Orange County NC Website
Hillsborough Planning Board <br />Chris Quinn, reappointment for a term ending March 30, 2000 <br />Hillsborough Board of Adjustment <br />O. B. Hollins, reappointment for a term ending March 30, 2000 <br />Nursinq Home Community Advisory Committee <br />Anilizabeth Fearrington, new appointment for a term ending April 1, 1998 <br />Human Services Advisory Committee <br />Judy Cox, new appointment for a term ending March 31, 2000 <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />9. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA <br />A. CONSULTANT CONTRACT - CEDAR GROVE NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION <br />Don Belk summarized the information as stated in the agenda abstract. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve <br />and authorize the Chair to sign a contract to hire Kaye Graybeal, Historic Resource Specialist with DS <br />Atlantic Corporation of Winston-Salem, North Carolina to complete the nomination of the Cedar Grove <br />crossroads area to the national Register of Historic Places. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />B. IMPACT FEE REIMBURSEMENT POLICY <br />Jahn Link said that on November 1, 1995, the Board approved a policy for Impact Fee <br />reimbursement to local non-profit organizations meeting the established criteria. The eligibility criteria <br />included only non-profit housing organizations producing single family housing for first-time homebuyers at or <br />below 80% of area median income. Since adoption, the interest in reimbursement of fees paid for rental <br />property developed for low income families has become more visible. <br />Most of the discussion centered around #8 and the paragraph following which are stated below for <br />reference purposes: <br />8. "All organizations requesting impact fee reimbursement must certify in writing that the housing <br />will remain affordable to the anticipated beneficiary or beneficiaries for a period of at least twenty (20) years. <br />Evidence must be provided that agency and/or program guidelines are in place to assure compliance." <br />"The Board of Commissioners may consider rental housing developed by a 501(c)(3) non-profit <br />organization for special needs populations on a case-by-case basis." <br />Highlights of this discussion are listed below. The recording of this discussion is in the permanent agenda <br />file in the Clerk's office. <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to #8 and said that she feels there are some cases where <br />30 years would be appropriate. She asked Tara Fikes when federal guidelines specified 20 years and when <br />they specified 30 years. Ms. Fikes explained that most HUD programs require a 20 year affordability period. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked that the County Attorney prepare a paper showing the pros and cons to <br />determine the implications of including rental housing in the existing reimbursement policy and also an <br />explanation of some of the definitions. <br />Since 20 years is traditionally the number of years used by HUD, Commissioner Carey feels the <br />County should use these guidelines on what can be charged for rent. The rent must remain affordable <br />throughout the rental period. <br />Geoffrey Gledhill emphasized that a policy which indicates that the Board consider applications on <br />a case-by-case basis provides the County Commissioners the option of placing conditions on each individual <br />application. <br />In response to a concern expressed by Commissioner Brown, John Link said that it is important <br />to establish a process where any request for reimbursement must adhere to the budget process. <br />John Link said that one option is to appropriate sales tax toward the reimbursement of impact <br />fees. The impact fees themselves would revert back to the schools system affected and it would be revenue <br />neutral. Another option is to simply appropriate money from property tax for a certain amount each year.