MINUTES OF THE WHITSETT PLANNING BOARD
January 3, 2007
The monthly meeting of the Whitsett Planning Board was held at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 3, 2007, at the Whitsett Town Hall. In attendance: Bob Maccia, Evelyn Rutkoski, Paul Lewis, Joe Wheeler, Christy Saunders, and Councilmember Jerry Rice. Absent: Patrick Hickey, Jr., Homer Moser, and Sharon Hunt. Also present was Ken Jacobs. Planning Board Chairman Bob Maccia called the meeting to order.
1. Adoption of Minutes
Minutes from Planning Board meeting on December 6, 2006. Motion made by
PB member Joe Wheeler to adopt the minutes from the December 6 meeting as presented; motion seconded by PB member Paul Lewis. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
PB Chairman Bob Maccia stated that discussion on the lighting ordinance would be moved to a future Planning Board meeting after the engineer Chris Morrison from Cooper Lighting could meet with the Board to further explain some of the technical terms and recommendations for a more mutual understanding.
First, PB Chairman Bob Maccia announced to the Board that the Town Council at its December 12 meeting, approved the move of Joe Wheeler from PB alternate to PB member seat. This, of course, still leaves a vacant alternate seat; and anyone interested in serving as a PB alternate, should contact the PB Chairman or any
PB member to express interest.
PB Chairman Maccia asked for nominations from the Board for anyone to serve in 2007 as the PB Chairman; no one expressed interest. That given, Bob Maccia offered to serve for another year as the Chairman; and asked PB member Joe Wheeler if he would consider serving as Vice Chairman for a year. PB member Wheeler agreed to the charge. PB Chairman Bob Maccia will announce these appointments to the Town Council at its January 9, meeting.
Update on James Ingle Situation. PB Chairman Bob Maccia stated that he had been in contact with James Ingle following Mr. Ingle’s presentation to the Planning Board on December 6. Mr. Ingle, who had intended to attend the Town Council meeting on December 12 to present his case, did not appear. PB Chairman Maccia gave a quick recap of the Ingle property mainly for the benefit of PB alternate Christy Saunders who was unable to attend the December 6 Planning Board meeting.
As a final wrap-up, PB Chairman Maccia stated that for now the James Ingle situation has been put to rest. Mr. Ingle heard no further word from the company developing the land contiguous to his; Mr. Ingle, therefore, has decided to remain in Whitsett and not pursue any business dealings or de-annexation petition.
PB Chairman Maccia passed along to the Planning Board Mr. Ingle’s thanks for the Board’s time and attention.
Sign Ordinance Compliance. PB member Evelyn Rutkoski stated that she had coordinated formulating a list of businesses in town with existing signs that are in violation of the newly adopted sign ordinance—namely, Brightwood Storage, Whitsett Mini-Mart, and American Mulch Supply. The list has been forwarded to Town Administrator/Enforcement Officer Gary Deal who will notify businesses of their present nonconformance and lay out plans for future compliance.
PB member Rutkoski also had spent considerable time researching current Guilford County policies with regard to letters and certificates of compliance; and extended her research to the City of Greensboro procedures. The ultimate results were that they [County/City] have discontinued using the certificate method.
In addition and most important, PB member Rutkoski reminded Council members present at the PB meeting that the dates in the sign ordinance need to be determined by the Town Council and inserted in the new ordinance for completion and enforcement.
Councilmember liaison Jerry Rice expressed concern over enforcement of the newly-adopted buffer zone amendments (June 13, 2006; copy attached); and that he would like to see the Planning Board re-review the ordinance once the lighting
ordinance before the Board is completed. The buffer zone ordinance lends itself to too many interpretations as it stands; and even though may only require minor changes, would like to see it fine tuned and enforced accordingly.
After lengthy discussion among those present, the buffer zone ordinance will be revisited at a future PB meeting. This exchange of opinions and ideas was a lead-in for Ken Jacobs to state that he would like to see the Town Council charge the Planning Board with developing a plan of ideas as to how the Board visualizes Whitsett to look, especially in the long term.
With no further business before the Board, PB Chairman Bob Maccia invited a motion to adjourn. Motion made by PB member Evelyn Rutkoski to adjourn; motion seconded by PB member Joe Wheeler. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
The next meeting of the Whitsett Planning Board is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 7, 2006, at the Town Hall.
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Town Clerk Planning Board Chairman