Orange County NC Website
Approved January 14, 2019 <br /> i <br /> 1 request on the relevant session law. In reviewing the request provided by Andy Petesch, staff made the determination <br /> 2 that the structure qualified for bona fide farm purpose as recently amended under the North Carolina General Statutes 1 <br /> 3 and as such was not subject to county zoning regulation and the owner could engage in agritourism activities,which the <br /> 4 statute indicates includes weddings. Staff provided Andy Petesch with a copy of the determination, along with LeAnn <br /> 5 Brown, attorney for the appellants.That staff determination has been appealed. <br /> 6 <br /> 7 Michael Harvey reviewed that the appeal begins on Page 5. The subpoena response begins on Page 68. The request <br /> 8 to quash or modify the subpoenas begins on Page 89, The aforementioned Attachment 4 begins on Page 92. The <br /> 9 excerpt from the May and July 2018 meetings begins on Page 94. He asked that the abstract and all attachments be j <br /> 10 put in the record, f <br /> 11 <br /> 12 MOTION by Susan Halkiotis to enter the abstract and all attachments into the record. Barry Katz seconded, <br /> 13 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 14 <br /> 15 LeAnn Brown said she represents the appellants and read their names, acknowledging they are the same people who <br /> 16 have been involved in the other appeals this board has heard regarding this property. She said that this is an appeal of <br /> 17 a decision that was made October 13, 2017. She said the appeal was dated November 7, 2017, and noted it has taken <br /> 18 awhile to get before the Board of Adjustment, She said one of the first items that the board needs to deal with is the <br /> 19 item regarding standing, She said she has a certified copy of the minutes from the first time the Orange County Board <br /> 20 of Adjustment heard an appeal regarding this property,which included detailed evidentiary materials that gave evidence <br /> 21 of standing. So, in addition to what's in the application that Michael Harvey has introduced into evidence addressing <br /> 22 standing, she is offering into evidence those minutes so that the board does not have to receive additional hours of <br /> 23 testimony about standing. She asked that the board receive that as sworn testimony. Also included in those minutes is <br /> 24 the determination that was made by this board in connection with the Special Use Permit that the use that was <br /> 25 proposed would not maintain or enhance the value of contiguous property. She noted the board has received the <br /> 26 certified copy of the minutes twice as sworn testimony in determining whether her party has standing. I <br /> 27 <br /> 28 Barry Katz asked for the date of the meeting minutes regarding standing. <br /> 29 <br /> 30 LeAnn Brown answered October 10 and 24, 2016.And everyone still lives in the same place and is still doing the same <br /> 31 thing. LeAnn Brown explained the circumstances whereby several people she represents could not be present this <br /> 32 evening and acknowledged that she would have to ask for this public hearing to be continued if the board determined it <br /> 33 needed testimony from the individuals in order to establish standing. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 LeAnn Brown said in the October 2016 minutes she is passing out, Page 19 acknowledges the board's earlier finding <br /> 36 that those individuals she represents have standing, in addition to what's on Page 51 of the agenda packet. She asked ? <br /> 37 if the board agreed to find standing. Board members informally agreed. I <br /> 38 <br /> 39 Andy Petesch requested to make a brief comment regarding the submission of these materials as standing, Andy <br /> 40 Petesch does not object to the certified minutes but wanted to note for the record that he objected then and objects now <br /> 41 to the finding that the individuals LeAnn Brown represents have standing. <br /> 42 <br /> 43 LeAnn Brown asked if the board finds that the individuals she represents have standing so that she can proceed. Board <br /> 44 members nodded. LeAnn Brown noted for the record that all the board members nodded assent. <br /> 45 <br /> 46 LeAnn Brown said in the materials filed in the appeal, there is an error alleged that she wants to address. She said <br /> 47 Southeast Property Group, LLC, which is now called Wild Flora Farm, LLC, by merger -- a merger that occurred well <br /> 48 after this tax certificate -- Southeast Property Group, LLC, applied to this board for a Special Use Permit in 2015. The <br /> 49 facts are, as is reflected in the minutes that the board has received into evidence, that Michael Harvey originally <br /> 50 determined that a Class B Special Use Permit was required for the events center that was going to be built upon the <br />