Orange County NC Website
~~~ <br />Charles Vickery, associate of Ms. Coleman, pointed out on the various mope <br />of the property in question, presented for inspection, that easements of several <br />types were depicted and some of the area of several lots was under easements yet <br />seemed to have been included in the calculated areas of these lots. <br />Mr. Ferias questioned the fact that University Builders had not surveyed their <br />lot until after they started construction of the building. The people residing in <br />the area had offered to purchase this lot from University Builders before its area <br />was calculated and before University Builders had started construction on the <br />property. Since the County had adopted the Zoning Ordirance and University Builders <br />were in apparent violation of the Ordinance the burden of enforcement should Pall <br />upon the County and not upon the immediately affected persons residing in the area. - <br />Commissioner R3,ahard Whitted then moved the County proceed with its suit in <br />this matter. The County Attorney then stated to the Board he had started this suit <br />at the request of the Board of Commissioners, he was at present pursuing the matter <br />and would continue doing ao unless and until he was directed to stop by this Board. <br />A. B. Coleman questioned the Board as to their action if and when they were' <br />presented evidenoe showing there were other undersized lots in this neighborhood? <br />Would the Board pick and choose as to which lots would have the minimum size provision <br />of Zoning Ordinance enforced against it? <br />John Woodson pointed out at this point that in his opinion this was a matter <br />for decision by the County Board of Adjustments. <br />Edward Bennett, owner of lot #?Ja, in Heritage Hills, stated that as soon as <br />University Builders started construction on the lot he went to the property and <br />advised the representative of University Builders that in his opinion the lot was <br />undersized. <br />Comr^_issionar Melvin Whitfield then stated that in view of the feat trot the <br />County was proceeding with its suit against University Builders he felt it was not <br />necessary for the County to take further action at this time. <br />John Woodson summarized his position by stating that he agreed that University <br />Builders did seem to own the fee title in the street adjacent to the lot in question, <br />however, he felt the County should not consider the area under street easement in <br />calvulating the area of the lot. <br />Clasrles Vickery stated his opinion was just opposite.that'of Mr, Woodson and that <br />the County should consider the area under street easement. Further Mr. Vickery wanted <br />the Board of Commisaionera to ask the County Attorney as to hie opinion of this <br />particular point. Mr. Cheshire stated that in hie opinion Roberta Construction <br />Company could oonvey the Pee title to University Builders. He did not want to coumient <br />about legal significance of this conveyance however. <br />Chairman Norman Walker stated he did not want to proceed with this suit to <br />restraLn University Builders. <br />Commissioner Flora Garrett asked Mr. Vickery and P'~. Coleman about their opinion <br />of the legal significance of the suit Smith VS. The Town of Hillsborough. Mr. <br />Coleman stated that the point in question here was the revocation of a building <br />permit. The Court decided in the Dose that once a permit was issued and a person <br />had expended substantial soma of money in reliance upon the permit the governmental <br />unit could not then withdraw the permit. <br />Mr. [doodson pointed out at this point that the factual situation of the case <br />in hand and Smith VS. Hillsborough were not at all similiar. <br />Mr. Coleman then concluded his clients position b4 stating that when a Board <br />is unfamiliar with the law it should not sue an individual citizen. This deaiaion <br />should be made only when the Board is quite sure of its position. <br />Chairman Norman Walker then stated that this would conclude the discussion of <br />the building permit issue. <br />Fred Herndon, acting Chairman of the Triangle Housing Development Corporation, <br />appeared before the Board to explain the operation of this organization and to <br />request that Orange County fund $1,000 as a portion of the administrative expense <br />of this group until a more permanent funding arrangement could be made. This group <br />has received a funding aommi.ttment from the Farmers Home Administration for two <br />hundred units of rental housing for the elderly. These two hundred unite would be <br />spread out among the six counties in the Region J. Orange County's allocation would <br />be twenty four units. The by laws of this group state that Orange County is entitled <br />to appoint one member to the Board of Directors of the Triangle Honaing Corporation. <br />At present our appointee is Howard Welch. Mr. Herndon stated that this loan aommittment <br />has enabled his group to get on the way towards doing something of significance for <br />the counties in Region J. <br />