2008-10-02 Agenda Review
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 31
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, OCTOBER 2, 2008 PAGE 470
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for Agenda Review on Thursday, October 2, 2008,
at 4:00 p.m. in the Lucie F. Harrell Conference Room, Room 601, at the New Hanover County Government Center,
230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman Robert G. Greer; Vice-Chairman William A. Caster; Commissioner Ted
Davis, Jr.; Commissioner William A. Kopp; Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley;
Clerk to the Board Sheila L. Schult; and County Manager Bruce T. Shell.
Chairman Greer called the meeting to order and announced that the purpose of the meeting is to review and
discuss the Board?s October 6, 2008 Regular Session meeting agenda.
The Board discussed Consent Agenda Item 2 ? Approval to Transfer Membership of John Charles Stevens
from the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee to the Adult Care Home Community Advisory
Committee.
The Board discussed Consent Agenda Item 3 ? Approval of Contract with Marlowe and Company. County
Manager Bruce Shell presented an overview of the request highlighting that the increase in the contract amount is
$2,400. Due to questions concerning the contract terms, County Manager Shell suggested the item be removed from
the agenda to allow staff time for additional review.
The Board discussed Consent Agenda Item 6 ? Adoption of Ordinances for Budget Amendments. Budget
Director Cam Griffin reported that the amounts listed on Budget Amendment 09-040 have been revised from $500
to $1,000 due to an increase in grant funds received.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 7? Consideration of Proclamation to Recognize October 2008
as ?Domestic Violence Awareness Month? in New Hanover County. Vice-Chairman Caster will read the
proclamation.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 8 ? Consideration of Proclamation to Recognize October 5-11,
2008 as ?Fire Prevention Week? in New Hanover County. Commissioner Pritchett will read the proclamation.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 9 ? Public Hearing - FY 2009 Rural Operating Assistance
Program. Assistant County Manager Chris Coudriet reported that this item is a continuation of the FY 2009 Rural
Operating Assistance Program which was originally presented to County Commissioners at the July 21, 2008
meeting and then submitted to NCDOT on July 25, 2008. The annual grant application for $276,336 was approved
unanimously by the Commissioners and is unchanged from the original submission. For the previous public hearing
Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority published a 13 day notice, NCDOT is requesting a second public hearing
because the rules require at least a 14 day notice for the public hearing,
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 10 ? Public Hearing to Consider a Text Amendment to Amend
Section 67-9 of the Zoning Ordinance to Discourage Clear-Cutting of Land. Planning Director Chris O?Keefe
provided an overview of the request highlighting that the amendment would clarify that permits or certificates of
exemption are required before cutting regulated trees. A three - five year waiting period will be required before
building permits are issued if tree clearing occurs without obtaining a permit or an exemption. The Planning Board
at its September 4, 2008 regular meeting voted 6-0 to recommend approval.
Current requirements apply when a development proposal of some sort is advanced for consideration.
There is no section that clearly prevents cutting of trees prior to a development proposal unless a land disturbance
permit is required. Unfortunately, the pace of growth in recent years and the lack of adequate protection against
clear-cutting have resulted in an escalated loss of significant trees in advance of development proposals.
Planning Director O?Keefe highlighted the following:
?
This new section does not stop people from cutting trees to sell, it just requires them to get a permit,
leave a perimeter buffer and save significant trees.
?
This new section does not interfere with forestry activities for land that is use-valued for that purpose
or that has a forestry management plan.
?
This new section does not change existing requirements associated with development proposals.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 11 ? Presentation of Low Impact Development Project
Encouraging Additional Tools to Manage Storm Water Runoff and Protect Water Quality and Adoption of
Resolution Encouraging the Use of Low Impact Development Techniques. Senior Environmental Planner Shawn
Ralston presented an overview of the request highlighting that staff is requesting the Board adopt the resolution
accepting the Low Impact Development Manual thereby encouraging developers and engineers to utilize Low
Impact Development techniques as an alternative and voluntary option to comply with local, state, and federal water
quality requirements. The Planning Board has approved the Low Impact Development manual as proposed.
The Board discussed Additional Agenda Item 1 ? Consideration of Resolution Terminating State of
Emergency. Chairman Greer reported that the State of Emergency that was enacted on September 4, 2008 can now
be terminated. The State of Emergency was enacted due to the possible impact of Tropical Storm Hanna on New
Hanover County and was effective on Friday, September 5, 2008 at 6:00 a.m.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 31
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, OCTOBER 2, 2008 PAGE 471
There being no further business, Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the Board