Minutes 02-22-2018 Hillsborough - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 Bonnie Hammersley said this change was made in last year’s budget. Margaret Hauth said she gives the chief building inspector an annual projection on building activity. Chair Dorosin referred to the schools, and said the Orange County Schools’ board is feeling frustrated. He asked if there is an expectation of collaboration with the schools. Margaret Hauth said it is her impression that the designers are accommodating the design aspects: the turning radius, where access points and bus stops are, etc. Patrick Abele, Chief Operations Officer for Orange County Schools (OCS), said the schools have been trying to monitor the operations of this development, and safety is of utmost concern. He said on street parking is one concern, and the street widths and sizes are important. He said the turnaround points and phasing may present some difficulties in moving buses within the neighborhood. He said feedback has been provided to the developer. He said buses are getting larger, in order to have greater capacity, and the neighborhoods need to accommodate this. He said the schools have worked closely with the developer to identify school bus stops that can be communicated to the neighbors and homeowners, so that children can be safe walking to the stops. He said another concern is the traffic in the area. He said 4 buses are anticipated being needed to serve this neighborhood. He said some creativity will be needed to serve this neighborhood. 3. Economic Development a) Town/County Perspectives on Economic Development (Short/Mid/Long Term Plans and Mutual Objectives) Margaret Hauth reviewed the following information: The Town does not have an adopted economic development plan or policy. However, the Town has consistently striven to maintain its tax base mix which is roughly 60% residential and 40% non-residential. Additionally, the Town Board has been increasingly interested in compact and connected development. The adoption of the Urban Services Boundary was a strong step in that direction and the Town Board has been committed to that boundary. The Town Board has also discouraged three different residential developers with potential projects within the boundary from pursuing requests for utilities or annexation at present as they were still located rather far from the core of town and were therefore less desirable. The focus of the Town’s economic development planner has been to respond to inquiries for new non-residential space and attempt to match users with available spaces, assist applicants navigating the planning processes, increase visibility of local events, and work with the chamber on growing its membership and serving as a voice for local business. The County has been working with the Town of Hillsborough on extending utility service to the Hillsborough Economic Development District. As part of the Utility Extension Agreement with the Town, McAdams Engineering has been retained to design the extension of sewer through the northwest to southwest quadrant of I-40 and Old NC 86. The infrastructure also includes a water loop system from Old NC 86 westward to improve water quality, quantity and pressure in the general area. The design is 95% complete with bids and construction later this year. Mayor Stevens said the Town has tried to maintain a 40% commercial base within the Town. He said the Town has recently added an Economic Development Planner to its staff, and noted that tourism is big for Hillsborough.