Town Meeting: Commissioners Discuss Fees, Regulations

The will hold its tonight at town hall.

On the agenda are , development regulation amendments, some of which may impact parking, and reappointments to two town commissions.

The meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. in at 39 N. Hickory Ave.

for full agenda and pending legislation.

8:03 p.m.: The commissioners and mayor had no additional comments and the meeting was adjourned.

8:01 p.m.: Carey said even if it’s for drug and alcohol or mental health recovery, legally the town cannot dictate the use if there are eight people or fewer. These must be treated as a family under state law. Small said a halfway house has more connection with detention facilities and an entirely different definition from a recovery house.

8:00 p.m.: Adolph asked what the difference between recovery houses and halfway houses are in the legislation.

7:59 p.m.: Greg Adolph asked Small about the first definition of group home and whether that was defined by the town or the state. Small said that is the definition in Bel Air development regulations that is patterned closely after state law.

7:57 p.m.: Meeks held up a drawing illustrating traffic problems at the intersection that a camera, installed in the area in previous years, does not fix.

7:56 p.m.: John Meeks said he came to the meeting to further pursue a traffic light at Gateway and Boulton.

7:55 p.m.: All commissioners voted in favor of the ordinance.

7:55 p.m.: Carey asked Small to have a large map outlining zones at the next work session.

7:54 p.m.: Small said it would be well known how many people live there, but is not sure there is an official registration process.

7:53 p.m.: Small said he believes these group homes are not required to register, but they must adhere to appropriate exits and safety requirements. The state is requiring this change.

7:51 p.m.: Hopkins asked if there is any requirement for group homes to report that more than eight people are living there or that it is a group home so law enforcement and fire officials know what to expect.

7:49 p.m.: Those living in a common household are defined as a family in the existing legislation. Up to eight people can live in these group homes anywhere a single-family house can go.

7:48 p.m.: Small said the change is in keeping with the purpose of the zone.

7:46 p.m.: Carey asked in regard to B2A, the transition zone, to have that parking allotment change. He said he wants to be fair of parking needs for those outside the immediate downtown, such as past the old Aegis building on Hays Street.

7:46 p.m.: Small said in accordance with existing laws, the group home designation was changed to permitted use in areas where households of that size are permitted.

7:43 p.m.: These zones are essentially the downtown Main Street and surrounding area, Town Planner Kevin Small said.

7:42 p.m.: The planning commission revised parking changes in residential areas to only in certain zones. B2, B3A and B2A.

7:42 p.m.: Robert Reier introduced an ordinance involving development regulation amendments.

7:41 p.m.: All voted in favor of introducing the resolution. A public hearing on the resolution on impact fees is scheduled

7:38 p.m.: Director of administration, Joyce Oliver, said new fee is proposed. She explained the town agreed to conduct maintenance on the pond in Major’s Choice. The town did not charge any administrative fees. Oliver said the administration feels the administrative time needs to be paid for and the fee should be bourn by these impacted residents not all taxpayers.

7:37 p.m.: Preston, Burdette and Carey voted in favor of the proposal while Reir voted against.

7:36 p.m.: There are concerns from council over legal fees. Moody said The bank’s bond counsel will review the documentation and making sure it satisfies all requirements which will save some money, and overall the proposal is still the best.

7:33 p.m.: Moody said PNC appears to have the best proposal with 2.8 percent rate and no prepayment penalties. Staff asks the town approve the proposal from PNC Bank.

7:32 p.m.: Moody said last year the town bought 33-37 S. Main Street, the former BB&T bank for 1 million. The town will expend about $800,000 from it’s unassigned fund leaving about $515,000 to finance. She said the review of proposals includes consideration of repayment plans and rates.

7:31 p.m.: A proposal to accept a proposal from PNC Bank for tax-exempt financing of $515,000 was introduced.

7:31 p.m.: Commissioner Robert Reier moved Jennifer be reappointed to the Historic Preservation Commission. The motion passed unanimously.

7:30 p.m.: Commissioner Robert Preston made a motion for reappointment to the cultural arts commission. The motion was passed unanimously.

7:28 p.m.: Mayor Edward Hopkins called the meeting to order.