5_1_24 Planning Board Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Approved 6.5.24 151 approached by Scout troops in the past about using our buildings for meetings, and we're very open to this. We 152 also allow other community focused groups, such as the Efland Historical Society, to use our space for regular 153 meetings. Over the years, Relay for Life, American Red Cross, Hillsborough Hog Day, Timeless Cruisers, 154 Hillsborough Sports Fishing Club, Orange County Sheriffs Department, and local churches and schools have all 155 used our property to help support their goals and to improve our community for all Orange County citizens. We 156 coordinate the benefit meals to support individual members of our community who have had tragedies befall 157 them,from house fires to medical diagnoses. We also have outdoor facilities, a playground, and a walking track 158 which the members of the community have access to for recreational purposes. Finally, we make our buildings 159 available to the community as an event rental space for an affordable fee. Any money we earn is used to 160 maintain our physical spaces, pay property taxes and other bills, and most importantly, to fund our 161 service-oriented activities. The Club's membership has been growing steadily over the past 5 years, increasing 162 in number and diversity. The membership is starting to better reflect the diverse makeup of our community from 163 ethnicity to gender to age. We currently have about 35 members which is an increase of, like, 11 to 12 percent 164 over the last 5 years. We think it's a really great sign to see the roster growing as many organizations have seen 165 a decline in membership over the past decade. Our intention is to continue using this space to support our local 166 community. We are focused on providing more opportunities for community enjoyment and engagement. This 167 year, in addition to our annual rodeo,we added a tractor pull in the spring. We're in the process of brainstorming 168 and implementing ideas about additional ways to give back including more regular summer events, such as free 169 concerts or movie nights, additional or more regular benefit meals, and community service projects. Attendance 170 at the Rodeo is so strong that we're also exploring ways to allow this continue growing as well. We would also 171 like to be able to add a State Employees Credit Union Cash Points machine, as there are not any ATMs nearby. 172 This is what provided the impetus for our long overdue rezoning application. Without the change in zoning, this 173 affordable access to banking would not be allowed on our property. We think it's an important service to provide 174 so that community members can have access to their money at a convenient and nearby location. Given our 175 growth in membership and activities, we don't anticipate the Club disbanding at any point in the near future. 176 Sadly though, my crystal ball is not working, and since no one can really guarantee anything,we do have a plan 177 designated in our charter and bylaws should this ever happen. In the event that the Club should cease to exist, 178 the land and assets are slated to be distributed among the area churches in an effort to maintain the space for 179 community service of some kind. What that would look like is flexible, but again, the intent is to keep this space 180 as a benefit to the community in one way or another. This rezoning will make sure that the Club can continue to 181 support the community in as many ways as possible. Not only does it align with the County projected use of the 182 area, it will also match the current use and allow us to offer additional services in the future such as adding an 183 ATM. We appreciate your consideration, and we will do our best to answer any questions you may have for us. 184 185 Statler GiIfillen: You said you purchased the property in 1981, that would have been 46 years ago. Since 186 that period of time, you've been basically doing what you're asking for in the zoning before us right now. 187 188 Jana Murdoch-Doherty: Yes. 189 190 Statler GiIfillen: So, historically, what you're asking for is a change in the paper writing, perhaps. 191 192 Jana Murdoch-Doherty: Yes. 193 194 Statler GiIfillen: But has there ever been any complaint or is anybody with Planning staff aware of any 195 complaints or legal issues about your use of the land and what was technically a violation of the zoning? Has 196 that ever appeared to anybody, any knowledge? 197 198 Cy Stober: I can answer that question,we don't have any complaints on record in recent history. I can't 199 comment back to 10 years. 200