Orange County NC Website
844 <br />In answer to a question from Commissioner Willhoit about what <br />things must be referred to the Planning Board, Marvin Collins stated thz.` ., <br />legally zoning matters must receive a Planning Board recommendation. T-.. <br />County Commissioners has the option to refer or not in other matters. <br />In answer to a question about public hearings that have sworn- <br />testimony and if the County Commissioners can only consider what is given <br />under oath, Attorney Doug Thoren clarified that whether or not the testimony <br />must be taken under oath depends upon whether the county Commissioners are <br />expected to take a legislative or judicial role. A judicial role is where <br />the Board would act as judge and only the testimony given under oath can be <br />considered when making the final decision. In a legislative public hearing, <br />the Board can consider information given at the public hearing and other <br />information heard elsewhere. Chair Carey stated he would ask the County <br />Attorney to write a brief paragraph to hand out to the citizens so they <br />understand what type of public hearing is being held. <br />Chair Carey stated that generally the County Commissioners <br />understand the advisory nature of the Planning Board and how they arrive at <br />the decision is really left up to that Board. Bill Waddell noted that the <br />Planning Board usually tries to work through the options and communicate only <br />the final option or one where there was a real consensus. . <br />Commissioner Insko noted that the County Commissioners are not <br />asking for diverse opinions but are asking for a recommendation. <br />Commissioner Gordon stated she would like to know if there are <br />other important minority views and also other concerns or issues involved. <br />She feels that when there is a consensus, documentation of the majc <br />viewpoints or opinions should be made. <br />Commissioner Willhoit feels that the dialogue is very- important <br />because it brings out the different viewpoints and pertinent information <br />which helps him to evaluate which direction to go. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis feels the richness of the Planning Board is <br />the diverse background of its members. The Planning Board provides a vital <br />role to the citizens and the responsibility of the County Commissioners is <br />to listen to the Planning Board. <br />In answer to a question from Chair Carey.about the.-Planning Board'.s <br />expectations of the Board of County Commissioners, Joan Jobsis stated that- <br />they do not expect the County Commissioners to always follow their <br />recommendation. They do expect the Board to consider their recommendation <br />is making the final decision. They try to give the County Commissioners <br />their best judgment on everything with complete knowledge that the final <br />decision is made'by the County Commissioners. <br />Bill Waddell noted that the Planning Board members discuss as many <br />points of view possible and weigh them, discuss them and come up with a <br />recommendation. He stated that sometimes he is not clear where the County <br />Commissioners are coming from and asked how the Planning Board can .receive <br />updates on the Board's priorities. They want to address the questions and <br />concerns that the County Commissioners have. <br />It was suggested that the Planning Board may better understand what <br />the County Commissioners are talking about with respect to different issuer <br />by reading the minutes. <br />Joan Jobsis feels that the Planning Board is not getting clear <br />messages on what the County Commissioners want. Bill Waddell said there are