The
Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, May
1, 2006, at 6:30pm in the Conference Room of Blue Ridge Electric, 1889 Highway
21 South, Sparta, North Carolina.
Present: Chair Eldon Edwards, Vice-Chair Warren
Taylor, Commissioner Graylen Blevins, Commissioner
Chair
Eldon Edwards called the meeting to order.
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins opened the meeting with a prayer.
Chair
Eldon Edwards stated that Glade Creek Volunteer Fire Department needs to be
removed from the agenda.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the amended agenda for this
AGENDA
Motion on Agenda for
Motion on Minutes for
RE: 911 Road Names
RE: 911 Ordinance Discussions
RE: Facility Needs
RE: Property Rights Protection
Ordinance
1. Recycling Contract
2. Other Business
3. Public Comments—30 minutes
4. Closed Session—NCGS 143-318.11 (a)
(3)—legal
5. Adjourn
Commissioner
Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the minutes for the
Chair Eldon Edwards recessed the
regular meeting at
Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public
comments. None were received.
Chair Eldon Edwards closed the
public hearing at
Commissioner
Ken Richardson stated that option three is his definition of a resident where
the person actually resides in a dwelling on the affected road for a period of
more than six months in a calendar year.
The
Board of Commissioners and
The
Board of Commissioners and Wendy Williams discussed the current procedures for
road name changes.
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins stated that he knows the Browns live in
Evelyn
Hash stated that the Browns did spend some time in
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins and Evelyn Hash discussed the road going to the cabin being
drivable.
Chair
Eldon Edwards asked Ms. Hash if any of the Browns’ road names are acceptable to
them. She stated that
Commissioner Warren Taylor made a
motion to approve
Commissioner Warren Taylor restated
his motion to approve
Commissioner Warren Taylor made a
motion to approve option three for the definition of a resident. Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the
motion. Vote 5:0.
The Board of Commissioners stated
that is what they recommend.
Commissioner Warren Taylor stated no
objections to amending his motion regarding the definition.
Suzanne Irwin came before the
Commissioners on behalf of the Alleghany County Public Library. She stated their need to expand. She gave a history of the project and
discussions held regarding the project.
She stated that with the purchase of the Richardson/Young property, they
can move forward with the library expansion project. She explained that on April 24, the library
board voted to ask the Commissioners to place the Alleghany County Public
Library on a bond referendum as a stand alone issue on the November ballot.
Commissioner Ken Richardson made a
motion to move forward with this in the form of a referendum to give the
Commissioner Warren Taylor asked if
they have costs estimates for the project.
Suzanne Irwin stated that is part of
the information that is being gathered and will be given to the
Chair Eldon Edwards asked if this
action is only allowing the referendum to be put on the ballot.
Commissioner Ken Richardson stated
that there will have to be another vote by this Board when all of the details
are available. He stated that they are
close to having the information available, but they wanted to give the
Commissioner
Commissioner Warren Taylor and
Commissioner Ken Richardson discussed an architect has already been contracted;
he attended the last meeting and understands that they need this additional
information as soon as possible.
Commissioner
Commissioner Ken Richardson stated
that he promises the Board will have information by May 23.
Chair Eldon Edwards asked if this
has any affect on another referendum; such as, the school needs.
The Board of Commissioners talked
about having two separates votes on the two separate issues.
Chair Eldon Edwards asked for a vote
on the motion on the floor.
The Board of Commissioners asked to
hear the motion again.
Commissioner Ken Richardson said his
motion is an opportunity for the Commissioners to give their tentative approval
for going forward with a bond referendum being put on the November ballot
regarding building a new library.
The Board voted on the motion on the
floor. Vote 5:0.
Hubert Wagoner with Laurel Springs
Volunteer Fire Department presented their annual report. He reviewed the number of calls; number of
firemen, junior firemen, first responders; types of calls responded to and
types of training they participated in.
Chair Eldon Edwards and Hubert
Wagoner discussed problems getting people to volunteer to join the fire
department. Hubert Wagoner explained that
was the reason for getting the junior firemen’s program stated. He further explained the ages for the junior
firemen.
Chair Eldon Edwards stated that the
firemen are to be commended for their efforts and being volunteers.
Commissioner Graylen Blevins and
Hubert Wagoner discussed the need for a training facility in
Chair Eldon Edwards stated his
appreciation to the fire departments.
Commissioner Warren Taylor stated
that he is satisfied with the current arrangement especially if the Town
extends their contract.
Chair Eldon Edwards and Commissioner
Sandy Carter Herndon stated that they don’t have any problems with that.
Commissioner Ken Richardson stated
that he was in
Chair Eldon Edwards mentioned County
Assembly Day in
Commissioner Ken Richardson stated
that he is trying to rearrange his schedule.
Commissioner
Chair Eldon Edwards said to let
Clerk to the Board
Chair Eldon Edwards called for a
5-minute recess at
Chair Eldon Edwards reconvened the
meeting and opened the public hearing at
Commissioner Warren Taylor informed
everyone that last fall each Commissioner submitted three people to form the
committee that created this ordinance.
He thanked each one for their hard work and volunteer hours. He recognized the committee members; Bill
Rost, Dave Jackson, David Isner, Jim Dixon, Jim Smith, Joe Ritchie, Marvin
Myers, Paula Presnell, Pete Church, Steve Roten, Susan Murphy, Susan Reinhardt,
Walt Green and Wayne Andrews. He stated his
appreciation for their hard work.
Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public
comments.
DW Miles stated that this is a good
committee, and they have done a good job.
He further stated that this is on the right track but the Board needs to
be cautious and not take privileges away from the citizens. He gave examples of good and bad ordinances
that the
Susan Reinhardt asked everyone to
read section 7.2 (2) in Article 7. She
asked if the wording should read the developer or representative.
Milly
Bob Bamberg asked about combining agriculture with something
else to make the venture more profitable like choose and cut.
Commissioner
Judy Farmer stated that she lives here and own property
here. She further stated that it rubs
her the wrong way to have someone tell her what to do with her property. She asked the Board to please put this out
for a vote and to not take this right away from citizens.
Bill Maxwell asked for a clarification about 5.3 (2),
incidental agriculture.
Amy Pardue and County Manager Don Adams explained 5.3 (2).
Bill Maxwell asked if a farm builds an outbuilding like a
shed, would that come before the Planning Board.
Ron DeBord asked about if he expanded his existing business
building or built another building on that lot, would he have to go through
this process.
County Manager
Ron DeBord asked if someone purchased property next to him
and didn’t like the condition of his lot or his shop and the surroundings, can
they change it.
Ron DeBord asked about working until
Commissioner
Rennie Todd asked how neighbor can sue neighbor.
Commissioner
Johnny Williams stated that 6-3 is all about the racetrack.
Wilma Anders asked about page 6-3. She gave an example about her greenhouse,
riding her four-wheeler or excessive lightning.
She stated that she isn’t talking abut businesses, just her own personal
use.
Bill Rost stated that there are basic misinterpretations. He stated that new businesses must answer the
questions on 6-3 and the answers determine whether they must go through the
process. He explained the intent of the
ordinance.
Ronnie Woodie stated that what he thought Ms. Anders is
talking about is if we go through the process and get our permits, get
everything else in line, put our savings into the project, everything is all
legal according to the county ordinances, then someone sues you and shuts you
down; does this ordinance offer any protection on that.
Ronnie Woodie stated that the Board
of Commissioners needs to look at protecting the residents and landowners of
the county, not make the county molded around everyone that comes in here.
Commissioner
Ronnie Woodie talked about the Board
of Commissioners didn’t back him up when he came before the Board about a
racetrack issue but helped direct his neighbors find a way to go against him.
The audience discussed the issues
among themselves.
Commissioner Warren Taylor stated
that he understands what Mr. Woodie has been through. He talked about if this ordinance had been in
place before the track was built maybe it would have stopped a lot of the
unnecessary actions.
Joe Ritchie talked about the
concerns heard here tonight have been discussed during the committee meetings. He explained the purpose of this meeting. He further talked about trying to head off
some of these problems through the ordinance and prevent lawsuits.
Junior Todd asked what the
differences are with a racetrack because it still disturbs your neighbors.
Commissioner
The audience discussed the recent
lawsuit regarding Mr. Woodie’s racetrack.
The audience discussed other issues among themselves.
Commissioner Graylen Blevins asked
that people not be hostile towards the committee members. He talked about these people were picked to
represent the community as a whole. He
stated that the County has no control over what the judge said. He talked about the purpose of the ordinance.
Jason Williams asked who the
Planning Board will be.
The Board of Commissioners stated
that it hasn’t been decided who will be appointed to serve as volunteers on
this board.
Rennie Todd stated that she is
publicly volunteering to serve on the Planning Board.
Judy Farmer asked how the ordinance
affects go-cart tracks and sawmills.
Rennie Todd asked if you can have
go-cart tracks.
DW Miles asked about page 9-2, 9.5
(c), non-conforming uses expanding. He
talked about the need to study this ordinance a little more before passing
it.
DW Miles stated the need for that to
be explained out in the ordinance and the need to study the ordinance before the
vote.
Bill Maxwell asked about taking out
part of the wording of 5.3 (2) concerning objectionable by reason of odor,
dust, noise, pollution and erosion or drainage.
County Attorney
County Manager
Bill Maxwell talked about this issue
is open-ended and wonders how many other open-ended things are in the ordinance.
Chair Eldon Edwards closed the
public hearing at
Chair Eldon Edwards stated that the
Board will take tonight’s comments under consideration and discuss this at
another meeting.
Being no further business, Commissioner
Graylen Blevins made a motion to adjourn at
Respectfully
submitted,
Clerk to the Board
Attest:
Eldon Edwards
Chairman