Minutes 06-05-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8 Commissioner Marcoplos said he is a member of the Government Affairs Committee for the Homeowners Association, and attended a meeting last week with Chapel Hill planners regarding future land use initiative, Chapel Hill Charting. He said the recommendations made by the joint Homeowners Association and Chamber of Commerce Committee involved a lot of issues of interest to the County, such as the Greene Tract, rural buffer, etc. He said the County may wish to reach out to this group. Commissioner Jacobs said three members of the Board of County Commissioners attended a Keith Arboretum community meeting recently and there were issues raised about how the County handles conservation easements. He said this plays into the issue of people exploiting farm uses to put commercial enterprises into non-commercials areas of the County. He suggested having the Attorney look into whether the presence of a conservation easement on a property precludes some of the things that seem to many people to be circumventing rules and regulations regarding the difference between agricultural and commercial areas. John Roberts said a conservation easement and a property status as agricultural/farm is two separate things, and the terms of a conservation easement takes priority over the farm status, and must be honored and abided by. He said he attended the community meeting referenced by Commissioner Jacobs. He said this meeting contained what was directed by the Board of County Commissioners, which was to provide information about the proposed conservation amendment easement, reiterating that this amendment had been withdrawn. John Roberts said the property was inspected, and no violations were found, but a week before this meeting Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) Staff discovered a potential violation with a deck. He said staff contacted the property owner, as is appropriate when a concern arises, and the property owner indicating a willingness to get the deck into compliance, and seek the appropriate permits. John Roberts referred to the assertion that the Board was advised not to meet with the individual community members regarding this issue, and said he advised the BOCC not to meet as a board with a community group on this issue. He said he stands by this advice, due to potential litigation; however, it is appropriate for the BOCC to hear and engage individually with constituents on multiple issues. Commissioner Jacobs said perhaps the Manager and the Department of Environment, Agriculture, and Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) staff could look at the issues raised, and see if any remedies exist that are necessary to be pursued. Commissioner Price said students at Cedar Ridge High School (CRHS) had a photography contest last week, and many students are here tonight in regards to another project. She said she wanted to commend the students for their work and art show. Commissioner Price said two students from C.W. Stanford Middle School, who won an art contest sponsored by Food Lion, are giving their prize money to a local food pantry. Commissioner Price attended the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) County Assembly Day, where there was a former commissioners’ panel, including Senator Valerie Foushee. She said the most common issues across the State are education and broadband. Commissioner Rich said the bags at the Commissioners places are available at Food Lion, and she purchased them for a dollar a piece. She said for each bag sold, Food Lion will provide 6 meals. Commissioner Rich said the Food Council met this week, and the Council will be partnering with UNC Hospitals through a program called NowPow, which puts all providers’ information into one app so families can see where to get food during the summer while school is not in session.