Loading...
1983-03-02 Special Meeting MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 2, 1983 249 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session on Wednesday, March 2, 1983, at 9:00 o'clock A.M. in the Assembly Room, New Hanover County Administration Building, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present were: Commissioners Jonathan Barfield, sr.; Donald P. Blake; Nolan O'Neal, Claud O'Shields, Jr.; Chairman Karen E. Gottovi; County Manager G. Felix Cooper; County Attorney Robert W. Pope; and Clerk to the Board Lucie F. Smith. I Chairman Gottovi called the meeting to order stating that this Special Mee~ing had been called for discussion on the rezoning of property located on the River Road, Staff recommendations on back- ground information for agenda items, and appo~ntments by the ~omm- issioners to Boards, Cbmmi ttees, ,and Commi's~ions. BREAK Chairman Gottovi recessed the meeting for a break from 9:20 o'clock A.M. to 9:35 o'clock A.M. in order for copies to be made and distributed of a .report prepared by the Planning Staff. I DISCUSSION OF REZONING RIVER ROAD PROPERTY OWNED BY SUGGS AND HARRELSON Planning Director Hayes gave background information on the rezoning of the River Road property stating that the rezoning was in conflict with the County's Land Use Policies and that the question had arisen as to whether or not the Land Use Policies concerning urban services were proper and appropriate. He presented to the Commissioners a report containing policy information con~erni~g the Urban Service Area of the 1981 Wilmington-New Hanover County Land Use Plan and an analysis prepared by the Planning Staff of the fiscal impact of development located inside and outside th~ Urban Service Area explaining the rationale for the .urban service concept. He explained that the major reasons for supporting the Land Use Plan's overall planning goals were: (1) to ensure that urban level develop- ment has the necessary public services: (2) that the taxpayers' cost for providing these services are minimized; and (3), that. efficient use of scarce land and energy resources are made to preserve the quality of life of area residents. Planner David Weaver gave background information on the fiscal analysis prepared by the Planning Staff emphasizing that the main objective is not to restrict growth, but to manage the location intensity and rate of growth in a manner consistent with the efficient and economical provision of urban services in order to prevent an increased tax burden to the taxpayer. Staff Attorney Silliman explained to the Board the options available that would legally permit urban development outside. the Urban Services Area. He stressed the importance of providing sufficient time for the Planning Department to study if there is adequate tech- nical justification for a policy encouraging urban development outside the presently defined Urban Service Area, and if so, the selection of the best option available based on t~chnical studies and findings~ The options available are as follows: 1. Amend policies discouraging urban development outside the Urban Service Area. I 2. Amend the Land Classification Map by adding Transitional area. 3. Amend the policies and zoning ordinance to provide exceptions for Planned Unit Developments. 4. Amend the zoning ordinance "Performance Resldential" Section. BREAK Chairman Gottovi recessed the meeting for a break from 11:40 o'clock A.M. to 11:55 o'clock A.M. FILM Planning Director Hayes showed a portion of a film entitled, "Toward Human Architecture" focusing on residential development, 250 MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 2, 1983 (CONTINUED) FILM (CONTINUED) growth and trade offs that everyone. faces. Planning Director Hayes invited the Commissioners to see the movie in its entirety at 2:00 o'clock P.M. Monday afternoon, March 2, 1983. After a lengthy discussion by the Commissioners on the Land Use Plan and rezoning of the River Road property, no action was taken. Commissioner O'Shields suggested that the Planning Staff make a study of the options presented by Staff_Attorney Silliman and report back to the Board. Chairman Gottovi informed the developer that he should not expect a final decision to be made on the rezoning request at the March 7, 1983, Board Meeting unless the decision was to deny the ~e~anjng request. DISCUSSION OF PROCEDURAL CHANGES FOR COMMISSIONERS CONCERNING LAND USE AND PLANNING ISSUES Planning Director Hayes discussed the three types of land use deci sions : (1) Zoning Map Changes; (2) Special Use Permits; and (3) Text Ordinance Changes. He requested input from the Commissioners as to what type of presentation by his Staff was the most beneficial in providing the Board with more pertinent and detailed information on the land use decisions. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to utilize information already available in the Planning Department by providing tapa sheets, overlays of tax maps, property maps, aerial photographs and soil maps. Chairman Gottovi suggested on-site inspection visits accompanied by the Planning Staff for land use decisions of a more complicated nature. County Manager Cooper proposed scheduling a briefing with the Planning Department on Monday at 9:00 o'clock A.M. the week before the regularly scheduled Public Hearing Meeting, which is the first Monday of each month, to discuss upcoming agenda items, and upon recommendation by the Planning Staff to make on-site visits when necessary. It was the consensus of the Board to request County Manager Cooper to work out the logistics of scheduling these briefings through a memorandum to the Commissioners, implementing this procedure by the first meeting in April. Planning Director Hayes suggested two procedural changes at the Public Hearing meetings as follows: 1. Discontinue Planning Staff presentations and discussions on items that have been recommended for approval by the Planning Staff and Planning Board when no one appears in opposition and the Commissioners agree with the recommendation. 2. Streamlining the Special Use Permit procedure by eliminating the Planning Board review thereby permitting the Planning Staff to identify any problem areas that the Commissioners may want to address through additional conditions being imposed upon the permit. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to adhere to the suggested procedural changes submitted by the Planning Department thereby providing the Planning Board with more time to concentrate on long range planning instead of routine work. Planning Director Hayes is to prepare an Ordinance Text Change for presentation to the Commissioners at a regularly scheduled meeting in April 1983. r " MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 2, 1983 (CONTINUED) 251 I DISCUSSION - SENATE BILL 124 - NEW HANOVER COMMISSIONER DISTRICT ELECTIONS Chairman Gottovi stated that she had received a letter from Senator Julius Wright III requesting support of his district election bill and holding a public hearing on this matter. After discussion, Commissioner O'Shields MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Blake to authorize Chairman Gottovi to reply to Senator Wright stating that the Commissioners are opposed to the bill and are not interested in holding a public hearing on this matter. Chairman Gottovi was also authorized to write a letter to members of the Local Government and Regional Affairs Committee and members of the Local Government 2 Committee informing them that the Commissioners are opposed to the bill due to its capricious introduction with no consultation of the citizens or Commissioners, its nonconformity to the recommendations of a study committee on district representation, and lack of support of the citizens of New Hanover County. Upon vote, the MOTION CARR1Eb UNANIMOUSLY. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Blake to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairman Gottovi adjourned the meeting at 12:55 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, ~F~~ I t.1HJUTES OF REGULAR MEETING, t1ARCH 7, 1983 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Monday, March 7, 1983, at 7:00 o'clock P.M. in the Assembly Room, New Hanover County Administration Building, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present were: Commissioners Jonathan Barfield, Sr.; Donald P. Blake; Nolan O'Neal; Claud O'Shields, Jr.; Chairman Karen E. Gottovi, County Manager G. Felix Cooper, County Attorney Robert W. Pope; and Clerk to the Board Lucie F. Smith. Chairman Gottovi called the meeting to order. Commissioner O'Shields gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR CONTINUED MEETING, FEBRUARY 14, 1983, AND REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 21, 1983 Commissioner Blake t10VED, SECONDED by Commissioner Barfield that the of the Continued Meeting of.February 14, 1983, be approved as presented. vote, the motion CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. minutes Upon I Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner O.Shields that the minutes of the Regular t1eeting of February 21, 1983, be approved as presented. Upon vote, the motion CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Upon MOTION by Commissioner O'Shields, SECONDED by Commissioner Blake, the following Consent Agenda items were UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED: AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF WILMINGTON AND NEW HANOVER COUNTY FOR USE OF TRASK PARK BALLFIELDS The Commissioners authorized County Manager Cooper to execute an aqreement between the City of Wil~inqton and New Hanover County for the use of Trask Park ballfields.