January 29, 2008 - 7:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

10 560 Meeting of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners January 29 , 2008 Special Meeting The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday , January 29 , 2008 at 7 00 pm in The Clayton Center Council Chambers located at 111 East Second Street , Clayton , North Carolina The following members were present Present Wade M Stewart , Vice Chairman , Allen L Mims , Jr , Jeffrey P Carver , DeVan Barbour and Tony Braswell Absent Cookie Pope and W Ray Woodall Also Present Rick J Hester , County Manager , Paula G Woodard , Clerk to the Board , and Berry Gray , Planning Director Vice Chairman Wade M Stewart called the meeting to order by welcoming everyone and announced the purpose of the meeting was to receive citizen input concerning land use planning and related issues in Johnston County The Commissioners and staff introduced themselves to the audience 1 Discussions Concerning Land Use Planning and Related Issues At the Vice Chairman’s request , Planning Director Berry Gray reviewed with everyone some of the items the County currently utilizes related to land use planning Mr Gray stated through the Land Development Code , the County has in place subdivision regulations , zoning regulations , floodplain regulations and stormwater management rules Further , Mr Gray stated county - wide zoning has been in place since 1991 and he noted the zoning ordinance was revised in October 2000 to include the zoning specifications Mr Gray provided an overview of the recently established Western Johnston County Comprehensive Transportation Plan developed by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization for the townships that border Wake County and noted this plan identifies needed roadway improvements for the future in the western area of the County The County requires Traffic Impact Analysis reports for larger projects considering development which helps to anticipate improvements needed to alleviate potential traffic concerns Mr Gray reported in addition to the Mountains to the Sea Trail Master Plan , the County utilizes a land use policy guide , endorsed by the Commissioners , which identifies areas of concern and how those areas of concern can be addressed The Planning Department offers many of its policies and guidelines on the County’s website The Vice Chairman called for any citizens wishing to address the Board to come forward Sherry Altman , 15 Lafoy Drive , Glen Laurel Subdivision , Clayton , expressed concerns regarding the road conditions on Glen Laurel Road associated with new subdivision construction and stormwater runoff Ms Altman also noted the construction of two new schools in the east Clayton area and asked if there are future plans for transportation improvements in this location Commissioner Allen L Mims , Jr stated the Department of Transportation is responsible for all road construction projects in the rural areas of the County and are limited by the lack of funding On many occasions , the DOT and or County will require developers to widen roads , install traffic signals and add turn lanes to new developments to alleviate traffic congestion He noted the County is a member of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization as well as a Rural Planning Organization which all help to identify and plan for roadway improvements Commissioner Mims agreed that transportation issues should continue to be evaluated as well as be included as a component of a potential comprehensive land use plan Commissioner DeVan Barbour stated traffic is a major problem in the County ; however , the DOT is requiring more improvements to be constructed by developers Generally most of the improvement requirements consist of ingress and egress at it relates to new subdivision projects Ms Altman noted more traffic signals need to be installed near the East Clayton Elementary School on NC Hwy 42 as well as at the new school site Commissioner Barbour agreed that more traffic signals in the east Clayton area should be reviewed to address safety issues Commissioner Mims confirmed the DOT is reviewing plans for traffic improvements in the east Clayton area ; however , he felt many of the residents may not be satisfied with the plans near Castleberry Road Page561 January 29 , 2008 - 7 00 pm Continued Vice Chairman Stewart stated the County’s Planning Department and Planning Board , when reviewing plans for a subdivision or other development , works with the DOT to identify and address potential traffic problems He noted the County’s Planning Board on many occasions , has had the foresight to require additional traffic improvements by developers , to avoid congestion Further , the Commissioners stay in contact with DOT representatives keeping them aware of traffic issues in the County and asking for more solutions He encouraged the citizens to contact the County Manager with specific problem areas so the Commissioners can notify the DOT Commissioner Jeffrey P Carver also encouraged everyone to contact the State Legislative representation and ask for additional funding for DOT projects After further discussion with Ms Altman regarding the Glen Laurel Subdivision area , it was noted that the area is within the Town of Clayton’s jurisdiction Suntemple Helgren , 142 Aleah Court , Austin Pond Subdivision , Clayton , stated he feels the County is operating in a reactive approach to growth rather than being proactive Mr Helgren noted his concerns that school construction and traffic improvements are not keeping pace with the current rate of growth Vice Chairman Stewart agreed that when working with the DOT regarding traffic improvements , it is often in a reactionary mode He expressed the difficulties the Board faces in trying to find the proper balance for growth and development Elizabeth Carter , 50 Austin Pond Road , Austin Pond Subdivision , Clayton , voiced concerns regarding the recently approved Cunningham Tract subdivision and how the new development is going to affect Austin Pond Subdivision’s wastewater system Ms Carter stated she is concerned that part of the Cunningham Tract wastewater system will tie into the Austin Pond development and asked for more information Commissioner Mims stated the Cunningham Tract wastewater system will be served via a gravity flow system down to a pump station near Austin Pond , while the older parts of the Austin Pond development utilize septic tank systems Commissioner Mims assured Ms Carter that the County’s Public Utilities Department is responsible for ensuring proper wastewater disposal At the request of Commissioner Mims , Planning Director Berry Gray provided an overview of the process a developer must undertake in order to receive approval for a new subdivision Mr Gray reiterated that even with the Planning Board’s conditional approval of a subdivision , the developer must take further steps to meet requirements set by the Public Utilities Department or the Environmental Health Department as well as the Department of Transportation before construction can begin Vice Chairman Stewart noted the County staff is always available to further clarify the development process Commissioner Tony Braswell stated he along with other officials will be meeting next month with the DOT to review the proposed Transportation Improvements Program through the year 2013 in an effort to prioritize projects Commissioner Braswell noted areas with safety issues combined with high fatality incidents receive the higher priority rankings He cautioned some of the improvement projects would take a few years to complete ; however , he is well aware of the traffic problems within the County Commissioner Braswell reported public hearings regarding the Transportation Improvement Program will be held in the future Suzanne Flynt , 95 St Jiles Drive , Austin Pond Subdivision , Clayton , referenced the Growth Management Committee and Blue Ribbon Committee recommendations and asked what the plans were for the future Vice Chairman Stewart indicated now that the last community meeting was being held , the Board will plan to meet and discuss the feedback they have received in order to make some decisions regarding the future Diana Belden , 10 Cricket Hollow Run , Clayton , asked if the County adopted a comprehensive land use plan , would it affect residents within the Town of Clayton Commissioner Mims confirmed a plan adopted by the County would not affect residents inside municipal city limits or ETJ areas Page562 January 29 , 2008 - 7 00 pm Continued Ms Belden stated she would like to see a coordinated effort between the County and the towns concerning land use planning Ms Belden further stated while she congratulated the Board on recent efforts to secure an adequate water supply , she felt there is sometimes an avoidance in facing other issues related to adopting a land use plan Ms Belden noted her concerns regarding traffic congestion in the western area of the County Commissioner Mims stated he believes the County is working better with the municipalities than in the past and noted some recent cooperative projects ; however , he acknowledged it can be difficult to get the State , County , and local officials all working together Vice Chairman Stewart assured everyone the Board is well aware of the traffic problems in the County and the Board will continue to work with the Department of Transportation Ms Belden noted the importance of preserving the land and stated it may be time to consider slowing the growth in the County to allow schools and traffic improvements to catch up Mr Helgen informed the Board that he felt everyone wants growth ; however , it must be properly planned Laura Marciniak , 993 Lee Road , Clayton , asked if the Board was in favor of developing a comprehensive land use plan Commissioner Mims stated the Board has authorized staff to seek proposals for outside consulting services to assist with developing a comprehensive land use plan Ms Marciniak expressed concerns to the Board regarding proper planning for growth , adequate water supplies , school construction , and transportation Chris Dowdle , 240 East Walker Woods Lane , Clayton , inquired about plans to protect the Neuse River Planning Director Berry Gray stated all streams within Johnston County are required to have a 50 ft undisturbed buffer on both sides which is regulated by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality In the areas designated as environmentally sensitive districts , a 100 ft buffer is required The Division of Water Quality employs inspectors to review potential violations He reported the Johnston County Public Utilities Department also has one in - house staff person who can assist with determining violations and contacting the appropriate State personnel Leslie Hubbard , 315 Barnes Street , Clayton , asked if penalties could be assessed against developers who disturb areas within the stream buffers Mr Gray reported the State does have procedures in place to address violators In response to questions from Ms Altman , Commissioner Mims stated one of the largest concerns of the Board is constructing new schools to keep school capacities at a manageable level and noted approximately 50 of the County’s budget is devoted to funding the school system as well as debt service for school construction projects Stuart McLeod , 112 Hibiscus Drive , Clayton , stated he recognizes the difficulties associated with managing growth in the County in that the needs are different among the communities Mr McLeod stressed the importance of recreation in the County He asked the Board to take into account the recreation needs as they consider the quality of life in Johnston County Mr McLeod questioned the ownership status of land near the recently demolished Lowell Mill dam near Kenly , stating this site could possibly be utilized as a park setting Commissioner Braswell responded the County currently owns the site near the former Lowell Mill dam and has offered the property to the Town of Kenly ; however , due to opposition by some Kenly residents over the removal of the dam , the Town has yet to accept the County’s offer He noted when the County began to review recreation needs , it was discovered those needs totaled approximately 40 million Commissioner Braswell stated that the County did initiate a 36 million recreation bond which will be used to help expand parks and recreation programs across the County Further , the County has partnered with Johnston County Schools to purchase additional acreage for new school sites to allow for expanded recreational opportunities He acknowledged there is much work to be done for recreation Page563 January 29 , 2008 - 7 00 pm Continued Commissioner Carver stated the County is responsible for balancing all the needs of the citizens including public health and safety , social services , mental health services , school construction , and infrastructure He noted the difficulties the Board encounters when trying to maintain the current level of all services without raising taxes Jason Sfreddo , 250 Dory Lane , Austin Pond Subdivision , Clayton , inquired as to the current debt level of the County and questioned if the County should take steps to decrease growth density Commissioner Carver stated the County will never be out of debt ; however , the key is how the debt is managed He noted the County is financially sound but it will continue to be a balancing act Commissioner Mims stated the purpose of the Growth Management Committee’s recommendation regarding density requirements was to require developers to obtain special use permits so the Board could then require the developers to help address growth problems in the County He stated the County is struggling to continue to build new schools each year at the current tax rate Commissioner Mims noted the County’s landfill has 92 years of life and water and wastewater expansions are underway The Board will continue to review recreation needs as well as stay in contact with the DOT regarding traffic improvement projects Brack Wilson , 382 Falls Drive , Clayton , thanked the Board for coming to the Clayton community and noted sooner or later the County would be facing a tax rate increase in order to keep up with the rate of growth Mr Wilson inquired as to the County’s involvement with the Town of Four Oaks concerning a new industrial park project Commissioner Stewart responded the Board approved up to 1 million in funding to assist with infrastructure extensions to the first phase of the industrial park , when and if development materializes The Town of Four Oaks is working with the Keith Corporation to develop the park Commissioner Stewart noted having the proper workforce in place for prospective industries is essential and has been a limiting factor in the past for the County Commissioner Stewart reminded everyone that the Board meets each month on the first Monday and the public is always invited to attend to speak under the public comment section regarding any further concerns that arise County Manager Rick Hester informed everyone that the Planning Department offers an E - mail List Program in an effort to keep citizens better informed on issues upcoming by the Planning Board and the Board of Commissioners After further discussion , it was the unanimous consensus of the Board to have individual conversations with the audience members and adjourn at 9 00 pm ____________________________ Wade M Stewart , Vice Chairman Paula G Woodard , Clerk to the BoardPage