Town of Holly Springs

Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Monday, Dec. 11, 2000

(Rescheduled from Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2000)

 

MINUTES

 

The Holly Springs Town Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, Dec. 11, 2000 in the Town Board meeting chambers, located in Town Hall, 128 S. Main St.  Mayor Gerald W. Holleman, calling the meeting to order at 7:41 p.m.  A quorum was established as the mayor and all five commissioners were present as the meeting opened.

 

Prior to the meeting’s opening, Mayor Holleman explained that the Board of Directors of the Community Partners Charter High School were meeting with the owner of Omni Industrial park to discuss options as to school space.  He stressed that the Town desires for the school to stay in Holly Springs and will do what it can to meet that goal.  He said the Town has limited space and that is a continuing problem, but that the Town is committed to keeping school in Holly Springs.

 

Board Members Present: Mayor Holleman and Commissioners Tim Sack, John Schifano, Parrish Womble, Peter Atwell and Hank Dickson.

 

Board Members Absent: None

 

Staff Members Present: Richard B. Self, town manager; Dan Cahill, representing the town attorney; Ernest C. Pearson, town attorney (arrived later in the meeting); Joni Powell, town clerk (recording the minutes); Cecil Parker, chief of public safety; Gina Bobber, planning director; Len Bradley, director of parks and recreation; and Stephanie Sudano, director of engineering.

 

2 and 3.  The pledge of allegiance was recited, and the meeting opened with a moment of silent meditation.

 

4.  Agenda Adjustment – The Dec. 11, 2000 meeting agenda was adopted with changes, if any, as listed below.

            Motion Made By: Sack

            Motion Seconded By: Schifano

            Vote: Unanimous.

            Items Added to Agenda:

            Consent Agenda Items Moved to New Business:

            Other Changes: Item 6, a presentation from the Community Partners Charter High School, was moved up on the agenda to follow agenda adjustment.

 

            At this time, Mayor Holleman invited all the students of CPCHS to come into the room to participate.

 

6.  CPCHS Communication  – Candice Van Houten of Holly Springs, CPCHS student, addressed the Board. She explained that the school is faced with no place to go in January when its current lease expires. She said the school has made a difference in her attitude and academic goals.  She asked the Town Board for an extension of the expiring lease.


            Lynanne Fowle of Holly Springs -- Mrs. Fowle said she was speaking on behalf of the parents of CPCHS students.  She said her daughter attends the school and that she has a personal interest in seeing the school remain in Holly Springs. She said parents are concerned about the potential difficulties of having to bus or carpool their children to a high school out of town.  She said she likes the fact that there  is a quality school in Holly Springs and that CPCHS has been a good experience for her daughter.  Mrs. Fowle asked the Board to extend the building lease or otherwise assist in keeping CPCHS in the community until their permanent facility is constructed.

            Commissioner Schifano said he was impressed by the support of school by parents and students.

            Action: Commissioner Schifano offered a motion that the Town extend the school’s lease of the Hunt Community Center classrooms until the end of the school year.  Commissioner Schifano withdrew the motion after Mayor Holleman advised him and the Board that two other alternatives were being discussed between various parties involved in the construction project of the permanent facility.

            Commissioner Atwell said he agreed with Schifano regarding the support of the school exhibited by the parents and students.

            Commissioner Dickson said he hoped that the Town could work something out that would benefit the school and the community.

            Mayor Holleman explained to the audience that one point of concern with the Town is simply that the Town also is responsible to the parents of children enrolled in parks and recreation programs that are held at the Hunt Center, and some of those programs have been postponed due to lack of classroom space.  He said all the interests of the community are the responsibility of the Board, which has to decide how best to use limited space.

            Mayor Holleman said he was hopeful a solution could be reached that would benefit the CPCHS but also give the Town some assurance that use of the Community Center could be assigned to other programs in the future.  He said he would like to know what the options are before entertaining a motion later in the evening.

            Mayor Holleman then explained to the high school students a little bit about local government and its workings.  He invited teachers and students to spend time with town departments in job shadowing.

            No action at this time.

 

5a.  Public Hearing: Rezoning Petition 00-REZ-14 – Ms. Bobber explained that the Town has received a petition requesting the rezoning of 21 acres at the northwest intersection of the southern loop of Ralph Stephens Loop Road and NC 55 from R-20 to C-1.  The petition was filed by Robert R. Stafford for Stafford Land Company.  She provided the following background information:

            The proposed rezoning is located within the Community Activity Center (CAC) according to the Holly Springs 1998 Ten-Year Comprehensive Growth Plan.  The center of this CAC was modified to the east of the location depicted on the map to be centered over the intersection of the new NC-55 Bypass and NC-55 earlier this year with the commercial rezoning request 00-REZ-09. It is the intent of the CAC to contain highway commercial uses, including larger retailers, office and high-density residential around the fringe of the CAC.  The location of the proposed rezoning is immediately south of the terminus of the NC-55 Bypass.  The CAC is to be developed as a commerce center not only for the local neighborhoods, but also the entire community and outlying fringes of other communities.

            Ms. Bobber reported that staff and the Planning Board recommend approval of the request.

            With that explanation completed, Mayor Holleman opened the public hearing.

            There being no comments, the public hearing was closed.

           

5b.  Public Hearing: Rezoning 00-REZ-15 – Ms. Bobber explained that the Town has received a petition from William I. Shankle / Tri-South Development Inc. requesting the rezoning of approximately 9.75 acres from R-20 to C-1.  The property forms the northwest quadrant of the Sunset Lake Road and Holly Springs Road intersection, Ms. Bobber explained. She then provided the following background information:

            The proposed rezoning is located within a Neighborhood Village District (NVD) according to the Holly Springs 1998 Ten-Year Comprehensive Growth Plan.  NVDs are to become centers for neighborhood activity that will include grocery stores, offices, drug stores, service and specialty stores, as well as some convenience stores such as gas stations and other automobile-oriented businesses.  Inappropriate uses would be the “big box” users in which the area for the proposed rezoning is not large enough to support a “big box” development.

            Ms. Bobber reported that staff recommends approval of the rezoning petition.  She added that the Planning Board has reviewed the petition and recommends approval after satisfaction of questions regarding infrastructure improvements and gateways.

            With that explanation completed, Mayor Holleman opened the public hearing.  The following comments were heard:

            William I. Shankle, 8000 Terrell Road, Raleigh, the applicant – Mr. Shankle addressed the Board in favor of the rezoning request.  He pointed out that the request conforms to the Town’s 10-Year Comprehensive Growth Plan which recognizes changing traffic patterns in this area.  He said rezoning will provide added commercial development and the tax base that goes along with it and also will accelerate road improvements that will be needed.  He said that there is potential for three of the corners of this intersection being developed and that there is the potential of coordination of efforts in improving the aesthetics in the neighborhood.

            Commissioner Sack asked why one lot was isolated from others that were grouped for the rezoning petition.

            Mr. Shankle said he was unable to negotiate sale of the property but that the owner was not opposed to the rezoning of the surrounding parcels.  He said he offered  to include the lot in this rezoning petition for the owner, but the owner declined because he did not want to increase the value of his lot for tax purposes.

            There being no futher comments, the public hearing was closed.

 

5c.  Public Hearing: Rezoning 00-REZ-16 – Ms. Bobber explained that the Town has received a petition from Pat Edwards requesting the rezoning of .93 acres from R-20 to C-1.  The property is located adjacent to the subject project of Rezoning Petition 00-REZ-14.

            Ms. Bobber said the proposed rezoning is located within the Community Activity Center (CAC) according to the Holly Springs 1998 Ten-Year Comprehensive Growth Plan.  The center of this CAC was modified to the east of the location depicted on the map to be centered over the intersection of the new NC-55 Bypass and NC-55 earlier this year with the commercial rezoning request 00-REZ-09. She explained that it is the intent of the CAC to contain highway commercial uses, including larger retailers, office and high-density residential around the fringe of the CAC.  The location of the proposed rezoning is immediately south of the terminus of the NC-55 Bypass.  The CAC is to be developed as a commerce center not only for the local neighborhoods, but also the entire community and outlying fringes of other communities, she said.

            Ms. Bobber said the Planning Board had reviewed the petition and recommended approval.  Staff also recommends approval, she said.

            With that explanation completed, Mayor Holleman opened the public hearing.  There being no comments, the public hearing was closed.

 

6.  CPCHS Communication – This item was moved up in the agenda during Agenda Adjustment.  Further communication was made later in the meeting and is recorded below in this record.

 

7a. Rezoning Petition 00-REZ-14 – The Board approved a motion to approve Rezoning Petition 00-REZ-14 granting C-1 zoning for 21 acres located at the northwest intersection of the southern loop of Ralph Stephens Loop Road and NC 55.

            Motion By: Sack

            Second By:Womble

            Vote: unanimous

 

7b. Rezoning Petition 00-REZ-15 -- At the request of the petitioner, the Board approved a motion to defer action on the rezoning request until after the first of the year.

            Motion By:  Womble

            Second By:  Dickson

            Vote: unanimous

 

7c.  Rezoning Petition 00-REZ-16 -- The Board approved a motion to approve Rezoning Petition 00-REZ-16 granting C-1 zoning for .93 acres located adjacent to the subject property of 00-REZ-14.

            Motion By:  Dickson

            Second By:  Atwell

            Vote: unanimous

 

7d.  Ordinance 00-O-24 – Mr. Self explained that there has been discussion among staff, at the request of citizens, regarding water meter deposits that are required by the Town.  He explained that the ordinance has been rewritten to provide for a refund of water meter deposits on written request and after satisfactory payment record of 12 months.  The ordinance amendment also would allow new water customers to substitute satisfactory payment history from other towns for a water meter deposit and would allow existing customers, if eligible, to transfer a previously-paid water meter deposit to a new address within the Town.

            Action: The Board approved a motion to adopt Ordinance 00-O-24 to amend the Town’s current water meter deposit ordinance to provide for water meter deposit refunds and requirement waivers and to modify references to fees.

            Motion By: Schifano

            Second By: Womble

            Vote: unanimous

            A copy of Ordinance 00-O-24 is incorporated into these minutes as addendum pages.

 

 

            At this time, Eric Freeman, representing the board of directors of CPCHS, addressed the Board.  Mr. Freeman explained that members of the CPCHS board have been meeting with Chet Van Fossen and David Sharpe about the school’s site on Quantum Drive.  He said he realizes several members of the town have worked in an effort to bring the school and the owner of the Omni site together.

            He pointed out, however, his board has concerns.  He said the suggestion that the school move into temporary quarters at Omni until the end of school year presents a problem:  he said the building is not suitable for educational needs and may be expensive to upfit.  Secondly, he said, students and staff at the school are settled in at the Hunt Center and would like to remain where they are.

            Mr. Freeman asked that CPCHS be allowed to stay in the Hunt Center.  He said he realizes that the parks and recreation department has programs it wants to get started, but he said the school would be willing to rework its schedules a bit while its permanent building is being constructed so that perhaps some of the programs could be held.

            Mr. Freeman also asked, in the case the Board agreed to extend the school’s lease through the end of the school year, what would happen if the permanent building is delayed further and the need for another extension arose.

            Mayor Holleman said he felt the Board would be willing to extend the lease through the end of the school year, but a decision on further lease extensions should wait until it was determine whether or not they are needed.

            Action: The Board approved a motion to authorize the Town Manager to extend the Town’s building lease to Community Partners Charter High School until the middle of June, to the extent that CPCHS would work with the Town to accommodate as many parks and recreation programs as is feasible in the available space.

            Motion By: Schifano

            Second By: Sack

            Vote: unanimous

           

7e.  Finisterra Development Agreement – Mrs. Sudano explained that, in follow up to the approval of the Finisterra PUD, staff has been working with the developer and the developer’s engineer to prepare the proposed terms of a developer agreement.  She said the draft developer agreement before the Board is in the final stages of legal review by the Town Attorney, but all of the points of agreement as requested by the developer and reviewed by staff are defined as follows:

            1.  The developer will be responsible for paving the unpaved portion of New Hill Road and installing turn lanes at both main entrances into the PUD (from New Hill Road and Old Holly Springs Road) in lieu of installing one-half of a thoroughfare cross section along just the frontage of the PUD property.  This includes a requirement for the developer to spend at least the same amount of money making the paving improvements as he would have spent making the widening improvements.

            2.  The developer will be responsible for installing a gravity sewer interceptor along White Oak Creek and its tributaries that is sized to accommodate future basin development (varying in size from 10" to 24").  In addition, the developer will install a regional pumping station and force main to the wastewater treatment plant.  In exchange the developer will receive approximately $1,950,635 in credits against sewer acreage and sewer capacity replacement fees, at the time such fees become due on the project.


            3.  The developer shall construct a 12" or larger off-site water main to serve the development.  (Note that additional water lines and  water system improvements may be necessary to serve the development dependent upon the results of a hydraulic model that the developer is now conducting - any costs associated with additional improvements or larger required line size shall not be included in calculating credits for water line construction.)   In exchange the developer will receive approximately $193,500 in credits against water acreage fees, at the time such fees become due on the project.

            4.  The developer shall construct a reclaimed water irrigation distribution system to serve both the golf course and each of the lots and units of development.  In exchange the developer shall receive a $2000 credit against water capacity replacement fees for each unit developed in the PUD.

            Mr. Bradley addressed the Board to explain the provisions of the following developer agreement portion:

            5.  The developer will pay $750 per lot for the first 100 recorded lots.  The developer shall construct an 8 foot wide paved public greenway trail as shown in the approved PUD document.  In exchange, the developer will receive credits equal to $17 per foot of greenway trail constructed, with a maximum amount of $272,000.  The developer shall also dedicate land for public parks in accordance with the same approved PUD document.   The developer shall receive credits in the amount of $547,000 in exchange for the dedication of 29.1 acres of parkland as shown in the approved PUD document.  Should more than 1190 lots be recorded, a fee in lieu of land dedication will be due in accordance with the Town Board's approved fee schedule.

            For all projects 1 through 4 listed above, Mrs. Sudano said, documented expenditures will be required before credits are issued to insure that credits are only issued for town infrastructure that is in place and complete.  In addition, she said, the developer agreement is quite comprehensive and includes many other conditions and requirements.

            Mayor Holleman called the reuse proposal extremely critical to the future of the town. He pointed out that it is easier to get funding for a reuse program, but that it is expensive and difficult to get a (state) permit for additional sewer discharge.

            Action: The Board approved a motion to enter into a developer agreement with the developers of Finisterra PUD as described and subject to final review and amendments by the Town Attorney.

            Motion By:  Womble

            Second By:  Dickson

            Vote: unanimous

            A copy of the developer agreement draft is incorporated into these minutes as addendum pages.

 

7f.  Planning Board and Board of Adjustment – Ms. Bobber explained that somehow over the last few years, the terms of current Board of Adjustments members have become even, rather than staggered.  She said extension of two of the terms would solve the problem, and she recommended that the terms of Ernestine Corbine and Wallace Ponder be extended.

            Action: The Board approved a motion to extend the terms of Ernestine Corbin and Wallace Ponder in order to restore staggered terms on the Board of Adjustment.

            Motion By: Sack

            Second By: Schifano

            Vote: unanimous

            A current and updated roster of Board of Adjustment members and their term expirations are on file in the Planning Department until such time as the roster is made obsolete by a new roster.  The roster is not a part of the official record of this meeting and does not need to be retained indefinitely.

 

            Ms. Bobber explained that, with the staggered term issue addressed, there will be a vacancy on the Board of Adjustment with the expiration of in-town member Jean Orelien, who has indicated that he will not seek a return to his seat.

            Commissioner Dickson said in-town alternate Lesli Doares wants to serve as a regular member, and he nominated her to the position

            Action: The Board approved a motion to appoint Lesli Doares to the Board of Adjustment as an in-town full-time member to replace retiring member Jean Orelien.

            Motion By: Dickson

            Second By: Womble

            Vote: unanimous

 

            Ms. Bobber then reported that leaves two in-town alternate vacancies on the Board of Adjustment that need to be filled.

            Commissioner Dickson suggested that the Board consider Planning Board applications in which applicants expressed a willingness to serve on either the Planning Board or the Board of Adjustment.

            Action: By consensus, the Board deferred action on attempting to fill alternate positions on the Board of Adjustments until Planning Board applicants could be contacted to gauge their interest.

 

            Ms. Bobber then explained that two in-town seats on the Planning Board will be expiring this year.  Seats currently held by Lisa Martin and Jonathan Gibbons will become open; however, both current members have expressed interest in continuing to serve.

            Action: The Board approved a motion to reappoint Lisa Martin and Jonathan Gibbons to new terms on the Planning Board as in-town full-time members.

            Motion By: Sack

            Second By: Dickson

            Vote: unanimous.

 

            Ms.  Bobber then explained that the term of Doris Robinson, the Planning Board’s sole member from the ETJ, also is expiring this year.  She advised that Mrs. Robinson did not apply for reappointment since it is possible that the property on which Mrs. Robinson resides soon will no longer be in the ETJ but actually within the Town limits.

            The situation results in yet another vacancy on the Planning Board, that of ETJ member, Ms. Bobber said, adding that the Town has received no applications for the Planning Board nor the Board of Adjustments from residents of the ETJ.

            Action: By consensus and due to the lack of applicants for consideration, the Board  deferred action until suitable applications are received.

 

7g.  Dec. 19 and Jan. 2 Meetings – The Board approved a motion to dispense with the Dec. 19, 2001 regular meeting entirely and to reschedule the Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001 regular meeting to Monday, Jan. 8, 2001 in light of the Christmas and New Year holiday office hours and to accommodate anticipated staff shortages.

            Motion By:  Sack

            Second By: Womble

            Vote: unanimous

 

8.  Consent Agenda – All items on the Consent Agenda were approved following a motion by Commissioner Sack; a second by Commissioner Womble; and a unanimous vote.  The following actions were affected:

            8a.  Rezoning Petition 00-REZ-05 -- Rezoning Petition 00-REZ-05 requesting C-1 zoning for property located on Avent Ferry Road was deferred.

            8b.  Rezoning Petition 00-REZ-06 – Rezoning Petition 00-REZ-06 requesting C-1 zoning for property located in the Omni Industrial Park was deferred.

            8c.  Budget Amendment, $8,450 – A budget ordinance amendment in the amount of $8,450 to be used for the purchase of radar equipment and funded by previous year’s drug forfeiture funds was adopted.

            A copy of the budget amendment is incorporated into these minutes as an addendum page.

 

9.  Public Comment – At this time, a 15-minute time period was offered for members of the public to address the Board on any variety of topics not on the night’s agenda.

            The following comments were offered: None.

 

10.  Other Business – There was no Other Business.

 

11.  Manager’s Reports – Mr. Self reported that the Town was in the process of hiring a new town engineer and a water quality lab technician.  He provided the Board with monthly department reports.

            Mr. Self then reported that a recent gift to the Town of a parcel of property near Bass Lake was conditioned by a 60-year title search when the original motion was made to accept the gift.

            Mr. Pearson advised that the Town could save its legal resources by approving a motion to amend the original motion to call for a 30-year title search rather than the more extensive and time-consuming 60-year title search.

            Action: The Board approved a motion to amend the original motion to accept a grant of land from the Grantham family subject to a 30-year title search rather than a 60-year title search.

            Motion By: Sack

            Second By: Atwell

            Vote: unanimous

 

12.  Adjournment – There being no further business for the evening, the Dec. 11, 2000 meeting of the Holly Springs Board of Commissioners was adjourned at 10:31 p.m. following a motion by Commissioner Schifano, a second by Commissioner Atwell, and a unanimous vote.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001,

 

 

 

 

______________________________

Joni Powell, CMC

Town Clerk

Addendum pages, as referenced in these minutes, follow and are a part of the official record of this meeting.