|
61
<br /> DRAFT
<br /> 101 sense as a hub of activity and community engagement in the area. It has always been a natural gathering place.
<br /> 102 Currently, we serve the community in several different ways including events for community enjoyment,
<br /> 103 scholarships for graduating seniors from each of the local high schools, sponsorships of other local clubs and
<br /> 104 community organizations, benefit meals, and more. Every year,we host a rodeo which is very well attended and
<br /> 105 enjoyed by our local community, as well as surrounding communities. We allocate$6,000.00 each year to
<br /> 106 provide scholarships to two graduating seniors from each area high school who are furthering their education,
<br /> 107 either in academics or in a trade. We support youth programs both financially and by donating our space for their
<br /> 108 use. This year, we're sponsoring youth sports teams and we also support the high school athletic teams,
<br /> 109 specifically, the football teams, by providing a meal each year during their regular season. We've been
<br /> 110 approached by Scout troops in the past about using our buildings for meetings, and we're very open to this. We
<br /> 111 also allow other community focused groups, such as the Efland Historical Society, to use our space for regular
<br /> 112 meetings. Over the years, Relay for Life, American Red Cross, Hillsborough Hog Day, Timeless Cruisers,
<br /> 113 Hillsborough Sports Fishing Club, Orange County Sheriffs Department, and local churches and schools have all
<br /> 114 used our property to help support their goals and to improve our community for all Orange County citizens. We
<br /> 115 coordinate the benefit meals to support individual members of our community who have had tragedies befall
<br /> 116 them,from house fires to medical diagnoses. We also have outdoor facilities, a playground, and a walking track
<br /> 117 which the members of the community have access to for recreational purposes. Finally, we make our buildings
<br /> 118 available to the community as an event rental space for an affordable fee. Any money we earn is used to
<br /> 119 maintain our physical spaces, pay property taxes and other bills, and most importantly, to fund our
<br /> 120 service-oriented activities. The Club's membership has been growing steadily over the past 5 years, increasing
<br /> 121 in number and diversity. The membership is starting to better reflect the diverse makeup of our community from
<br /> 122 ethnicity to gender to age. We currently have about 35 members which is an increase of, like, 11 to 12 percent
<br /> 123 over the last 5 years. We think it's a really great sign to see the roster growing as many organizations have seen
<br /> 124 a decline in membership over the past decade. Our intention is to continue using this space to support our local
<br /> 125 community. We are focused on providing more opportunities for community enjoyment and engagement. This
<br /> 126 year, in addition to our annual rodeo,we added a tractor pull in the spring. We're in the process of brainstorming
<br /> 127 and implementing ideas about additional ways to give back including more regular summer events, such as free
<br /> 128 concerts or movie nights, additional or more regular benefit meals, and community service projects. Attendance
<br /> 129 at the Rodeo is so strong that we're also exploring ways to allow this continue growing as well. We would also
<br /> 130 like to be able to add a State Employees Credit Union Cash Points machine, as there are not any ATMs nearby.
<br /> 131 This is what provided the impetus for our long overdue rezoning application. Without the change in zoning, this
<br /> 132 affordable access to banking would not be allowed on our property. We think it's an important service to provide
<br /> 133 so that community members can have access to their money at a convenient and nearby location. Given our
<br /> 134 growth in membership and activities, we don't anticipate the Club disbanding at any point in the near future.
<br /> 135 Sadly though, my crystal ball is not working, and since no one can really guarantee anything,we do have a plan
<br /> 136 designated in our charter and bylaws should this ever happen. In the event that the Club should cease to exist,
<br /> 137 the land and assets are slated to be distributed among the area churches in an effort to maintain the space for
<br /> 138 community service of some kind. What that would look like is flexible, but again, the intent is to keep this space
<br /> 139 as a benefit to the community in one way or another. This rezoning will make sure that the Club can continue to
<br /> 140 support the community in as many ways as possible. Not only does it align with the County projected use of the
<br /> 141 area, it will also match the current use and allow us to offer additional services in the future such as adding an
<br /> 142 ATM. We appreciate your consideration, and we will do our best to answer any questions you may have for us.
<br /> 143
<br /> 144 Statler Gilfillen: You said you purchased the property in 1981, that would have been 46 years ago. Since
<br /> 145 that period of time, you've been basically doing what you're asking for in the zoning before us right now.
<br /> 146
<br /> 147 Jana Murdoch-Doherty: Yes.
<br /> 148
<br /> 149 Statler Gilfillen: So, historically, what you're asking for is a change in the paper writing, perhaps.
<br /> 150
<br />
|