3/24/03

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0968dfc3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Planning Commission Meeting Notes Occa"><U><B>Planning Commission Meeting Notes  - Occasional Meetings </B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=130 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0978dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336666" FACE="Arial" ><B>Welcome to the Web Site of Clare Whitbeck</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Welcome to the Web Site of Clare Whitbec"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id83.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="11/12/02"><U>11/12/02</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id87.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="11/25/02"><U>11/25/02</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id90.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12/9/02"><U>12/9/02</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1/27/03"><U>1/27/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id109.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" 3/10/03"><U> 3/10/03</U></A>   |   <B>3/24/03</B>   |   <A HREF="id150.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="9/8/03"><U>9/8/03</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=350 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0978dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>3/24/03</I></div> <div> When I arrived, the Planning Commission was discussing an unheard issue before the meeting with John Norris.  Present were Lawrence Chase, Jim Raley, Larry Greenwell, John Taylor, Julie King Steve Reeves, and Joe St. Clair.  They welcomed George Forrest as the new Zoning Administrator.  Phil Shire, of Planning and Zoning,  presented the Dunleigh Subdivision on Rue Purchase Road.  According to Planning Staff there are no issues.  Shire said Frank Cox of State Highway Administration does not want a signal at Rue Purchase Road.  Joe St. Clair said he thinks a signal is needed irrespective of what State Highway says.  St. Clair said he is confused as to what the island will do to control the traffic flow.  Taylor said the State is stopping the flow from all directions without putting up a light.  St. Clair asked if an emergency vehicle can cross the road.  Greenwell said the EMS must go south a bit.  The Rue Purchase Road people cannot cross the highway.  The Planning Commission approved the grandfathered project by a vote of 7 - 0.  The next topic was the decision on Zoning Text Amendments from the March 10 meeting.  One person commented it would cause him difficulty if building a retirement home.  Jim Raley asked about the comment “the lettering is off here.  Mr. Taylor said the Planning Commission used to be able to issue waivers.  In his 6 years he held true to the principle, it had to be family.  “We are still a rural county,” said John Taylor.  He continued by saying we have situations that cause people trouble.  If we pass this change we have no way to give that person relief.  He suggested tabling the change that went to public hearing and preparing another change.  Steve Reeves said there are bad standards and there are good ones.  There ought to be a step up.  St. Clair said he thought he was here to help people.  Shire said the BOCC had decided that any subdivision that had been in review as of May 2000 could go forward.  He noted that there would be about 6 subdivision that could get relief.  Shire said they could get relief through the Board of Appeals.  Mr. Norris said the variance process requires that the applicant show some hardship to qualify for a variance.  Jim Raley concurred with Taylor.  When we advertised the new Zoning Ordinance we were making it easier on the citizens, but we are making it harder on the citizens.  You are usurping the property owners rights.  It seems odd we would control like that.  Taylor said they can pass a motion to table this and have staff schedule a public hearing to change this.  Chase said aren’t we taking responsibility back here?  Taylor said so much of their business is going to the Appeals Board they have time to work on these issues.  The vote was 6 - 0.  Taylor said they have not completed their business for the Christian School.  He wanted a hearing to change to the Comprehensive Plan.  Norris said the map has not yet been amended.  The Comprehensive Plan has been amended, the sewer and water plan has been amended, but the map has not.  Raley said he is concerned about the length of time this whole process has taken.  He thinks we have been through 6 or 7 processes too many to approve this good process.  St. Clair said they wanted the County Attorney to ensure that this hadn’t been done.  </div> <div> Next came an overview of the Sub-Plans incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan on Page 105.  Jeff Jackman said to talk about these plans he would like to have staff that implements plans present, more than can be done tonight.  The intent is to give an overview of the plans listed on Page 105.  Jackman said there are a couple of holes in the list.  He talked with Carolyn Luray about the Regional Tourism Plan for the Tri-County area..  The first step would be for the BOCC to include the Tourism Plan into the Comprehensive Plan.  The sooner the Planning Commission takes ownership of the Tourism plan the sooner the Plan would be approved.  Jackman said he understands there is a consulting firm due to complete a draft regional heritage plan in the first part of April.  If you take the April 14 meeting to be your sub plan night, I would have that plan.  If it’s not ready we’ll do the Comprehensive Sewer and Water Plan that night.  George Forrest added that he is asking if they want to do more integrated planning is that the BOCC is pushing tourism.  Carolyn Luray will do the briefing and it will fit with the Comprehensive Plan.  He hopes they will approve the schedule so they can line up the meetings.  Jackman said the Sewer and Water Plan will be ready Wednesday.  Raley asked about May 27.  Jackman said it’s a Tuesday following Memorial Day.  It’s a public hearing day.  </div> <div> Taylor asked the County Attorney about the question with regard to Pembrooke.  Ms Springrose, Assistant County Attorney,  was unable to run down to answer to the question.  Erichsen was to look in his file.  She has had no luck.  Taylor said not to find an existing opinion, but give us an opinion.  She has to have the previous opinion.  Norris said MetCom has had the right of condemnation for some time. She hopes to have an answer in a week or so.  George Forrest said he would light a fire under Mr. Erichsen.  Springrose asked Lacer and he has no record.  Springrose said it was a general legal opinion concerning rights of way and to what extent the County owned the land under the road.  </div> <div> The meeting was adjourned.     </div> </td> </tr></table></body>