Town of Holly Springs

Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001

 

MINUTES

 

The Holly Springs Town Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001 in the Town Board meeting chambers, located in Town Hall, 128 S. Main St.  Mayor Parrish L. Womble presided, calling the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.  A quorum was established as the mayor and four board members were present as the meeting opened.

 

Board Members Present:  Commissioners Tim Sack, John Schifano, Chet VanFossen, and Hank Dickson and Mayor Womble.

 

Board Members Absent: Commissioner Atwell arrived at 7:07 p.m.

 

Staff Members Present: Carl G. Dean, town manager; Ernest C. Pearson, town attorney; Joni Powell, town clerk (recording the minutes); Linda Harper, deputy town clerk; Gina Bobber, planning and zoning director, Cecil Parker, chief of public safety; Drew Holland, finance director; Stephanie Sudano, director of engineering; and Len Bradley, director of parks and recreation.

 

2 and 3.  The pledge of allegiance was recited, and the meeting opened with an invocation by Mayor Womble.

 

4a.  Public Hearing: Annexation A01-05, Thomas W. Prince, Jr. and Sue C. Prince – Ms. Bobber explained that the town has received a petition for voluntary annexation of 57.75 acres of land located near the intersection of Avent Ferry Road and Piney Grove-Wilbon Road.   The subject property is the proposed site of Autumn Park Planned Unit Development.  The petition meets all the statutory requirements for annexation.  A development plan for this property was held by the Planning Board for further discussion at its Oct. 23 meeting; therefore, no action will be requested on the annexation of this property until the first meeting in November along with a related request for rezoning and the PUD application, she said.

            With that explanation completed, Mayor Womble opened the public hearing.  There were no comments for or against the petition, and the public hearing was closed.

 

4b.  Public Hearing: 01-SUP-08, Retirement Center for Ruby and Xavier Artis – Ms. Bobber explained that the applicant is requesting a Special Use Permit and zoning permit to allow for the construction of an 8-unit apartment building for the elderly on the owner's property on Crittenden Lane.

            The development would be constructed on 0.74 acres of a 2.01-acre tract of land.  A minor subdivision of the existing tract would be required since no more than one principal building or use may be erected on a single lot of record in the R-10 Special Use District.  This subdivision would be an administrative approval -- subject to the approval of the Special Use Permit and zoning permit -- since there will be no additional dedication of right-of-way or extension of utilities and easements required for the subdivision, she said.

 The applicant must meet all the general and specific conditions related to the special use permit.  Ms. Bobber advised the Board that the applicant has responded to all conditions in writing and has submitted all required plans.

Ms. Bobber added that a zoning permit request has been filed in conjunction with the special use permit since the same plans are required for the zoning permit as are for the special use permit.  She added that staff has worked with the applicant through this process and recommends approval with attached conditions.  The planning board has reviewed both requests and recommends approval with attached conditions.  Ms. Bobber advised the Town Board that, upon making the findings of fact regarding the special use permit, action can be made on both applications simultaneously.

Ms.  Bobber explained that the purpose of the public hearing is to receive sworn testimony and evidence the application does or does not satisfy the general and specific conditions required by Town Code.

            With that explanation completed, Mayor Womble opened the public hearing to accept sworn testimony.  The following witnesses, under oath administered by the town clerk, testified:

            Mr. Xavier Artis, 3513 Crittenden Lane – Mr. Artis submitted his application and supporting documents into the sworn record.

            Mr. Vernon Hershburg, 5821 Holly Springs Road – Mr. Hershburg submitted the application and supporting documents into the sworn record as well as engineer for the project.

            There being no further witnesses to testify, the public hearing was closed.

 

5.  Agenda Adjustment – Oct. 2, 2001 meeting agenda was adopted with changes, if any, as listed below.

            Motion Made By: Sack

            Motion Seconded By: Dickson

            Vote: Unanimous.

            Items Added to Agenda:  Consideration of a professional services proposal with the Jennings Company for economic development services to prepare and market the Town for bio-tech industries was added under New Business as Item 7d.

            Consent Agenda Items Removed:  None

            Other Changes: None.

 

6.  Consent Agenda – All items on the Consent Agenda were approved following a motion by Commissioner Dickson a second by Commissioner Atwell and a unanimous vote.  The following actions were affected:

            6a.  Wescott Subdivision Recreation Center.01-ZPF-08 – The Board approved zoning permit 01-ZPF-08 for Wescott Recreation Area, as submitted by Jerry Turner & Associates, File No. 528/ Job No. 2789, stamped received by the Planning and Zoning Department on 9/10/01 pending satisfaction of the following six (6) conditions/comments:

1.  The temporary sales office shall be built according to the design standards specified in the ordinance for sales trailers.  The trailer shall be permissible for a period of one year beginning at the time of occupancy, and shall be required to be renewed for additional one-year periods, but shall not exceed four years.

2.  A building permit will not be issued for Lot 19 until the lot is recorded and the temporary sales office is removed.

3.  Within 30 days of removal of the temporary sales office a 10-foot opaque buffer will be installed between the recreation lot and Lot 19.

4.  A Certificate of Occupancy will not be approved for Lot 19 until the Department of Planning & Zoning has approved the required opaque buffer.

5.  Construction drawing approval required before construction may begin.

6.  Parks and Recreation Department - The developer has agreed to reserve space for greenway easement on the existing CP&L right-of-way.  This area is not recommended for dedication at this time.  Staff recommends approval as presented.

            6b.   Gateway Planning Services Contract – The Board authorized the town manager to enter into a contract in the amount of $4,850 with Elam, Todd, d’Ambrosi Professional Services for gateway planning in Holly Springs.  A copy of the contract is incorporated into these minutes as addendum pages.

            6c.  Town of Holly Springs Personnel Policy – The Board approved updates to the Town of Holly Springs Personnel Policy. A copy of the latest version of  the Town of Holly Springs Personnel Policy is maintained in the office of the Human Resources Director, but is not made a part of these minutes as it is subject to amendment from time to time.

            6d.  Budget Amendment, FY 2000-01 – A budget amendment to the prior FY 2000-01 budget in the amount of $112,000 was adopted to correct the original budget ordinance. A copy of the amendment is incorporated into these minutes as an addendum page.

            6e.  Traffic Control Services – The Board approved a request to authorize the Department of Public Safety to establish a program for non-sworn officers to provide traffic control services for school traffic as needed and for other events as available.  Four non-sworn individuals will work approximately two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon to assist sworn officers in traffic control duties. These individuals will also be used for other town events.

A copy of the Non-sworn Traffic Control Officer Program is maintained in the Department of Public Safety office.

6f.  Minutes - Minutes of the Board’s regular meeting held Sept. 4, 2001 were approved.

 

7a.  Special Use Permit Application 01-SUP-08; Retirement Center for Ruby and Xavier Artis   Ms. Bobber explained that the Planning Board and staff have reviewed the application and related site plan and recommend approval of both with two attached conditions:  1)  Prior to construction drawing approval, a minor subdivision to create a separate lot of record for this facility will need to be prepared and recorded and 2)  a lighting plan is to be submitted with  first construction drawings.

            The Board set about making their findings of fact on the application and site plan.

A.  That all applicable specific conditions pertaining to the proposed use have been or will be satisfied.   According to Part 9, Chapter 4050.3 of the Holly Springs Town Code, there are seven (7) Specific Conditions for Multi-Family Complexes.

            (1) Density:  Maximum density shall be 10 units per acre developed on not less than 20,000 square foot tracts.

(2) Building separations and height restrictions:  Where more than one building is to be located on the site, building separation shall be determined as follows:

The minimum horizontal distance between the vertical projections of any points on two adjacent buildings shall be determined according to the following table.  The vertical projections for each building shall be drawn from that point on each building which is horizontally closest to the other building.

 

Height of Taller Building                     Minimum Horizontal Distance

Between Vertical Projections

                        20 feet or less                                                                16 feet

                        20.1 feet – 25.0 feet                                                       25 feet

                        25.1 feet – 30.0 feet                                                       30 feet

                        30.1 feet – 35.0 feet                                                       40 feet

 

(3) Distance related to windows:  The minimum distance between the centers of facing windows of different dwelling units shall be 20 feet.

(4) Perimeter Setback:  A yard of at least 30 feet shall be provided around the entire perimeter of the site, with the exception of driveways and shall include one row buffer (semi-opaque buffer) which shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the revisions of Section 9-4017.  Parking spaces and accessory buildings shall not be permitted in the required setback area.

(5) Access for emergency and other vehicles:  Access for emergency vehicles to all parts of the complex and to each dwelling unit shall be provided.

(6) Accessory Buildings:  Accessory Buildings and uses for multi-family dwellings shall not be placed in the 30 foot yard around the perimeter of the site.

(7) Other permitted on-site uses:  The Holly Springs Board of Commissioners may approve the inclusion of leasing offices, coin operated laundry facilities, swimming pool snack bars, and similar other services for residents of the complex only, and will not attract outside traffic to the site.

Action #1:  The Board approved a motion that the application and associated site plan satisfy the seven Specific Conditions and are accepted by the Board as findings.

Motion By:  Schifano

Second By:  Sack        

Vote:  Unanimous

 

B.  Access roads or entrance and exit drives are or will be sufficient in size and properly located to ensure automotive and pedestrian safety and convenience, traffic flow and control and access in case of fire or other emergency.

C.  Off-street parking, loading, refuse, and other service areas are located so as to be safe, convenient, allow for access in case of emergency, and to minimize economic, glare, odor, and other impacts on adjoining properties and properties in the general neighborhood.

D.  Utilities, schools, fire, police and other necessary public and private facilities and services will be adequate to handle the proposed use.

E.  The location and arrangement of the use on the site, screening, buffering, landscaping, and pedestrian ways harmonize with adjoining properties and the general area and minimize adverse impacts.

Commissioner Dickson asked if the north elevation could be adjusted so that more windows are present.

Ms. Bobber submitted a copy of the floor plan into the record for review.

Mr. Artis said he could add windows on that side to provide a balance to the exterior appearance of the building.

F.  The type, size, and intensity of the proposed use, including such considerations as the hours of operation and numbers of people who are likely to utilize or be attracted to the use, will not have significant adverse impacts on adjoining properties or the neighborhood.

Action #2:  The The Board approved a motion that the application and associated site plan satisfy the six General Conditions and are accepted by the Board as findings.

Motion By:  VanFossen

Second By:  Sack

Vote:  Unanimous

 

            Action:  Having determined that sufficient evidence was presented that the application would meet the six general conditions and seven specific conditions as specified in the Town Code, the Town Board approved a motion to accept the findings of fact as summarized and grant 01-SUP-08 and approve the zoning permit (01-ZPF-09) for the Ruby and Xavier Artis Retirement Center as recommended by the Planning Board and staff with the following two (2) attached conditions:

1.  prior to construction drawing approval, a minor subdivision to create a separate lot of record for this facility will need to be prepared and recorded.

2.       the lighting plan is to be submitted with first construction drawings.

3.       A window(s) be added to the north elevation of the building in order to balance the

appearance of the building’s exterior.

            Motion By:  Sack

            Second By:  Atwell

            Vote: Unanimous

            Special Use Permit Application 01-SUP-08 and its related site plan were submitted into the record and are incorporated into these minutes as addendum pages.

 

7b.  Holly Glen East, 01-PUD-01, Planned Unit Development – Ms. Bobber explained that the Town Board and the Planning Board had held a joint public hearing on this subject on Sept. 18.  At its Sept. 25 meeting, the planning board reviewed the application and, after discussion, approved a motion to recommend approval of the Holly Glen East PUD with conditions.

      Ms. Bobber said the proposed Holly Glen East PUD contains 59.22 acres and proposes a density of 3.07 units per acre on approximately 182 lots.  The proposed use of the PUD is for single-family residential only with a minimum lot size of 7,250 square feet and an average lot size of 9,587 square feet.

Deviations from the development standards that are requested for the Holly Glen East PUD are from lot dimension and minimum setbacks.  Water and sewer are available to the site at this time, she added.

In discussion, Commissioner VanFossen asked if drainage concerns brought up by residents during the public hearing have been addressed.

Steve Johnson of Covenant Developers addressed the question.  He said some of the drainage problems experienced by individual homeowners have been addressed.  He said he is working with the homeowners association to come up with a compromise that would solve the problems on property owned by the homeowners association.

Action:  The Board approved a motion to approve the Holly Glen East PUD 01-PUD-01 as submitted by Blackburn Consulting Engineering for Covenant Developers, Project Number J-362(P), dated Aug. 27, 2001 with the following five (5) conditions as recommended by staff and the planning board:

1.       Note that full subdivision plans will need to be approved by the Town Board and construction plans will be required prior to any development.

2.       Note that waterline sizing is required for schematic only at this time and size may change during construction drawing review.

3.       Revised Plans showing the existing subdivision on all sheets will be required to be submitted for final stamped Approved PUD plans.

4.       Only the 1.85 acre tract is to be accepted for dedication as a public park area.  A 1.85 acre public park will provide credit for 65 lots, therefore, the developer will be required to pay fee-in-lieu-of dedication for 117 lots at a rate of $800/lot for a total fee of $93,600.  Any lots over 182 will be assessed a fee to be determined by the Town Board upon approval of such preliminary subdivision plan.

5.       The following items are to be included on construction drawings (later in the approval process):

·         Fire flow calculations will be required with construction plan submittal.

·         A drainage study including downstream impacts.

·         A traffic study to determine if additional roadway turn lane improvements are warranted on Avent Ferry Road

            Motion By: Schifano

            Second By:  Atwell

            Vote: Unanimous

 

7c.  Holly Glen East, 01-MAS-07, Phases 1-4  Ms. Bobber explained that the planning board reviewed and discussed both the Planned Unit Development and the subdivision plan on Sept. 25 and approved a motion to recommend approval of the preliminary plat with conditions, subject to Town Board approval of the Holly Glen East PUD application.  Ms. Bobber added that approval of the preliminary plan would include all conditions of the PUD plan approval.

            The proposed Holly Glen East PUD contains 59.22 acres.  The subdivision consists of four phases and would create 182 lots with a minimum lot size of 7,250 square feet, Ms. Bobber said.

Action:  The Board approved a motion to approve the preliminary plat for Holly Glen East Phases 1-4, 01-MAS-07 as submitted by Blackburn Consulting, applicant, Project Number: J-362(P), stamped received by the Planning and Zoning Department August 27, 2001 with the following conditions as recommended by the staff and planning board:

            Motion By: Atwell

            Second By:  Dickson

            Vote: Unanimous

 

7d.  Economic Development – Mr. Dean reported to the Board that bio-tech parks were a type of industry the Town would be interested in attracting.  On the suggestion of Ken Atkins of the Wake County Economic Development program, the Town’s economic development director, Jennifer Carr, contacted a consultant.  The Jennings Company of Chapel Hill, Mr. Dean said, could help the Town to determine what is needed in order to attract bio-tech industries during a  12-week process.  Cost of the proposal, Mr. Dean said, is $15,000, which is available in the Town’s Economic Development budget.  He added that Information provided by the consultant will be available for a winter retreat of the Board.

            Action:  The Board approved a motion to enter into a contract with Jennings Company of Chapel Hill in the amount of $15,000 to provide consultant services that would assist the Town in attracting bio-tech manufacturing companies.    

            Motion By:  Sack

            Second By:  Atwell

            Vote:  Unanimous

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

 

8.  Public Comment – At this time, an opportunity was provided for members of the audience to address the Board on any variety of topics not listed on the night’s agenda.  The following comments were offered:

            A resident of Holly Glen asked if the Board’s motion to approve the Holly Glen PUD included conditions recommended by staff and the Planning Board.  Mrs. Bobber said yes.

 

9.  Other Business   Commissioner Schifano stressed that he wants discussion of the Town’s drainage issue placed on the Oct. 16 meeting agenda.

            Mrs. Sudano addressed the Board.  She reported that large culverts have been identified at four locations that were in need of debris removal.  She said that the Public Works Department was working at those locations.  She also reported that every drainage complaint received by the Town has been investigated.  She said she is aware that there needs to be a townwide solution, and that she intends to bring a proposal to the Board on Oct. 16 for its consideration.  The proposal is for the hiring of an expert in urban drainage to look at areas of Holly Springs where there have been multiple complaints.

            Commissioner Schifano said he would like the consultant to address what is the public liability in the case the Town is charged with negligently allowing construction that caused a drainage problem.

            Mr. Dean said the Town tactic will be to address the town as a whole and not individual complaints.

 

10.     Manager’s Reports – Mr. Dean reminded the Board that Holly Springs is hosting the Wake

County Economic Development Commission at HomeGrown Pizza on Thursday.  He said the new town limits signs are going up.  He reported on the luncheon/open house held Sept. 27 at the public works facility on Thomas Mill Road.

 

11.  Closed Session – None.

 

12.  Adjournment  – There being no further business for the evening, the Oct. 2, 2001 meeting of the Holly Springs Board of Commissioners was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. following a motion by Commissioner Sack, a second by Commissioner Atwell and a unanimous vote.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 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.