Agenda - 06-05-2018 8-a - Minutes

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15 light of them, she is sickened. She said she is in support of this proposed amendment, and to 1 continue the community conversations. She said the intention of the Confederate flag is to 2 incite fear, and one should never be afraid in one’s own community. 3 Hannah Skjellum said she is in support of this ordinance. 4 Adam Beeman, Planning Board, referred to Commissioner Prices’ question about only 3 5 flags being permitted per flagpole. He said for him it is a question of safety, and the ratio of the 6 flags to the pole is specific, so that the pole does not come down in the wind. He said his 7 concern is the non-certified flagpole, which can fall down and cause significant damage to 8 anyone in the area. He said those with smaller lots could have their flagpole reduced to a size 9 that is proportionate to the lot size, and flagpoles should be placed back far enough so that if 10 one does fall, it does not fall onto someone else’s property. 11 12 A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Burroughs for 13 the Board to close the public hearing. 14 15 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 16 17 Commissioner Burroughs said the current regulations are unclear, and the County has 18 the authority to adopt clear standards to ensure safety, and protect local skylines. She said 19 other local governments have acted similarly, and she supports this content neutral 20 amendment. She supports reducing the setback to 20 feet, and she would be amenable to two 21 heights for residential and business flagpoles. 22 Commissioner McKee said he does not have any particular concerns, and he would 23 approve the tweaking of the setbacks and the heights. He said this is a legislative item, and 24 legislative public hearings allow for comments at a later date, and if a decision is made tonight, 25 no further comments can be made. He suggested delaying action until June 19th, which would 26 allow for additional comments. 27 Commissioner Marcoplos said Confederate flags are abhorrent racist statements, and 28 he does not take the free speech and content neutral aspect of this lightly. He said the Board 29 owes it to the community to figure this out, as it unacceptable to have members of the 30 community feel threatened by the aggressive statements these flags are making. He said this 31 came to the Board because of the size of Confederate flag, but any flag of that size would likely 32 have attracted the attention of the Board. He said this proposed amendment is a simple 33 courtesy, such as a noise ordinance, and it does not take away anyone’s freedom of 34 expression. He said a noise ordinance does not prohibit music, but regulates the volume with 35 which is can be played, while remaining a considerate neighbor. He said this issue is no 36 different, and it is a question of volume and imposition, not restriction of free speech. He said 37 this is a good ordinance that addresses a range of issues 38 Commissioner Marcoplos said this issue points to a great failure of the educational 39 system to teach the real history of racism, and its ongoing impact on society. 40 Commissioner Jacobs said he was initially skeptical about changing the ordinance, and 41 he is more comfortable with the idea that the Board is attempting to do something that is value 42 neutral. He said Mr. Carrington’s remarks were good ones to follow up on, and he took offense 43 to the recent HRC community meeting being called a “progressive activists rally”. He said more 44 conversations like tonight are necessary. He said many intelligent comments were made this 45 evening, and it would be beneficial to invite Mr. Carrington the next time a community 46 conversation occurs, to provide information about flags and flag history. 47 Commissioner Jacobs said the Board once dealt with the issue of preventing hunting 48 deer with dogs, as people were allowing dogs to trespass on properties. He said it seemed like 49