DRAFT

Cary Town Council Meeting Minutes

Thursday, January 26, 2006

6:30 p.m.

Council Chambers

316 N. Academy Street, Cary, N.C.

Web Site:  www.townofcary.org  

 

Present: Mayor Ernie McAlister, Mayor Pro Tem Jack Smith, Council Members Marla Dorrel, Mike Joyce, Jennifer Robinson, Julie Robison and Nels Roseland

 

A.   COMMENCEMENT

 

1.    Call to Order (Mayor McAlister)

 

Mayor McAlister called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

 

_________________________

 

2.    Ceremonial Opening (Mr. Roseland)

 

Mr. Roseland provided the ceremonial opening.

 

_________________________

 

3.   Adoption of agenda (Town Council)

 

Mayor McAlister proposed the following changes to the agenda:

 

·         Addition of agenda item B.1.c.: Consideration of a request to allow Congressman David Price to use the council chambers on the evening of March 21, 2006 for a town hall meeting.

·         Deletion of agenda item B.2.a: Round 6 Land Development Ordinance amendment. Staff has requested that this track with the Alston development-related items.

 

ACTION: Mayor Pro Tem Smith moved to adopt the agenda with the above changes as suggested by Mayor McAlister. Mrs. Robinson provided the second.

 

Ms. Dorrel asked for clarification on why the Round 6 LDO amendments are being pulled from this agenda. Mayor McAlister stated due to the Round 6 association with the Alston development and the fact that it is not imperative that this ordinance be passed tonight, the staff informed him that it would be better to delay this item until the Alston issue is settled.

 

ACTION: Vote was called for on the motion to approve the amended agenda. Ms. Dorrel voted “no.” All others voted “aye.” The motion carried by majority vote.

 

_________________________

 

B.   CONSENT AGENDA

 

Item B.1.b.(3), annexation 06-A-04, was pulled from the consent agenda for discussion. Refer to agenda item G.1. for the discussion about this item.

 

 

1.   Regular Consent Agenda (any regular consent agenda item pulled for discussion will be discussed at the beginning of the old/new business portion of the agenda, which is item G on this agenda)

 

a.   Consideration of approval of the minutes of the regular town council meeting held on January 12, 2006 . (Town Council)

 

ACTION: Mayor Pro Tem Smith moved to approve the consent agenda (except item B.1.b.[3]). Mrs. Robinson provided the second, and council granted unanimous approval.

 

_________________________

 

b.   Consideration of adoption of certificates of sufficiency and resolutions calling for public hearings to be conducted on February 23, 2006 . (Mr. J.W. Shearin)

 

(1)     06-A-02: The property is located at the intersection of Dillard Drive and Piney Plains Drive and contains 32.62 acres. The associated rezoning case is 05-REZ-31, Dellinger Planned Development.

 

Annexation Petition Number: 06-A-02
Property Address: Piney
Plains Road , 5739, 5730 Dillard Drive
Wake
County Parcel Number: 0773408461, 0773504344, 0772496551
Real ID Number: 0339838, 0339839, 0037061
Petition Date:
11/28/2005

Proposed Effective Date:   2/23/2006

MEETINGS:
Town Council – Certificate of Sufficiency:
1/26/2006
Staff Recommendation:
Forward to public hearing on 2/23/2006
Town Council – Public Hearing:
2/23/2006
Staff Recommendation:
Adoption with an effective date of 2/23/2006

OWNERS:

Dellking Family LLC

207 Annandale Drive

Cary , NC   27511-6503

 

G & G Cary Storage LLC

10800 Sikes Place, Suite #170

Charlotte , NC   28277


LOCATION:
At the intersection of Dillard Drive and Piney Plains Drive

ZONING & PROPOSED USE:
Current Zoning:
PDD Major
Acreage:
32.17 plus 0.45% adjacent right of way = 32.62 total acres
% Contiguity:
81.88%
Corporate Limits:
Contiguous

Proposed Use: Residential
Associated Rezoning Case:
05-REZ-31 (Dellinger PDD)
Associated Development Plan:
None

 

UTILITIES:

Water:  On Site
Sewer:  On Site

DISTRICTS & TAX VALUE:
Fire District: Swift Creek
Voting District:  C
Tax Value: Under review

 

ACTION: Mayor Pro Tem Smith moved to approve the consent agenda (except item B.1.b.[3]). Mrs. Robinson provided the second, and council granted unanimous approval.

 

(Resolution is on file in the town clerk’s office and is incorporated in these minutes by reference.)

 

_________________________

 

(2)     06-A-03: The property is located 2,500 feet northwest of Green Level Church Road and Roberts Road and contains 27.19 acres. There is no associated rezoning or development plan.

 

Annexation Petition Number: 06-A-03
Property Address:
Roberts Road
Wake County
Parcel Number: 0733251732
Real ID Number: 0060307
Petition Date:
11/29/2005              

Proposed Effective Date: 2/23/2006

MEETINGS:
Town Council – Certificate of Sufficiency:
1/26/2006
Staff Recommendation:
Forward to public hearing on 2/23/2006
 Town Council – Public Hearing:  
2/23/2006
Staff Recommendation: 
    Adoption with an effective date of 2/23/2006

OWNERS:

Hubert E. Roberts Family Farm LLC

7517 Roberts Road

Cary , NC 27519


LOCATION:  
2,500' northwest of Green Level Church Road and Roberts Road

ZONING & PROPOSED USE:
Current Zoning:
Wake R-40W
Acreage:
27.19 plus 0.00% adjacent right of way = 27.19 total acres
% Contiguity:
0.00%
Corporate Limits:
Non-contiguous

Proposed Use: Residential
Associated Rezoning Case:
None
Associated Development Plan:
None

 

UTILITIES:

Water: 30" DIP 4,7900' south
Sewer: 8" DIP 3,970' east

DISTRICTS & TAX VALUE:
Fire District:
Hipex
Voting District:
A
Tax Value:
$530,205

 

ACTION: Mayor Pro Tem Smith moved to approve the consent agenda (except item B.1.b.[3]). Mrs. Robinson provided the second, and council granted unanimous approval.

 

(Resolution is on file in the town clerk’s office and is incorporated in these minutes by reference.)

 

_________________________

 

(3)     06-A-04: The property is located at 2002 New Hope Church Road and contains 45.48 acres. There is no associated rezoning or development plan.

 

This item was pulled from the consent agenda for discussion. See item G in these minutes for discussion and disposition.

 

_________________________

 

c.   Consideration of a request to allow Congressman David Price to use the council chambers on the evening of March 21, 2006 for a town hall meeting.

 

(NOTE: This item was added to the agenda at the beginning of the meeting.)

 

ACTION: Mayor Pro Tem Smith moved to approve the consent agenda (except item B.1.b.[3]). Mrs. Robinson provided the second, and council granted unanimous approval.

 

_________________________

 

2.   Land Development Consent Agenda (any land development consent agenda item pulled for discussion will be discussed at the beginning of the land development discussion portion of the agenda, which is item F on this agenda)

 

a.   Ordinance Amendment (Land Development Ordinance, Round 6)
Consideration of adoption of amendments to the Land Development Ordinance pertaining to the following: Sections 3.23.2(A) and 4.4.2(I): Remove the requirement for a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) for Activity Center Concept Plans (ACCPs); provide an alternative to defer the TIA until site or subdivision plan submittal, and instead require a screening traffic study with the ACCP; Section 4.4.2 (E): Amend section 4.4.2(E) to specify that if a parcel in an activity center is covered by an ACCP, and if that ACCP includes site design guidelines and/or a particular circulation network, then the guidelines and circulation network apply to the parcel under both the base district zoning and the ACCP; Section 4.4.2 (H): Remove the requirement that a PDD must also be submitted in tandem with an ACCP for an undeveloped “greenfield” activity center; Section 5.1.2, Table 5.1‑1; 5.2.1(L): Allow detached dwelling as a permitted use within Regional Activity Center Overlay Districts, subject to new use-specific standards; and Section 12.4: Add a definition for “site design guidelines.” (Mr. Scott Ramage)

 

This item was removed from this agenda and will be scheduled to come back to council with the Alston plan items.

 

_________________________

 

C.   RECOGNITIONS, REPORTS, AND PRESENTATIONS

 

1.   Presentation of prizes to winners of the Oasis camel coloring contest and the raffle winner. (Mr. Joyce)

 

Mr. Joyce and Finance Director Karen Mills awarded prizes and certificates to the winners.

 

_________________________

 

D.   PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

1.   Annexations

 

a.   05-A-33: The property is located at the intersection of West Ferrell Road and Lewter Shop Road and contains 78.23 acres. There is no associated development plan. Council may take action. (Mr. J.W. Shearin)

 

Annexation Petition Number: 05-A-33
Property Address:
Lewter Shop Road
Chatham County
Parcel Number: 0714-82-3482-000, portion 0714-83-6965-000
Parcel ID Number: 19999, 19957
Petition Date: 
10/11/2005

Proposed Effective Date:  1/12/2006

MEETINGS:
Town Council – Certificate of Sufficiency:  
11/10/2005
Staff Recommendation: 
   Forward to public hearing on 1/26/2006  
Town Council – Public Hearing: 
1/26/2006
 
OWNERS:
Galaxy Investments LLC
130 Edinburgh South,
Suite # 204
Cary , NC 27511

Highway 54 Partners LLC

130 Edinburgh South, Suite # 204

Cary , NC 27511

 

LOCATION:
At the intersection of
West Ferrell Road and Lewter Shop Road

 

APPLICANT JUSTIFICATION:

Requesting annexation into the corporate limits of the Town of Cary because we intend develop a large lot single family residential subdivision on our property that could be served by the town’s utilities.  The property is located approximately 3,700 ft from the existing corporate limits at the Copperleaf Planned Development District.

ZONING & PROPOSED USE:
Current Zoning: 
R3-9 and R3-8 (
Chatham )

Acreage:  78.23 plus 0.00 adjacent right of way = 78.23 total acres
% Contiguity: 
0.0%
Corporate Limits: 
Non-contiguous
Proposed Use: 
Residential
Associated Rezoning Case: 
None
Associated Development Plan: 
None

 

UTILITIES:  

Water:  16" DIP 8,070 northeast
Sewer: 8" PVC 8,240 northeast

DISTRICTS & TAX VALUE:
Fire District:  Morrisville
Voting District:  A
Tax Value:  $446,345.00

 

b.   05-A-36: The property is located at 3300, 3320 and 3328 Campbell Road and contains 31.38 acres. The associated development plan is 05-SB-015, Terrington Subdivision. Council may take action. (Mr. J.W. Shearin)

 

Annexation Petition Number: 05-A-36
Property Addresses: 3300, 3320 & 3328
Campbell Road
Wake County
Parcel Numbers: 0772810981, 0772713846, 0772714700, 0772619367, 0772714355, 0772719549, portion 0772718464
Real ID Numbers: 0023331, 0023295, 0324324, 0324325, 0324327, 0080954, 0019672
Petition Date:  
11/18/2005

Proposed Effective Date:   1/26/2006

MEETINGS:
Town Council – Certificate of Sufficiency:  
12/15/2005
Staff Recommendation:  
  Forward to public hearing on 1/12/2006   
Town Council – Public Hearing:  
1/26/2006

OWNERS:
John J. & Kim S. Summers
1908
Eagle Creek Court
Raleigh , NC   27606


Leora K. Scott
113
Pebble Loch Lane
Cary , NC   27511


LOCATION:

At the intersection of
Campbell Road and Rolling Oaks Lane

ZONING & PROPOSED USE:
Current Zoning:
Residential 40 (R40)
Acreage:
31.38 plus 0.00 adjacent right of way =  31.38 total acres
% Contiguity:
0.0%
Corporate Limits:
Non-contiguous
Proposed Use:
Residential
Associated Rezoning Case:
None
Associated Development Plan:
05-SB-015 (Terrington Subdivision)

 

UTILITIES:
Water:
8" PVC 1,220' west
Sewer:
8"PVC 1,300' west


DISTRICTS & TAX VALUE:
Fire District: Swift Creek
Voting District: C
Tax Value: $2,054,309.00

 

Mr. Travis Morehead stated he represents the applicant for 05-A-33. He stated they have had a pre-application conference with staff to share a proposal being considered by the applicant. He stated this proposal is a large lot single-family subdivision that will utilize the Residential-40 zoning district and the subdivision cluster design provision that will allow 50 percent of the site to remain as common open space and remain undisturbed.

 

(05-A-33): Mr. Terry Heath asked why there is no posting about the public hearing for the community to recognize that it is occurring. He asked why the N&O would run an article two weeks prior to the meeting regarding Cary not annexing any properties in Chatham County, but yet this annexation is on tonight’s agenda. He stated Cary ’s annexation into Chatham County would negatively impact the lifestyle that he chose.

 

(05-A-33): Mr. Kent Shackelford asked why Cary would annex property without a plan.

 

(05-A-33): Mr. Chris Widmann voiced his disapproval for annexing this property. He is opposed to Cary annexing Chatham County territory.

 

(05-A-33): Ms. Kay Roberts requested that council deny this annexation. She stated it is non-contiguous, it is almost a mile from other Cary property, and there is no plan for the property. She stated that annexation will result in sprawl and will destroy the rural character of the area.

 

(05-A-33): Mr. Larry Ballas stated he recently heard from one council member that this type of annexation is good, because the more people Cary has the more tax dollars Cary receives. He stated this answer has nothing to do with Cary quality of life. He stated the Wake County infrastructure has suffered due to the rapid growth, and there are few proposed solutions. He stated governments should ensure responsible growth, and he stated that responsible annexation is a way to organize expansion of contiguous boundaries. He does not think that non-contiguous annexation is the best decision for a community. He stated one council member feels strongly about landowners having the right to develop their land. He asked if the city should take over the responsibility to allow the land to be developed. He stated both opinions on this subject should be respected. He questioned why a landowner would want to pay Cary taxes if there is no planned use of the land. He suggested that annexation should be considered after a plan is available for the property. He urged the council to reject the satellite annexation request.

 

(05-A-33): Mr. Don Schoppe stated he moved from Cary for larger lots and a rural atmosphere. He stated if this annexation is approved, then it will only be a matter of time until other surrounding property is annexed, which could possibly force city services onto his development.

 

(05-A-33): Ms. Bettie Toma asked the council to deny this request. She does not want to be a part of Cary .

 

(05-A-33): Ms. Sally Kost stated there was not adequate public notice of this annexation. She stated the Town should post the land being requested for annexation. She stated she understands that the Town met the legal posting requirements by including an ad in the Cary News; however, she stated that Chatham County residents do not read the Cary News. She stated Cary should not annex without a plan. She stated that Chatham County needs to improve their planning efforts; however, she stated that the Chatham County residents do not want to live in Cary . She stated Wake County schools are overcrowded, and the Town of Cary must share this blame with the school system. She foresees that Cary and county taxes will increase to pay for the infrastructure required to support unchecked growth. She stated if taxes do not increase, then she believes services to existing Cary citizens will decline. She stated that Cary has lost its small town feel and citizen involvement. She stated a joint planning process must occur, and Chatham citizens impacted by the plan must have meaningful input. She urged the council to deny the annexation.

 

(05-A-33): Mr. Robert Sears stated that change is inevitable, and he stated the plan for this property is to make as much money as possible. He stated this annexation will impact Chatham County schools and will exacerbate the traffic situation. He believes if this annexation is approved, then it will lead to future involuntary annexations.

 

(05-A-33): Mr. Patrick Barnes, a Chatham County Commissioner, stated their Board sent Cary a resolution a while back requesting that Cary not annex Chatham County land until a joint plan is in place. He stated to continue with additional annexations violates the spirit of the resolution. He stated Chatham County does not need Cary’s problems, and he gave as an example the recent N&O article about the amount of money that the Wake County school system needs to educate its students. He stated that Cary should stay out of Chatham County .

 

(05-A-33): Mr. Brian Kluchar stated there is a portion in Cary ’s southwest plan that states that Chatham County landowners requesting annexation must first apply for a rezoning and land use plan amendment. He stated this property has not gone through this process. He voiced his opposition to the annexation and stated the property is about 3,000 feet away from the next closest Wake County development.

 

(05-A-33): Ms. Kristen Casper is a Cary Park resident and she selected this area because it was still somewhat rural. She stated traffic is a problem and she continually sees new development of houses that seem to be five feet from one another. She is worried that the same thing will happen in Chatham County , and she stated as soon as water and sewer is available, then people will build houses very close together. She urged the council to respect Chatham County and its residents.

 

No one else came forward to speak, and Mayor McAlister closed the public hearing.

 

ACTION: Mr. Roseland moved to approve 05-A-36; Mayor Pro Tem Smith provided the second; council granted unanimous approval.

 

(Resolution is on file in the town clerk’s office and is incorporated in these minutes by reference.)

 

Mayor McAlister asked staff to respond to the questions that the public asked regarding 05-A-33 during the public hearing: posting requirements, development plan associated with the annexation, necessity to connect to Town services if in an adjacent but unannexed tract, and the requirements to utility connections if annexed in the future. He noted that the N&O article is outside the Town’s control.

 

Mrs. Robison also wants staff to address the question about there being a requirement that the landowner must submit a plan prior to being annexed.

 

Mr. Shearin of the planning staff stated the Town does not post property being considered for annexation. He added that this is not required by state law or Town ordinance. He stated the Town is required to provide notice in a local paper of general circulation, and the Town complied with this request by advertising in the Cary News. He stated if there had been an associated rezoning, then staff would have posted the property being considered for rezoning. He stated in response to the involuntary annexation question, typically the property owner submits a voluntary annexation petition to request annexation. He stated this is generally driven by a development plan or a request for public utilities. He stated in regards to the annexation, rezoning and land use issue, the Town’s ordinance allows a property owner to request annexation without rezoning; if there is not an associated rezoning, then the Town applies the appropriate zoning either based on the current zoning in Chatham County or the current development pattern in the area – whichever is deemed the most appropriate for future land use in the area. He stated it is not tied to a specific plan. He stated in this particular situation if the annexation is approved, then the Town would designate the land as Residential-40, which is a single family category that would require 40,000 square foot lots (minimum) on a development plan.

 

Mrs. Robison asked the criteria used by staff to come up with the Residential-40 (R-40) designation. Mr. Shearin stated presently land in Cary ’s ETJ without public services provides would be R-40, and this is viewed as a “holding pattern” until some future date. He stated this property has no projected development plans, and R-40 is the most likely designation for Cary to place on this property. He stated that Chatham County has zoning designations similar to Cary ’s R-40.

 

Mrs. Robison would prefer to explore an alternative default zoning, because it is a sensitive setting. Mr. Shearin stated that Cary does have a Residential-80 (R-80) zoning designation, but the Town has never used it. He stated R-80 would require almost two acre lots sizes. He stated that most of the land that surrounds this site are large lots and are farmland or forested.

 

Mr. Roseland asked about sewer options to serve the site. Mr. Steve Brown of the engineering staff stated the nearest public sewer is in the Copperleaf development. He stated the west Cary pump station is going to construction next month, and there will be a main trunk sewer line. He stated utilities are several thousand feet away from this development and would probably require a pump station for wastewater services. He stated staff has not yet evaluated alternatives.

 

Mr. Roseland asked if a conservation overlay designation would require rezoning. Mr. Shearin stated the property is in the Jordan Lake watershed overlay district, and the development standards in this area are at a higher standard due to the critical watershed area. He stated the conservation overlay designation that applies in Cary currently only applies to properties in Cary ’s extra-territorial jurisdiction at this time. He stated it could be applied during the rezoning process.

 

Ms. Dorrel stated this is not the right time to approve this annexation.

 

ACTION: Ms. Dorrel moved to deny annexation 05-A-33. Mrs. Robison provided the second.

 

Mrs. Robison stated the purpose of her second to the motion is to allow Ms. Dorrel the opportunity to comment on the motion, but she wants the record to reflect that it does not imply that she supports the motion.

 

Ms. Dorrel stated the problem is that there is no joint plan in place. She is not willing to move forward without a plan. She is concerned that the land is non-contiguous, and there are only vague assurances about how the land might be developed. She stated she is not opposed to delaying this item, but she understands that council may only delay it for six months, which does not allow sufficient time to develop a joint plan. Mr. Shearin clarified that the council may table the case, and then delay action to a later date and still have six months from that later date.

 

ACTION: Ms. Dorrel withdrew her motion, and Mrs. Robison withdrew her second.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Smith stated he recalls from the resolution that Cary would not consider annexations into Chatham County until a plan is developed, with the exception of the Chatham County annexations already in process. Mr. Shearin confirmed that this particular annexations was already in process. Mayor Pro Tem Smith stated this discussion was clear at an earlier council meeting.

 

Mrs. Robinson stated the southwest area plan to the east of this property is designated as rural, and Note 18 that accompanies it speaks about no less than 80,000 square foot lots. She stated the conservation very low density property is on the eastern side of the rural designation, and it also speaks about 80,000 square foot lots. She believes the council should consider the base zoning for this area. She supports tabling this item to give staff the opportunity to understand the appropriate zoning for this area to comply with the southwest plan. She pointed out that the Cary council gave Chatham County citizens an opportunity to provide meaningful input in the southwest plan; however, these citizens did not want Cary planning for Chatham County . She stated the council was specifically asked by Commissioner Barnes to not plan for Chatham County . She stated the council honored this request; however, now the same people are asking Cary not to do anything without a plan. She stated the Town has tried to be responsive to the desires of Chatham County . She believes everyone would be better off had this area been included in the Cary plan.

 

Mr. Joyce stated he understands the passion of the Chatham County residents; however, this voluntary annexation is legal. He hears the concerns, but he will support the annexation because he also supports the rights of property owners.

 

ACTION: Ms. Dorrel moved to table annexation 05-A-33 until staff brings it back to clarify the base zoning. Mr. Roseland provided the second.

 

Mrs. Robison asked if Ms. Dorrel is willing to further define the motion to include the direction to staff to come back with zoning that is compatible to surrounding zoning.

 

Mr. Shearin stated R-40 is the standard in Cary . He stated staff would like to talk with the applicant to discuss R-80, since the original discussion with the applicant regarding this annexation included a R-40 zoning element. He stated if R-80 is not compatible with the applicant’s request, then staff will need to look at alternatives with the rezoning process.

 

Mr. Roseland stated he wants to table the request, because he understands that a conservation overlay cannot be applied to this property without a rezoning. He stated the rezoning and annexation need to be processed simultaneously. Mr. Shearin stated there is a clustering option under the R-40 designation, which allows a developer to set aside land – not to exceed the density under R-40 – and do smaller lots. He stated this would allow the developer to save the balance of the area for conservation. However, he stated this is a development option (not a requirement) through the subdivision process, after the land is annexed and designated R-40.

 

Mayor McAlister asked for clarification to ensure the motion to table does not preclude it coming back to council with an R-80 zoning or with a conservation overlay district attached to it. Mr. Roseland also asked for clarificaton to ensure that when it comes back to council there could be a specific subdivision plan tied to the annexation. Mr. Shearin commented that this can happen.

 

Mrs. Robison hopes that it comes back with a base zoning or a clear plan that includes some consultation with the adjacent property owners.

 

ACTION: Ms. Dorrel withdrew her motion based on the conversation in these minutes; Mr. Roseland withdrew his second.

 

ACTION: Ms. Dorrel moved to deny the annexation. The motion failed for lack of a second.

 

ACTION: Mr. Roseland moved to table 05-A-33 indefinitely until it is tied to either a long range plan,a subdivision plan or a rezoning to allow the council to see the whole package together. Mrs. Robison provided the second.

 

Mr. Joyce would prefer to handle this annexation tonight and direct that the subdivision plan come back to council. He is opposed to delaying this item for a process to occur that has not even begun yet. He asked when the next meeting with Chatham County will occur.

 

Mr. Philip Smith of the planning staff stated the Cary and Chatham County planners have had one meeting, and they plan to meet on a regular basis. He stated the first public meeting will be in March or April.