October 18, 1999 - 7:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

10 650 October 18 , 1999 Special Called Meeting The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session , Monday , October 18 , 1999 , at 7 00 pm in the Commissioners ' Room , Johnston County Courthouse Annex , Smithfield , North Carolina , with the following members Present James H Langdon , Jr , Chairman , Cookie Pope , Vice - Chairman , Jerry F Wood , DDS , Eleanor N Creech , Thomas M Moore , Wade M Stewart and Allen L Mims , Jr , Absent None Also Present Rick Hester , County Manager , Joyce H Ennis , Clerk to the Board , Mark Payne , County Attorney , and John R Massey , Finance Officer The Chairman called the meeting to order and announced this meeting is to discuss the proposed Growth Management Ordinance 1 Proposed Growth Management Ordinance Chairman Langdon noted that members of the Board have been working with a group from the Home Builders Association to attempt to find a middle ground on some of the issues concerning the proposed growth management ordinance The primary discussion has been the number of yearly permits that would be established by the ordinance , which would begin January 2000 This figure would be re - evaluated periodically and adjusted yearly on the basis of projected school population growth He stated the Home Builders representatives have indicated that 2300 permits would be the lowest number that would be acceptable to them That figure was based on the average number of permits over the past few years with the growth factor added for the new year Board members have expressed different ideas ranging from 1966 to 2200 permits He thanked everyone for their input but noted the decision on a number is ultimately up to the majority of the Board members Commissioner Allen L Mims , Jr stated , in his opinion , the Board should pick a number that would accomplish something He noted the Home Builders are looking at the last three years ' growth for their recommended figure , and that growth is what has created the problem He stated he and Commissioner Wade M Stewart have considered the needs of the Board of Education and the financial model , and feel if the County does not carry the growth curve along with the building curve , this ordinance would not be effective He recommended the limit be set at approximately 1966 permits Commissioner Eleanor N Creech stated she does not have a number but realizes the County needs to manage growth She stated , in her opinion , the County tax base could not afford a number that would have to be set in order to make a real difference She noted she has a number of concerns about this ordinance and feels the Board needs to be addressing development in the comprehensive land use plan Commissioner Cookie Pope stated she has looked at the number 1960 , but she would want this to be reviewed at least quarterly She pointed out , in her opinion , the County needs to stay within the realm indicated by the financial model Commissioner Thomas M Moore commented he is not comfortable with any of the numbers and does not feel this ordinance would affect the growth since it does not address building in the towns or their extraterritorial jurisdiction areas He stated the school's study shows the growth in student enrollment is expected to decrease after next year and asked what the ordinance would accomplish He agreed with Commissioner Creech that the Board should be looking at the proposed new development ordinance Commissioner Jerry F Wood stated he could support a number higher than the 1960 figure , but not too much higher He noted he has always believed the economy would take care of this problem , and still feels it might Page651 Commissioner Wade M Stewart noted the proposed ordinance might not accomplish what he hopes it will , but at least the Board , who is responsible for addressing these situations , will have done something He pointed out different people seem to have different figures , but the fact remains that the overcrowding of schools is now at the breaking point He noted he looked at the different projected percentages of children per house and used a median figure with his calculations Based on the estimate of one child per two households , and anticipating the number of permits for the towns , he stated he would like to see the number of permits limited to 1976 , which he rounded up from the original 1966 figure to represent an even number per week , based on the 52 weeks in the year He noted the Home Builders have asked the Board to reconsider the method of allocation and allow the permits to be issued on a " first come , first served basis " The original plan of allocation assured that every person who applies can build at least one house per year He voiced concern that the Home Builders ' proposal would not protect the individual builder and might have too many ramifications He stated he would prefer the original plan , which he called Plan A , over the proposed change from the Home Builders , which he referred to as Plan B Discussion ensued about the appropriate number of permits to be inserted in the proposed ordinance Commissioner Eleanor N Creech asked to read the following comments into the record Growth of Concern " No one seems to know what a real solid solution is - I certainly don't and I have many concerns and reservations about this plan I also have concerns and questions about the County's future financial predictions However , I realize that something needs to be done Johnston County can not keep on at this rapid pace of growth We need to slow down , stop and think , and do a better job of growth planning and growth management At this time there are many unanswered questions Our lawmakers in Raleigh need to realize and I think they do the situation counties are facing in trying to provide services and classrooms to such a growing population The Board of County Commissioners has made several attempts to get the General Assembly to hear our pleas for additional revenue sources - a one - cent sales tax , impact fee , land transfer fee - with the developers and Home Builders ' Association showing dramatic opposition - Is this proposed ordinance a lesser evil This Board has to find a solution - we are held accountable for providing schools for children and services for the citizens of this County in a fair and equitable manner We all should feel some responsibility , and we must face that responsibility together and in harmony Reducing a few numbers , in my opinion however , is not the answer without smart growth and planning and growth management Does this ordinance do that Is it going to be enforced , or are we just looking at numbers If you are going to endorse and manage this , look at # 4 under c of the proposed ordinance The citizens of Johnston County would be better served going to R - 40 and well - developed PUD's with no R - 30 zoning than with an ordinance where you enforce numbers and maybe just glance at residential development management I strongly support giving the citizens of our County a better environment , including larger lots - and certainly improved and better management of growth - and we must do a far greater job than just reducing a few building permits To reduce the number like we need to - Johnston County can't afford it " Following discussion , Commissioner Jerry F Wood moved the Board insert the number 2138 in the proposed ordinance as the number of yearly permits and pointed out the Board would look at this again in six months After further discussion , Commissioner Thomas M Moore seconded the motion stating he would support this larger number , but would not support the ordinance The Chairman called for a vote on the motion , which failed by the following vote Ayes James H Langdon , Jr , Jerry F Wood , Thomas M Moore No Cookie Pope , Allen L Mims , Jr , Eleanor N Creech and Wade M Stewart Commissioner Wade M Stewart moved the Board insert the number 1976 in the proposed ordinance as the number of yearly permits Commissioner Cookie Pope seconded the motion , which failed by the following vote Page652 Ayes Cookie Pope , Allen L Mims , Jr , and Wade M Stewart No Eleanor N Creech , Thomas M Moore , Jerry F Wood , and James H Langdon , Jr At the request of Chairman Langdon for a motion on a figure that would be halfway between the two previous numbers , Commissioner Jerry F Wood moved the number 2057 be inserted in the proposed ordinance Commissioner Wade M Stewart seconded the motion , which carried by the following vote Ayes James H Langdon , Jr , Jerry F Wood , Allen L Mims , Jr , and Wade M Stewart No Cookie Pope , Thomas M Moore , and Eleanor N Creech Chairman Langdon stated the second issue to consider is how the allocation process would be done Staff has provided the Board today with a revised proposed ordinance , which incorporates several changes suggested at the public hearing ; however , the Board needs more time to consider this new draft Commissioner Allen L Mims , Jr asked whether the home builders in attendance would prefer the " first come , first served " method or the allocation formula After a strong show of support for the " first come , first served " plan , Commissioner Mims stated he would support this method , with the understanding the Board could revert back to the allocation formula if this did not work Commissioner Wade M Stewart voiced concern about the one - time home builder if the allocation of permits are distributed on a first come , first served basis and suggested the Board look at this carefully and meet later in the month to consider the final adoption of the ordinance Other Board members agreed and it was decided to meet again in special session on October 26 , 1999 at 7 pm The being no further comments , Commissioner Cookie Pope moved the Board adjourn Commissioner Eleanor N Creech seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote _______________________________________ James H Langdon , Jr , Chairman _____________________________ Joyce H Ennis , ClerkPage