Minutes 09-09-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2. Adjourn the public hearing until November 5, 2013 in order to receive and accept the Planning Board's recommendation and any submitted written comments. Michael Harvey noted that the abstract includes a statement from the current property owner, Daniel McDonald, who indicates that Ronald Keizer has an option on purchasing the property. He said this is contingent on the re-zoning approval. Michael Harvey said Ronald Keizer has been made aware of the buffer requirements for this property. Commissioner Price said she is pleased that a local business wants to expand. She asked if the expansion would mean an increased intensity in the use, or if it would remain the same. Michael Harvey said the re-zoning needs to be acted on regardless of whether or not it is consistent with the code. He said he believes there will be an expansion and amplification of the existing use. He also believes the existing land use criteria and standards will mitigate any impacts. He said he has not seen the site plan, so he is hesitant to give a definite answer. Commissioner McKee said the last item simply aligned what was on the ground with what is on paper. He said this item is placing before the Board the very thing that the County has wanted, which is more job and business opportunities in Orange County. He said this request is in an area where the land use has already been designated as appropriate. He said there are still opportunities to ask questions and work out agreements as this moves forward. He said he is in favor of this. Chair Jacobs asked if there is water and sewer available. Craig Benedict said there is no public water and sewer in the area. He said part of the current design to flip the sewer flow will bring gravity sewer past this parcel. He said this would happen in a year and a half to two years Chair Jacobs asked if owners with a sewer line running in front of their property are required to hook in. Craig Benedict said the UDO gives distance requirements that do require owners to connect on. He said that Orange Alamance water systems has some facilities in this area, and work is being done to insure that future development can handle both potable water and fire suppression needs for these new industries. Commissioner Rich asked if residents would be required to hook up to the sewer lines. Craig Benedict said commercial owners, expansions to a business, or a new home built within the designated distance will be required to hook up. Commissioner Rich noted that part of the zoning change request was due to a need to fix the septic system, and then the owner will be required to hook up to sewer in a couple of years. Craig Benedict said that if the owner fixes the septic, he will be allowed to remain with the new or repaired system until it fails. Frank Clifton said this is a project Steve Brantley has worked on with the owner. Pete Hallenbeck asked if there were any comments from the Planning Board. Pete Hallenbeck said he is pleased to hear about the option for a local supplier of chassis. He is also please to hear about the potential water availability for fire suppression. Chair Jacobs asked about the number of current and future employees. Applicant Ronald Kaiser said he currently has 26 employees. He said business is growing. He said there were 18 employees in 2009, and the company did $1.8 million in sales. He said he expects to do $4.2 million in sales this year. He said the company set a goal of being a 5 million dollar company. He said this goal has almost been met, and his desire is to set a new goal that allows the company to keep up with its growing customers. James Bryan, Staff Attorney, said this decision will be based on the reasonableness and consistency with the land plan and the public benefit but not the benefits of this particular business.