Town of Holly Springs

Board of Commissioners Continued Meeting

Thursday, March 16, 2000

(Continuation of Meeting Convened on March 7, 2000)

MINUTES

The Holly Springs Town Board of Commissioners continued its regular session of Tuesday, March 7, 2000 when it convened on Thursday, March 16, 2000 in the Town Board meeting chambers, located in Town Hall, 128 S. Main St. Mayor Gerald W. Holleman presided, calling the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. A quorum was established as the mayor and four board members were present as the meeting opened.

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

Board Members Absent: Commissioner Tim Sack.

Staff Members Present: Richard B. Self, town manager; and Joni Powell, town clerk (recording the minutes).

13. Discussion on Signs – This evening was set aside for open communications between the Board of Commissioners and local developer/builders regarding the proliferation of off-premise signs. There was much discussion during the evening, and the highlights of the topics are below:

Developers made the following points:

1) That off-premise signs are critical for housing sales, and housing sales are critical for the Town.

1) That developments not located on main roadways through Holly Springs especially depend on posted information to provide potential homebuyers directions to their developments. Potential homebuyers also depend on these signs for assistance.

1) That off-premise signs – specifically, real estate signs – are a “necessary evil” for a continued thriving economy in Holly Springs and perhaps some compromises could be made.

1) That most real estate companies would be willing to limit the number and location of off-premise signs if such arrangements could be made.

1) That a high percentage of housing sales are due to signs posted off-premise.

1) That other communities enforce their similar ordinances during the week and not on the weekends. Since most home sales occur from weekend showings, developers urged commissioners to consider this angle.

1) That the signs are critical because most homebuyers coming to Holly Springs on the weekends are unfamiliar with the Town because they don’t live here yet. They need assistance finding places like Holly Glen or Avent Acres.

Commissioners stand by the adopted ordinance, but some indicated a willingness to come up with a solution to satisfy both the private and public interests. Commissioner Dickson said he was reluctant to compromise because he had no confidence that real estate companies would comply.

Two suggestions that received favorable nod included: posting at key locations attractive and uniformly-designed directional signs for several developments on a single pole; or allowing signs on weekends, but in limited numbers and locations (less popular with the Board).

In the end, the Board directed the Town Manager to meet with a number of developers to mete out some suggested solutions and report to the Board with conclusions.

No further action taken.

14. Closed Session – Commissioner Atwell asked that the Board enter into a personnel-related Closed Session for the purpose of discussing an issue involving the Town Manager.

No action was taken in Closed Session.

General Account of Closed Session – March 16, 2000

Commissioner Atwell advised the Town Manager of a problem he had with a response given during the meeting. The Board and the Town Manager discussed the problem and resolved it. The Board returned to Open Session.

–- End of General Account

In Open Session:

Commissioner Schifano moved that the Board reopen its meeting to the public. Commissioner Dickson seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

15. Adjournment – There being no further business for the evening, the March 7 and 16 meeting of the Holly Springs Town Board of Commissioners was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. following a motion by Commissioner Womble, a second by Commissioner Atwell and a unanimous vote.

Respectfully Submitted on Tuesday, April 18, 2000,

______________________________

Joni Powell, CMC

Town Clerk

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