2004 - 01-12-04 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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0 i3 P41` 74- Planner Althea Thompson discussed the proposed moratorium with the Board and answered questions. The Board was told that the Planning Board was asking for a six- month moratorium prohibiting the acceptance of applications for a Special Use Permit for placement of telecommunication towers. Information has been received from other similar North Carolina counties as to the use of consultants to assist with technical review of these applications. If adopted, activities during this moratorium period would include the following: • Having one or more consultants conduct a presentation with the Planning Board • Additional staff research regarding the advantages/disadvantages of using a consultant ■ Additional staff research into determining the necessary steps to implement such a process Mr. Downey told the Board the research that staff has conducted to this point suggests that many communities already use a third party consultant to review applications for telecommunication towers. He stated that the advantage of using a consultant is that they will provide an independent review and evaluation of new tower requests. Such a study may include but is not limited to an assessment of the search ring, evaluations of the proposed height, site options, compliance with existing ordinance standards, as well as aesthetic impacts. In doing so, the consultant would provide an analysis of the technical merits and accuracy of the carrier's application. Mr. Downey stated that all costs associated with the use of the third party consultant are passed on to the tower applicant with typical fees ranging from 5500 to $5,000 per application. It was further stated that if the Board of Commissioner's agreed to support the Planning Board's recommendation, the item could be placed on the February 16°i public hearing agenda. After some discussion, Commissioner Adams moved to deny the request from the Planning Board to place a six-month moratorium on telecommunication towers. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Adams, Hineks, Lemmond, Matthews, Paschal, Reives, and Stevens Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. The Board considered a grant application for the Tramway Road Park project. Recreation Director John Payne asked that the Board approve a matching grant application to the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) for the Tramway Road Park project. Mr. Payne told the Board that the project would be completed in phases and Phase I will include acquisition of 4.96 acres of property to go with 21.47 acres of the 82 acres already purchased. He further stated that the project will include development of a baseball and softball field with associated drainage, irrigation, fencing, bleachers, and site furniture; development of a soccer field including grading, associated drainage, irrigation, fencing, bleachers, and site furniture; development of a 0.5 mile paved walking trail around the Cann pond, development of a wooden boardwalk wetlands/nature study area; 4