Agenda - 12-04-2017 - 8-a - Minutes

Browse Search

21 1 Commissioner McKee said a more focused enterprise would be attracted to this 2 property. 3 Steve Brantley said the Waterstone development has set a tone with its tenants, signage 4 and landscaping, and the development and asking price at Settlers' Point would indicate a 5 continuation of this higher caliber tone. 6 Commissioner McKee said the BOCC is committed to attracting lower impact 7 businesses that do not require excessive amounts of water, and are in line with Orange County 8 values. He said Orange County has one of the highest tax rates in the state, and it is unclear 9 how much this project will generate in taxes; but if it could generate $4 million, that is 2% of the 10 County's budget. He said that is a significant shift in the industrial-residential tax base. He 11 asked if the County is still at 20% on its business tax base. 12 Steve Brantley said the recent revaluation has changed these numbers a bit, but 13 historically this is accurate. He said projects like this can help shift that dynamic. 14 Commissioner Rich asked if the type of developments that will go into Waterstone and 15 Daniel Boone area are known. 16 Steve Brantley said he thought Waterstone was going to be a large science park, lined 17 with white-collar operations, but in reality he found most of it is residential. He said the few 18 remaining sites at Waterstone are too small. He said Hillsborough has no large tracts of land 19 that could accommodate a corporate presence. He said the Settlers' Point project could tie in 20 well with the tone of Waterstone, attracting professional offices. 21 Commissioner Marcoplos said he is trying to get a sense of how many jobs may be 22 created by this project. 23 Steve Brantley reviewed several potential tenants and the numbers of people they could 24 employ, from a call canter to a warehouse, which are lower paying jobs. He said an automotive 25 park facility would maximize the tax value, and provide higher paying jobs. He said life science 26 companies are an option as well, which can have very high salaries. 27 Chair Dorosin said it looks as if the Board of County Commissioners is going to defer 28 this item to a later meeting. 29 Commissioner Jacobs referred to page 110, which states, "external illumination shall be 30 permitted...". He asked Michael Harvey if he would clarify internal and external illumination in a 31 future discussion. 32 Commissioner Jacobs said the BOCC planned Watersone with Hillsborough, and it was 33 the ideal economic development site in the County. He said Hillsborough changed some of the 34 plans to make it more residential, and removed an agreed upon Senior Center. He said given 35 that Hillsborough is asking the BOCC to do what it considers important for Hillsborough, he 36 would like to ask the Town Board to write a letter to the BOCC stating its willingness to abide, to 37 the best of its ability, by what the BOCC decides; as opposed to using water and sewer to 38 prevent BOCC approved plans from happening. 39 Commissioner Burroughs said given the limited amount of land for economic 40 development in Orange County, she would strongly suggest that this site should be used just for 41 economic development. She said it should not be used for a school,jail or waste transfer 42 station. 43 Chair Dorosin summarized the concerns. 44 Commissioner McKee said if this item is delayed, he would like to know how long staff 45 will need to get the necessary information, and to set a specific time to bring it back. 46 Michael Harvey said a specific time frame will be needed. He said staff has a laundry 47 list of comments from the BOCC and the Applicant, to which responses are needed. He said he 48 anticipates modifications of existing or recommended conditions. 49 Commissioner McKee said he would like to know if this can come back for a December 50 meeting. 51 Michael Harvey said if the BOCC votes to bring this item back in December, staff will be 52 ready. 53 Commissioner Price asked if this item will need to go back to the Planning Board.