September 16, 1997 - 6:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Recessed)

September 16, 1997Recessed Regular Meeting of September 8, 1997 Resumed6 00 p mThe Johnston County Board of Commissioners resumed regular session Monday, September 16,1997, at 600 oclock pm in the Commissioners Room, Johnston County Courthouse Annex, Smithfield,North Carolina, with the following membersPresent Norman C Denning, Chairman, James W Cash, Vice Chairman, Jerry F Wood,DDS, Eleanor N Creech, Cookie Pope, Thomas M Moore and James H Langdon, JrAbsent NoneAlso Present Richard B Self, County Manager, and Joyce H Ennis, Clerk to the Board,Planning Staff, and Members of the Johnston County Planning BoardThe Chairman called the meeting to order and the following business was transacted1 Draft Copy of New Subdivision Ordinance PresentedDavid Roesler, County planner, presented to the Commissioners and Planning Board members, adraft copy of the proposed new subdivision ordinance Mr Roesler briefly outlined the changes and newregulations that would be incorporated in the proposed updated ordinance2 Presentation Benchmark, Inc - Professional Project Team - Comprehensive Land Use PlanMembers of a professional project team known as Benchmark, Inc addressed the Board and thePlanning Board members concerning the possibility of developing a comprehensive land use plan forJohnston CountyWilliam H Colonna, Jr, Planning Director for Benchmark, gave a brief background of the firmshistory and philosophy He stated the officers and staff that would be working in Johnston County all have631experience in local government planning and management They are a service organization to localgovernments and would consider themselves as extension of local staff instead of consultants on thisprojectSteven Davenport, Senior Planner, summarized what would be involved in a specifically designedland use plan for Johnston County Benchmark would start by looking at particular needs and existingsituations, including strengths and weaknesses, and design a plan based on all the contributing elementssuch as population, economic development, natural and cultural resources, community facilities, housingand existing land use The final step would be to consider the implementation strategies with realistic timeframesJohn Witherspoon, Management Consultant, discussed the significance of having a strategic planthat will guide growth and development so that it is most beneficial to the County He pointed out theCounty cant stop the growth, but it can influence how the growth developsIn response to a question by Commissioner Thomas M Moore about keeping the plan updated, MrDavenport suggested a directive be incorporated in the plan that would require annual reviewCommissioner Eleanor N Creech asked how long it would take to develop such a plan Mr Colonnaresponded that usually the team would work with the Planning staff through a 12 month cycleCommissioner Cookie Pope voiced the opinion that other entities, such as the municipalities,chambers of commerce, civic organizations and clergy should be involved in developing this type of planShe recommended this be a project of the people The Benchmark team agreed there should be input fromthe communitiesFollowing further discussion, the representatives of Benchmark thanked the Board for allowing themthe opportunity to meet and discuss the possibility of developing a land use plan for Johnston County TheChairman and Board members thanked Benchmark for the presentationThere being no further comments, Commissioner Thomas M Moore moved the Board adjournCommissioner James H Langdon, Jr seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voteNorman C Denning, ChairmanJoyce K Ennis, ClerkDetailsAnnotationsEntry PropertiesModified11192013 33559 PMCreated3272003 105636 AMTemplateMinutesFieldsMinutes - TypeRecessedMinutes - Date9161997Book20