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8 <br /> 1 Commissioner Pelissier asked why staff selected that a meeting would not be required <br /> 2 unless the expansion was 50% or larger. <br /> 3 Michael Harvey said staff tried to use existing standards from the UDO regarding what <br /> 4 constitutes expansion. He said staff did not want smaller expansions to have to undergo a <br /> 5 formal site plan review process for just a couple of parking spaces. He said that larger re- <br /> 6 development of a site changes the nature of the project and demands a planning review. He <br /> 7 also wanted to treat the parks the same way. <br /> 8 Commissioner Pelissier asked if facilities include parking spaces or just building. <br /> 9 Michael Harvey said it includes both. <br /> 10 Chair Jacobs said he feels the neighbors in the area of the White Cross substation were <br /> 11 taken aback that something had appeared in their neighborhood without any awareness of the <br /> 12 process or the impact. He said this is a good way to address that concern. He feels it is <br /> 13 important to know and have a say about what is going on in your neighborhood, while balancing <br /> 14 the fact that government use has a certain priority. He noted that the White Cross Fire Station <br /> 15 is holding a neighborhood information meeting tomorrow night. He said this is a good precedent <br /> 16 moving forward. <br /> 17 Commissioner McKee said some of the neighbors that he talked to were not upset over <br /> 18 the fire station, but were simply upset about the lack of notification. <br /> 19 Commissioner Price clarified that if this goes into effect then a volunteer fire department <br /> 20 would have to hold an information meeting. She asked if state law supersedes this. <br /> 21 Michael Harvey said he is not aware of anything in state law that gives a fire department <br /> 22 preferential treatment from compliance with local land use regulations. <br /> 23 Commissioner Price said she thought that state law said that the fire stations are <br /> 24 permitted by right. <br /> 25 Michael Harvey said this does not change the permitted by right status, but it adds a <br /> 26 layer of requirement to that status by requiring this hearing is held. <br /> 27 Commissioner Price said the Board could have a public meeting and hearing, but plans <br /> 28 will still go forward. <br /> 29 Michael Harvey said yes; however the hope is that the applicant chooses to address as <br /> 30 many of the concerns as possible. <br /> 31 Pete Hallenbeck asked if the County attorney could look into this and have that <br /> 32 information available at the next Planning Board meeting. <br /> 33 Paul Guthrie asked for the definition of governmental usage. <br /> 34 Michael Harvey said it is noted in attachment 1 of the abstract that the County <br /> 35 recognizes that there are state and federal offices that will be exempt because of the nature of <br /> 36 their use. <br /> 37 Pete Hallenbeck suggested that the UDO has the definition of government use, and this <br /> 38 can be looked at during the next meeting. <br /> 39 Michael Harvey said there is not a definition of the land use, but there is a list of <br /> 40 permitted uses in the table, and this can be discussed in the Planning Board meeting. <br /> 41 Pete Hallenbeck said the fire department was scrambling to put in substations because <br /> 42 of the insurance situation, and manners suffered. He said it speaks well that the station is now <br /> 43 having a meeting. <br /> 44 <br /> 45 A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner McKee to: <br /> 46 <br /> 47 1. Refer the matter to the Planning Board with a request that a recommendation be returned to <br /> 48 the BOCC in time for the November 5, 2013 BOCC Regular Meeting. <br /> 49 2. Adjourn the public hearing until November 5, 2013 in order to receive and accept the <br /> 50 Planning Board's recommendation and any submitted written comments. <br /> 51 <br /> 52 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 53 <br />