ORD-2006-105 - Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation (PEMC) Planned Development (PD-OI) and Special Use Permit, Class A

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I -7(v MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD NOVEMBER 1, 2006 REGULAR MEETING 7:30 -9:30 MEMBERS PRESENT: Jay Bryan, Chapel Hill Representative (Chair); Brian Crawford, Eno Township At- Large; Crauf ird Goodwin, Hillsborough Representative; Michelle Kempinski, Cedar Grove Township at Large; Joel Knight, Little River Representative; Sam Lasris, Cedar Grove Township At Large; Bingham Township; Renee Price- Saunders, Hillsborough Township At Large (Vice- Chair), Jeffrey Schmitt, Cedar Grove Township at Large MEMBERS ABSENT: Bernadette Pelissier, Bingham Township; Brian Dobyns, Cheeks Township Representative; Judith Wegner, Bingham Township At- Large;, Sandra Johnson Quinn, Eno Township STAFF PRESENT: Craig Benedict, Planning Director; Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor; Robert Davis, Current Planning Supervisor; Sherri Ingersoll, Administrative Assistant II; Eddie Kirk, Planner Il, Michael Harvey, Planner II, Glenn Bowles, Planner II OTHERS PRESENT: Bruce Ballentine, Mike Parker, Rusty Monroe, Robin Blanton, Geoff Gledhill, Luther Misenhimer, Brian Ferrell, Steve Yuhasz AGENDA ITEM ##10: PIEDMONT ELECTRICAL MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION PLANNED DEVELOPMENT AND SPECIAL USE PERMIT, CLASS A (Voting Item) PRESENTER: Glenn Bowles, Planner II Planning Board will consider making a recommendation to the BOCC on the Piedmont EMC Planned Development and Special Use Permit, Class A. Glenn Bowles: The Public Hearing was held on October 3, 2006, I wasn't sworn in at that time so I need to do that now. The purpose is to consider a request from Piedmont EMC to replace their 150 foot tower with a new 350 foot tower. This requires a Special Use Permit because when it was rezoned back in the early 80s, the legal description contained 33 or so acres, and the parcel now contains 34 acres. We also want to make clear that the tower is now a permitted principal use of the property. At the Joint Public Hearing, there were a number of issues discussed. One was the issue of migratory bird patterns. Staff had consulted with some local bird organizations, and there are no discemable bird patterns close to this site. There was design criteria requested of the applicant and they complied using the type of lighting proposed. There was also discussion about the balloon test. We did follow up with the regulations at the time and we will be considering possibly discussing that at a later date as to future changes. There was a co- location question. It can accommodate up to four or five co- locations. There was a question. about the tower being a public safety necessity. There will be testimony given later about that. Also, can the tower sustain hurricane strength winds? It is designed to have footings and foundation that are more than adequate. There were a number of conditions on the original plan, and we decided they were still in force. There was discussion about why we thought we needed a Planned Development part of this application as well as the Special Use Permit which is also on page 4a. I would like to introduce Rusty Monroe, Piedmont's consultant from the Center for Municipal Solutions. He gave testimony at the Joint Public Hearing.