and if UNC-W needs
additional funds to continue the process? If so, he recommended
negotiating with the State to obtain additional funds with the
County paying its share to allow UNC-W to continue the 2-3 year
monitoring of creeks.
Assistant County Manager Dave Weaver stated the lead staff
person for the State did leave the monitoring project; however, the
State is now working with UNC-W and it appears these efforts will
continue.
Consensus: After discussion of allocating $20,000 of funding per
year for UNC-W to continue the monitoring process and concern for
the State leaving the project when the pollution source is almost
identified in Howe Creek, it was the consensus of the Board to
request the County Manager to discuss this issue with UNC-W and
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION, OCTOBER 16, 1992
BOOK 23
PAGE 175
State officials to seek the necessary funds
monitoring process.
for continuing the
DISCUSSION ON RECENT LEAVE OF ABSENCE TAKEN BY DAVID PLATE,
PRESIDENT OF NEW HANOVER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Vice-Chairman Greer expressed concern for not being informed
about the reasons for the leave of absence taken by David Plate,
the President of New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
Motion: After discussion of the need for the public to know the
reasons for this action, Vice-Chairman Greer MOVED, SECONDED by
Chairman Mathews to authorize the Chairman to write a letter
requesting the Hospital Board of Trustees to disclose the reasons
for the leave of absence taken by David Plate with a response to be
received by Wednesday, October 21, 1992. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED AS FOLLOWS:
Voting Aye: Commissioner Retchin
Commissioner Sutton
Vice-Chairman Greer
Chairman Mathews
Absent: Commissioner Barfield
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Commissioner Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman
Greer to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED AS FOLLOWS:
Voting Aye: Commissioner Retchin
Commissioner Sutton
Vice-Chairman Greer
Chairman Mathews
Absent: Commissioner Barfield
Chairman Mathews adjourned the Special Session at 11:00 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board
,.,....-
MINUTES OF CAMA LAND USE PLAN UPDATE WORK .~ESSION
PAGE ,175
state officials to seek the necessary funds for continuing the
monitoring process.
DISCUSSION ON RECENT - LEAVE OF ABSENCE TAKEN BY DAVID PLATE,
PRESIDENT OF NEW HANOVER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Vice-Chairman Greer expressed concern for not being informed
about the reasons for the leave of absence taken by David Plate,
the President of New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
Motion: After discussion of the need for the public to know the
reasons for this action, Vice-Chairman Greer MOVED, SECONDED by
Chairman Mathews to authorize the Chairman to write a letter
requesting the Hospital Board of Trustees to disclose the reasons
for the leave of absence taken by David Plate with a response to be
received by Wednesday, October 21, 1992. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED AS FOLLOWS:
.
Voting Aye: Commissioner Retchin
commissioner Sutton
Vice-Chairman Greer
Chairman Mathews
Absent: Commissioner Barfield
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Commissioner Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Vice'-Chairman
Greer to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED AS FOLLOWS:
Voting Aye: Commissioner Retchin
commissioner Sutton
Vice-Chairman Greer
Chairman Mathews
Absent:
commissioner Barfield
.
Chairman Mathews adjourned the Special Session at 11:00 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
~F~:f~
Clerk to the Board
.
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