Minutes 09-09-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Pelissier asked why staff selected that a meeting would not be required unless the expansion was 50% or larger. Michael Harvey said staff tried to use existing standards from the UDO regarding what constitutes expansion. He said staff did not want smaller expansions to have to undergo a formal site plan review process for just a couple of parking spaces. He said that larger re- development of a site changes the nature of the project and demands a planning review. He also wanted to treat the parks the same way. Commissioner Pelissier asked if facilities include parking spaces or just building. Michael Harvey said it includes both. Chair Jacobs said he feels the neighbors in the area of the White Cross substation were taken aback that something had appeared in their neighborhood without any awareness of the process or the impact. He said this is a good way to address that concern. He feels it is important to know and have a say about what is going on in your neighborhood, while balancing the fact that government use has a certain priority. He noted that the White Cross Fire Station is holding a neighborhood information meeting tomorrow night. He said this is a good precedent moving forward. Commissioner McKee said some of the neighbors that he talked to were not upset over the fire station, but were simply upset about the lack of notification. Commissioner Price clarified that if this goes into effect then a volunteer fire department would have to hold an information meeting. She asked if state law supersedes this. Michael Harvey said he is not aware of anything in state law that gives a fire department preferential treatment from compliance with local land use regulations. Commissioner Price said she thought that state law said that the fire stations are permitted by right. Michael Harvey said this does not change the permitted by right status, but it adds a layer of requirement to that status by requiring this hearing is held. Commissioner Price said a volunteer department could have a public meeting and hearing, but proposed development plans will still go forward. Michael Harvey said yes; however the hope is that the applicant chooses to address as many of the concerns as possible. Pete Hallenbeck asked if the County attorney could look into this and have that information available at the next Planning Board meeting. Paul Guthrie asked for the definition of governmental usage. Michael Harvey said it is noted in attachment 1 of the abstract that the County recognizes that there are state and federal offices that will be exempt because of the nature of their use. Pete Hallenbeck suggested that the UDO has the definition of government use, and this can be looked at during the next meeting. Michael Harvey said there is not a definition of the land use, but there is a list of permitted uses in the table, and this can be discussed in the Planning Board meeting. Pete Hallenbeck said the fire department was scrambling to put in substations because of the insurance situation, and manners suffered. He said it speaks well that the station is now having a meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner McKee to: 1. Refer the matter to the Planning Board with a request that a recommendation be returned to the BOCC in time for the November 5, 2013 BOCC Regular Meeting. 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. VOTE: UNANIMOUS