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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 . l