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2004-02-12 Work Session NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 29 JOINT MEETING WITH THE PLANNING BOARD, FEBRUARY 12, 2004PAGE 913 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a joint meeting with the New Hanover County Planning Board on Thursday, February 12, 2004, at 5:30 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present were: Chairman Robert G. Greer; Vice-Chairman Julia Boseman; Commissioner William A. Caster; Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.; Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; County Manager, Allen O’Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Deputy Clerk to the Board, Teresa P. Elmore. Planning Board members present were: Chairman McKinley D. Dull, David A. Adams, R. Frank Smith, and Robin W. Robinson. Chairman Greer called the meeting to order and welcomed the members of the Planning Board. He said the purpose of the meeting is to hear the Planning Board’s proposal for establishing a process to review site plans for large capital projects that are publicly funded. Mr. Dull began by stating that the Planning Board felt capital projects for the County and other governmental agencies should go through a review process in order to create better projects. He proposed that a Capital Facilities Review Committee be established to review projects for County Parks, School facilities, Libraries, Fire Services, Emergency Management Services, Law Enforcement, and the Hospital. This review committee would make sure that the facility was consistent with the Land Use Plan and that adequate roads and fire protection were available, as well as water and sewer. In discussion of land acquisitions for Hospital projects, County Manager O’Neal said that the cooperative working relationship between the Board of Trustees and the Commissioners would allow the County’s input before land purchases were made. Vice-Chairman Boseman, a member of the Hospital Board of Trustees, agreed that the hospital would be open to the planning process. She felt it would be very beneficial for them and the County to rely on the Planning Board and Staff to help guide the growth of the County. Planning Director Hayes explained that the primary focus of the review committee would be on new construction projects authorized by the County. It would review sites for land acquisitions for County agencies and review them for joint uses such as for parks and schools. In discussion of the Long Range Planning Committee, Mr. Smith explained that several subdivisions in the northern part of the County looked as if they would be a sea of culs-de-sac. Although the developers were not receptive, the Planning Board began requiring road connections to future development areas. He suggested that a Long-Range Planning Committee could make a plan for growth and economic development to create better developments. Better coordination between Parks and the School System may have improved past projects and avoided issues concerning the roadway at Veterans Park and Ashley School. A Long-Range Planning Committee could have reviewed the plans for better coordination of the projects. Mr. Smith said that the Planning Staff proposed that the Planning Board review capital projects through a Capital Facilities Review Process to provide advance consideration of stormwater management, traffic flow, and location of utilities. However, he proposed a Long-Range Planning Committee, whether the Planning Board or another committee appointed by the Commissioners, to plot where growth is occurring to determine where utilities or schools should be located. Developers could be required to build collector roads through designated areas. He perceived that the process would be simple without a lot of regulations. Mr. Smith suggested that areas of economic enterprises should be developed since residential developments do not support the cost of government as well as industry and other commercial developments. A strategic plan should be implemented to bring more industry to the County, but unless infrastructure is in place, new industries will not be interested. He cautioned that each decision made on a rezoning request becomes more critical as less land is available. In discussion of who should serve on the committees, Mr. Dull suggested that the Planning Board as well as Staff and other economic development professionals should serve on the Long- Range Planning Committee. Initially, the committee may meet every month to establish a mission statement and eventually meet maybe four times a year to set priorities. Chairman Greer questioned whether another planning group was needed to look at the same issues. He pointed out that both the Chamber of Commerce and Council of Governments have planning committees. Another committee will be formed for the CAMA Land Use Plan Update. He supported establishing a Capital Facilities Review Committee to review plans for parks, schools, and other public needs to ensure that government complies to the same rules as private developments. The Schools and County should use available resources and work together to make the best decisions for taxpayers. Planning Director Hayes proposed that the Schools submit their needs to the Facilities Review Committee when they need to find a site in a certain part of the County. The committee would match the need with the infrastructure in place before selecting a site. Since the County is involved in the purchase of school property, he felt that the Board could implement the review process. Assistant County Manager Dave Weaver spoke on the CAMA Land Use Plan being a long-term master plan to direct growth for certain parts of the County. Although the plan designates areas as limited transition, urban, or conservation areas based on the availability of sewer, the development of the sewer system has been driven mostly by developers who were willing to share in the cost of extending lines to other areas. He suggested that the CAMA Land Use Plan Update be refined to include particular long-range planning issues. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 29 JOINT MEETING WITH THE PLANNING BOARD, FEBRUARY 12, 2004PAGE 914 Chairman Greer pointed out that sometimes developers pay to install sewer for a location of their choice rather than develop projects where sewer is available. The County has benefitted from these developers installing sewer lines. Planning Director Hayes explained that each agency brings its own project forward and may not know of another department’s plans to build. Having a review process will coordinate the needs of a fire station or a library for a general area and promote more efficient use of public property. Commissioner Pritchett said that the City of Wilmington is working on long-range plan beyond the requirements of the CAMA Land Use Plan. She thought it would be beneficial for both governments to work together for a joint long-range plan. Planning Director Hayes explained that the City will be looking at more specific land-use opportunities within the City. Under the CAMA Land Use Plan, most of the City is classified as either developed or conservation and does not give a lot of guidance for planning. They will be looking at certain areas to see if they can encourage commercial expansion on a parcel-by-parcel basis. Commissioner Pritchett said it seemed that both governments have the same objective and she felt that it was an opportune time to form a joint long-range plan. Mr. Adams explained that the CAMA Land Use Plan is a reiterative process that comes back every five years to think and redo. The Capital Facilities Review process would be an initiating and implementing agency based on the TRC concept. He felt that the long-range planning guide should be a tool that is used and not just placed on a shelf. Commissioner Caster asked whether a long-range plan would propose changes to the zoning of residential or commercial properties. Mr. Smith responded that the plan should be as broad as the CAMA Land Use Plan using classifications of developed, transition, rural, and conservation areas. The zoning classifications may need to be modified some, but the Long-Range Planning Committee would establish a policy and it would be implemented through the Zoning Ordinance. The policy would give the Planning Board and Commissioners something to follow in the decision-making process. Commissioner Caster said he supported forming the Capital Facilities Review Committee, but he was concerned about changing residential zoning areas to economic development areas. It may be difficult to convince surrounding homeowners that an area should be rezoned. Vice-Chairman Boseman spoke on the importance of the Planning Board being a part of the process to plan for the future of the County. Chairman Greer supported the Planning Board members serving as the Capital Facilities Review Committee and receiving input from Planning Staff as well as Fire Services, Parks, etc. Since the Planning Board is a cross section of the community, it would be an appropriate group to work with County staffs. Commissioner Pritchett said that when the TRC was changed from a review by the Planning Board to a review by staff, the Commissioners said they wanted the Planning Board to be more involved with long-range planning issues. She supported using the Planning Board to pursue long-range planning policies. In discussion of the proposed process for siting a new school facility, Chairman Greer said that although the Commissioners cannot tell the Board of Education where school facilities should be built, he felt that they should submit their needs to the County. The Facilities Review Committee would determine the best location based on availability of fire stations, parks, and other resources. Mr. Smith said that both the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and the Land Use Plan are policy documents. The Long-Range Planning Committee can serve as the Facilities Review Committee and expand on specific policies of the Land Use Plan for future development plans. Chairman Greer expressed concern that having too many plans may be confusing. The Land Use Plan should reflect the desires of the community in meeting the needs of the County. The Commissioners should use it as a guide for making decisions on development projects, Special Use Permits, and Zoning issues. Since policies cannot be written for every situation, Commissioners will continue to make judgement decisions on some issues. Chairman Greer supported creating a Facilities Review Committee to deal with capital projects. He asked the Planning Board members to determine the best mechanism, whether it’s the Planning Board and staff or another group, and report back to the Commissioners with specifics. On behalf of the Board, Chairman Greer expressed appreciation to the Planning Board and Staff for the information. He thanked the Planning Board members for their contributions to County Government. Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Teresa P. Elmore Deputy Clerk to the Board