Orange County NC Website
Commissioner Halkiotis asked the County Attorney to include in the report, because of the <br />significant contribution by Orange County to the APS, that there is an obligation to meet the mandates of <br />the North Carolina open meetings law. He asked for clarification from Mrs. Reitman on the information <br />from the director of a County agency. He asked if she was saying that one of our directors of one of our <br />departments told this to her. She said yes. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he is very concerned <br />because he has been inundated with emails about this. He would like for the inquiry to be as complete <br />and as quick as possible. <br />Commissioner Brown would like the APS to explain the relationship between the Lantane <br />Center and if it is funded with any County monies. <br />Commissioner Gordon is grateful that the citizens have brought this to our attention and said <br />that we are all animal lovers. <br />Commissioner Carey would like the staff to bring back feedback as soon as possible even if it <br />is interim feedback. He asked for a shave of hands of any APS board members. There were about six <br />people. <br />John Link said that the first step is to sit down with the leadership of the Board of Health and <br />define what the State law requires in county government as it relates to animal control and what the <br />State does not require of counties with animal control. Orange County has had a rich history and <br />relationship with the APS. We may want to look at all alternatives for animal control in other counties to <br />see what is successful. He said that they are going to start immediately on this issue and come back <br />with a game plan for working with the Board of Health and the citizens to produce a positive outcome. <br />Chair Jacobs said that there would be an interim update no later than October 1St <br />Judith Reitman said that there are sick animals at the shelter and increasing numbers of dying <br />animals. Chair Jacobs said that this would be included in the charge to ask the staff to visit the APS to <br />make sure there is not an immediate problem that needs to be addressed from a health point of view. <br />George Tate, Jr. said that he was born in Efland, NC. He said that he came to the Board two <br />months ago and was told to go to the Planning Department to get a permit for the 7-11 in Efland. He <br />went before the Planning Department, but they denied him the permit. He is coming to the Board to try <br />and get this piece of property zoned to build this. He has a water and sewage tap now. In doing so, the <br />federal government filed a tax lien on his property and he had to stop the construction until he cleared <br />out the tax lien. He has lost about two years trying to get this permit. The piece of property is on the <br />corner of Richmond Road and US 70 and is approximately 1.85 acres. It is now zoned R-1 and the <br />Planning Department said that he would need an R-2 zoning. He has over 100 signatures {petition <br />included) from neighbors that want this 7-11. He said that it was not his idea to build the 7-11, but the <br />neighbors wanted him to build it. He also has two other pieces of property -the old JOCCA building and <br />a nine-acre tract that is zoned R-1. He wants the JOCCA building to be zoned commercial and he wants <br />the nine-acre tract to be zoned far affordable housing. He asked for the Board of County <br />Commissioners' cooperation. <br />Chair Jacobs said that this would be referred to the planning staff and Mr. Tate would be <br />informed when it comes back to the Board of County Commissioners. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis was unclear because it sounded like at one time that he did have a <br />building permit. Chair Jacobs said that apparently there has been a lapse of a number of years between <br />the time he got the permit and now. Commissioner Halkiotis verified with Mr. Tate that there was a <br />footings inspection and that water and sewer fees have been paid. <br />Commissioner Brawn asked staff to do an outline of the steps involved in re-zoning for Mr. <br />Tote's properties. <br />Chair Jacobs asked the Manager to return with information on this issue by October 1, 2002. <br />b. Matters an the Printed Agenda {These matters were considered as the Board addressed <br />the items an the agenda below.) <br />3. BOARD COMMENTS <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked County Engineer Paul Thames to give an update on the water <br />situation. Paul Thames said that he did not know exactly how much rain fell in northern Orange County <br />over the weekend, but the rain added a foot and a half of water to Lake Orange and at Hillsborough's <br />