Minutes 02-23-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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9 Town provided courtesy review comments on the site plan and approved the use of existing utility infrastructure (i.e. water and sewer) in support of the proposed gas station. NC Department of Transportation has also been involved in reviewing/approving the site plan. Delays on the commencement of construction of Sheetz are related to the property owner's lack of progress on completing required grading/infrastructure installation (i.e. stormwater systems) including allowing permits, most notably erosion control and grading permits, to lapse. Staff has remained in contact with Sheetz officials to offer assistance as needed and Orange County Erosion Control has worked with the property owner to keep the project moving forward. It is hoped construction on the Sheetz facility will begin soon. There are rumors of a restaurant being located adjacent to Sheetz but no formal site plan has been submitted denoting same. A food truck has taken up operation(s) on the Paliouras property consistent with the County's recently adopted food truck ordinance. d) Tourism and Arts (in coordination with Orange County Visitors Bureau/Hillsborough Visitors Center/Tourism Board/Arts Commission/etc.) Commissioner Rich said Orange County sent a letter to the legislature about the number of losses Orange County has suffered due to HB2, and requested its repeal. Chair Dorosin asked if there is an update on the Colonial Inn. Mayor Stevens said it is in the process of imminent domain, and mediation is likely in the next 30 days. Commissioner Rich asked if the building will hold up during this wait time. Mayor Stevens said professionals are telling the Town that the building can be restored. He said the Town is going through a process of due diligence, and the top goals is to make sure this landmark can be preserved for posterity. He said the secondary goal is to see it be put to use, hopefully in a way that engages the public. Commissioner Jacobs said he asked that the Cornelius area be included in the SWOT analysis, but he was the only one making this request. He said if any other County Commissioners are interested in this as well, to please tell the Manager to include this in the SWOT analysis. Chair Dorosin said this could be treated as a petition at the next BOCC meeting. Mayor Stevens said the Town is constrained budget wise, but is planning to move the fire and police stations, and create a campus area where Town offices can be located. He said this will free up some properties in the downtown area. He said this is in the early stages. He said there has been a great deal of change downtown, and this is likely to continue over the next 10 years. He said the enduring and endearing elements of downtown should always remain. Commissioner Price asked if the Town owns a portion of the Bacon store corner. Mayor Stevens said the Town bought the old Singer building, the doctor and dentist office, the furniture store and the house. He said the commercial area on the corner is still in private hands, but these purchases give the Town an opportunity for fire trucks to be able to go down Cornelius Street, and come out on a driveway on Churton Street without having back in. Commissioner Price asked if there are plans for economic development in this area. Mayor Stevens said it is in private hands except for what the Town is going to develop for fire/police/office space. He said there is no small area plan. He said the Town may be interested in developing the area with sidewalks and other types of connectivity. Commissioner Weaver said the Cornelius area is proximate to the County's parcels for affordable housing.