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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-03 Regular Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 FEBRUARY 3, 2025 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 421 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met February 3, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in Regular Session in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present: Chair Bill Rivenbark; Vice-Chair LeAnn Pierce; Dane Scalise; Commissioner Stephanie A.C. Walker; and Commissioner Rob Zapple. Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; Clerk to the Board Kymberleigh G. Crowell; and County Attorney K. Jordan Smith. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Pastor Wes Hunter, Masonboro Baptist Church, provided the invocation and Chair Rivenbark led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Chair Rivenbark requested a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Zapple requested Consent Agenda Item #5: Approval of the Award of Bid for the Construction of Smith Creek Park Phase 2 be pulled for further discussion and made a motion to approve the remaining Consent Agenda items. Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Walker to approve the remaining Consent Agenda items as presented. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Minutes – Governing Body The Board approved the minutes of the January 21, 2025 Regular Meeting and the January 21, 2025 Closed Session. Approval of Order for Advertisement of 2024 Unpaid Tax Liens on Real Property – Tax The Commissioners approved the Order for Advertisement of 2024 Unpaid Tax Liens on Real Property for New Hanover County, City of Wilmington, Town of Kure Beach, Town of Wrightsville Beach, Town of Carolina Beach, and the New Hanover County Fire District. A copy of the order is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLVI, Page 3.1. Approval of December 2024 Tax Collection Reports – Tax The Commissioners accepted the tax collection reports of New Hanover County, New Hanover County Fire District, and New Hanover County Debt Service as of December 2024. Copies of the tax collection reports are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLVI, Page 3.2. Approval of the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) between New Hanover County 911 and Raleigh-Wake 911 – 911 Communications The Commissioners approved the Interlocal Agreement between New Hanover County 911 and Raleigh- Wake, establishing a mutual commitment to serve as backup for one another in the event of equipment failures, operational disruptions, call abandonment, or the need for alternate call routing and fulfills the requirements of the North Carolina 911 Board. Discussion on Consent Agenda Item #5: Approval of the Award of Bid for the Construction of Smith Creek Park Phase 2 – Parks and Gardens Parks and Gardens Director Tara Duckworth provided an overview of the Smith Creek Park Phase 2 project. She explained that Phase 2 of the Smith Creek Park development includes several additional elements: a new entry with parking off Gordon Road, a restroom and picnic shelter, nature play and environmental education features, public art, a new one-mile paved perimeter trail with spurs leading to additional internal nature trails, and an ADA ramp connection to the lake loop trail from Phase 1. Ms. Duckworth confirmed in response to questions the preservation of significant portions of the park's natural state and detailed the history of property acquisition. The Board discussed how Phase 2 will address current mobility challenges and the work done by staff to maintain the natural beauty while providing necessary amenities like bathrooms. It was also highlighted how the improvements will open the park to more of the community as it serves the entire county. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark asked for Board direction. MOTION: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Pierce to approve Consent Agenda Item #5: Approval of the Award of Bid for the Construction of Smith Creek Park Phase 2 to Timeless Properties Inc., DBA NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 FEBRUARY 3, 2025 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 422 Timeless Construction, in the amount of $2,022,632. The current available budget for the project is $2,595,910, which includes funding allocated for this phase of the project. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION OF INTENT FOR NEW HANOVER COUNTY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NORTH CAROLINA COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ASSESSED CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (C-PACE) PROGRAM Sustainability Manager Madelyn Wampler presented the following information regarding the request for the adoption of a resolution of intent for the NC C-PACE Program:  What is C-PACE:  Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure  Financing program for commercial property upgrades:  Energy efficiency  Renewable energy  Water conservation  Resiliency improvements  Key features:  Low-cost, long-term financing  Up to 100% financing of project costs  Repayment tied to property assessments  No County or taxpayer funds are used for project financing  Benefits of C-PACE:  Why now:  Proposed next steps:  Adoption of a C-PACE resolution of intent  Public hearing and adoption of final C-PACE resolution  Program participation  Recommended motion and requested actions:  Adopt a Resolution of Intent for New Hanover County to join the North Carolina Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) Program and schedule a public hearing on this matter for February 17, 2025 A brief discussion ensued about the program. Ms. Wampler confirmed that applications are submitted through the state, specifically the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. The division will manage all aspects including connecting the application with the banking community to obtain a loan at below-market interest rates. This initiative is designed to support projects like installing solar panels on a warehouse, making it accessible to both unincorporated counties and city limits. The process ensures that the financial burden is not placed on taxpayers, providing a sustainable and cost-effective solution for businesses looking to implement such projects. There being no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark asked for Board direction. Motion: Commissioner Scalise MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple to adopt the Resolution of Intent for New Hanover County to join the North Carolina Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) Program and schedule a public hearing on this matter for February 17, 2025. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLVI, Page 3.3. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 FEBRUARY 3, 2025 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 423 NEW HANOVER COUNTY/CITY OF WILMINGTON WORKFORCE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE ANNUAL UPDATE Tom Gale, Chair of the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Workforce Housing Advisory Committee, provided the following update:  Workforce Housing Advisory Committee (WHAC) Annual Presentation:  2024 committee members: Tom Gale, Chair, Paul Stavovy, Vice-Chair, Sharm Brantley, Roger Gins, Chad Hill, Krysti Keser, Eric Knight, Katrinia Knight, Morgan Moskal, Marshall Pickett, McKay Siegel, Antrevonn Tate, and Jody Wainio New Hanover County (Fiscal Year 2023):  WHAC Strategic Plan:  Developed based on the comprehensive housing study/survey, best practices from around the country, and feedback from providers:  What has been accomplished:  Recommendations:  Funding:  Policies and Legislation:  Diversity of housing supply: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 FEBRUARY 3, 2025 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 424  Programs:  Education:  Investments from New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington have made projects such as Haven Place, Canopy Pointe, and Estrella Landing possible. Discussion ensued with the Board expressing appreciation for the members’ work and they were encouraged to continue engagement and advisory efforts. Discussion then focused on balancing increased housing density with the need for green and open spaces. Mr. Gale emphasized the necessity of a regional approach to stormwater management and parks, clarifying that smart growth means thoughtful integration of higher-density housing rather than developing every available space. Condominiums and similar housing types do often better suit young professionals than single-family homes. Further discussion addressed the impact of rising housing costs and the affordability gap, including the increasing expense of starter homes, which makes housing difficult for essential workers, such as teachers, to afford. The broader economic implications of this trend were acknowledged, including workforce displacement and infrastructure challenges. There was agreement on the importance of supporting private industry in delivering affordable housing. The discussion noted developers' struggles to build smaller homes profitably, highlighting the government's role in facilitating solutions. The Board expressed support for the efforts to organize a housing summit to address these issues collaboratively. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark thanked Mr. Gale for the presentation. QUASI JUDICIAL HEARINGS CONTINUED TO APRIL 7, 2025 During the January 30, 2025, agenda review meeting, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the applicant’s request to continue the following quasi-judicial hearings to the April 7, 2025, regular meeting:  SPECIAL USE PERMIT (S24-04) - MULTI-FAMILY IN B-2 - REQUEST BY BAYSHORE TOWNHOMES, LLC, APPLICANT, ON BEHALF OF BEE SAFE PORTERS NECK, LLC, PROPERTY OWNERS, FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A 62 UNIT MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT WITH 1,800 SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL SPACE IN A B-2, REGIONAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ON A 3.21-ACRE PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED AT 8138 MARKET STREET.  SPECIAL USE PERMIT (S24-05) - ADDITIONAL DWELLING ALLOWANCE - REQUEST BY BAYSHORE TOWNHOMES, LLC, APPLICANT, ON BEHALF OF HERBERT PARHAM, PROPERTY OWNER, FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR AN ADDITIONAL DWELLING ALLOWANCE FOR 242 ROW-STYLE DWELLING UNITS IN AN R-15, RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT ON A 30.22-ACRE PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED AT THE 8100 BLOCK OF MARKET STREET. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 FEBRUARY 3, 2025 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 425 PUBLIC COMMENTS Chair Rivenbark stated that the four people signed up to speak under public comment and asked that the speakers provide comments. Priss Endo, a resident of Lucky Fish Lane, Wilmington, NC, Chris Endo, expressed concerns about overdevelopment and its environmental impact, specifically regarding Sledge Forest. She questioned the project’s effect on Castle Hayne residents' quality of life and highlighted potential environmental risks. She urged the Board to curb unsustainable development. Andy Wood, a resident of Hampstead, NC, and representative of Coastal Plain Conservation Group, stated his concerns that Sledge Forest lacks the infrastructure needed to support its 1,000-acre subdivision. He pointed to the old-growth longleaf pine habitat and noted that Castle Hayne Road, already rated “F,” cannot manage 30,000 more vehicles daily. He claimed developers profit while taxpayers cover costs for schools, healthcare, and roads, estimating $80 million profit from 4,000 homes. With the by-right development limiting public input, he warned that key impacts remain unknown. He urged the Board to prioritize infrastructure costs for current residents before approving large developments. Stephen Axthelm, a resident of Sweet Fern Row, Wilmington, NC, questioned the legality and transparency of the Smith Creek Park Phase 2 approval. He argued that required public notices, such as signage, mailed notifications, and newspaper publications, never reached residents. He also challenged the validity of public input data, pointing out low participation and limited support in surveys and meetings. He stated that his petition, with 458 verified signatures, opposes the development and urged the Board to halt the project until it follows proper legal procedures. Cathy Finley, a resident of Blue Star Run, Wilmington, NC, stated her opposition to paving the unpaved trails at Smith Creek Park, emphasizing that hikers, runners, and walkers already value and use the area. She described the park as a rare natural space in a county dominated by concrete and asphalt and stressed the need to preserve its remaining eight acres of wilderness. She warned that widening the path would destroy at least 1,000 trees, raising concerns about the environmental impact. She urged the Board to pause the project and carefully assess its effect on the park’s ecosystem before moving forward. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS There were no additional agenda items of business. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chair Rivenbark adjourned the meeting at 4:43 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kymberleigh G. Crowell Clerk to the Board Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting. The entire proceedings are available online at www.nhcgov.com.