MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE

 TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL, TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990, 7:30 PM 

 

Mayor Howes called the hearing to order.

 

Council Members in attendance were:

 

          Julie Andresen     Nancy Preston

          Joyce Brown        James C. Wallace

          Joe Herzenberg     Arthur Werner

              Roosevelt Wilkerson, Jr.

 

Council Member Alan Rimer was absent excused. Also in attendance were Assistant to the Mayor Lisa Price, Interim Town Manager Sonna Loewenthal, Assistant Town Manager Florentine Miller, Pub­lic Safety Director Cal Horton, Town Engineer George Small, Plan­ning Director Roger Waldon, Assistant to the Attorney Richard Sharpless and Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos.

 

South Columbia Street Alignment

 

Interim Town Manager Sonna Loewenthal noted that the South Colum­bia Street alignment had been identified as a high priority Town roadway project. Ms. Loewenthal noted that North Carolina De­partment of Transportation staff had proposed twelve possible alternatives for the reconstruction of South Columbia Street. Ms. Loewenthal stated that the Department of Transportation had agreed to fund construction of a five‑lane section of South Co­lumbia Street. Ms. Loewenthal briefly reviewed the three basic roadway alternatives, including the possible inclusion of sixteen and twenty‑four foot medians, bus pull‑outs, sidewalks and bikeways. Ms. Loewenthal noted that Town Engineer George Small was available to answer any questions by the Council.

 

John Sanders, 1107 Sourwood Drive, past Chairperson of the Uni­versity Building and Grounds Committee, stated that if the Coun­cil chose to decline the Department of Transportation's funding now, improvements to South Columbia Street would be deferred to an uncertain date in the future. Mr. Sanders noted that the Uni­versity had authorized construction of several new buildings dur­ing the past year, while roadway alignment alternatives had been under discussion between State and Town officials. Mr. Sanders said that widening South Columbia Street to five lanes would pro­vide relief for other streets in the middle of Town. Mr. Sanders urged the Council to authorize improvements to South Columbia Street,

 

Greg Gangi, 2444 Wayfarer Court, representing the Sierra Club, stated that preliminary traffic projections indicated the possibility that the number of cars in Town would triple during the next twenty years. Mr. Gangi stated that widening roads would invite a trend toward a greater number of cars. Mr. Gangi stated that a wiser solution to traffic problems was to upgrade the Chapel Hill‑Carrboro bus system and to provide more park and ride lots. Mr. Gangi also indicated that there should be disincentives for the use of single occupant vehicles.

 

Former Town Council Member David Godschalk said he strongly sup­ported improvements to South Columbia Street. Mr. Godschalk stated that without improvements, traffic congestion problems along South Columbia Street would worsen. Mr. Godschalk noted that approximately ten years ago, the Town Council had been asked to consider widening the U.S. 15‑501 bypass. Mr. Godschalk noted that the Council had rejected the widening proposal at that time and the Town was now paying the price for this refusal. Mr. Godschalk stated that State highway monies are a scarce resource, especially in Chapel Hill. Mr. Godschalk added that improving South Columbia Street in the future would become more costly. Mr. Godschalk urged the Council to adopt Resolution A.

 

Martin Feinstein, 400 Coolidge Street, said he and his neighbors opposed the widening of South Columbia Street, since such a project might adversely impact area property values. Mr. Feinstein expressed concern that the plan funded by the Depart­ment of Transportation did not include bikepaths or sidewalks. Mr. Feinstein said he could not imagine that widening South Co­lumbia Street without benefit of a median would make the area safer. Mr. Feinstein noted that if the Council approved widening South Columbia Street, he advocated the installation of a twen­ty‑four foot median for landscaping, four‑foot bicycle lanes and sidewalks.

 

Robert Smith, 1008 South Columbia Street, said he strongly op­posed the widening of South Columbia Street purely upon the basis that the State was making project funding available to the Town. Mr. Smith suggested that the Council should consider the possible impact of the bypass widening on local traffic patterns.

 

Margaret Taylor, President of the Alliance of Neighborhoods, said she did not envy the Council in having to reach a decision on this matter. Ms. Taylor expressed hope that Department of Transportation officials would be flexible in considering alter­natives for South Columbia Street. Ms. Taylor noted that some principles in the recently adopted Town Comprehensive Plan run counter to the Department of Transportation's proposal for South Columbia Street. Ms. Taylor observed that no one other than De­partment of Transportation officials favored the construction of the Pittsboro Street Extension. Ms. Taylor thanked the Council for the opportunity to speak and asked them to examine the pro­posed South Columbia Street widening within the context of other roadway improvements around the Town.

 

Mary Turner‑Lane, 509 Dogwood Acres Drive, said she was speaking on behalf of the unique character of Chapel Hill. Ms. Turner‑Lane requested that the Council not widen South Columbia Street into a five lane thoroughfare. Ms. Turner‑Lane stated that South Colum­bia Street is currently handling traffic volumes satisfactorily. Ms. Turner‑Lane stated that improvements to the 15‑501 bypass will have a major impact on improving traffic to and from the hospital complex. Ms. Turner‑Lane requested that the Council consider the aesthetic quality of entranceways to the Town as part of their decision‑making process. Ms. Turner‑Lane stated that congestion on South Columbia Street tends to occur for ap­proximately thirty minutes in the morning and thirty minutes at night. She inquired whether widening South Columbia Street would be an improvement in light of air quality concerns and the in­creasing scarcity of fossil fuel.

 

Eva Metzger stated that she did not live in the South Columbia Street area, but wished to advise the Council of her advocacy for sidewalks and bicycle paths. Ms. Metzger said that South Colum­bia Street's present alignment provides a very picturesque ap­proach to the Town. Ms. Metzger requested that the Council wait one year in its decision‑making process, in order to evaluate the impact of the bypass expansion on traffic flows in the South Co­lumbia Street area. Ms. Metzger stated the majority of those using an expanded South Columbia Street would be out‑of‑town res­idents. Ms. Metzger said that the current two lane road would adequately accommodate the needs of Town residents.

 

Ms. Metzger concluded her remarks by observing that the Universi­ty had partial responsibility for the cost of installing side­walks and bicycle paths in the University area.

 

Don Stanat, Chairperson of the Chapel Hill League for Safe Bicy­cling, said that if South Columbia Street were expanded, bicycle paths should be included in the expansion. He stated that bicy­cle usage would assist in relief traffic congestion in the area. Mr. Stanat stated that a two foot bicycle lane would meet the needs of most bicyclists.

 

William Frey observed that he rode a bus to this evening's meet­ing. Mr. Frey said it was not necessary to widen South Columbia Street at present. Mr. Frey stated that wider bike lanes and sidewalks are needed along South Columbia Street. Mr. Frey also noted that bus pull‑outs were not absolutely necessary since wid­er lanes to pull around buses adequately served their purpose. Mr. Frey urged the Council to take account of pedestrians and bicyclists in their decision‑making process.

 

Joe Capowski, 404 Coolidge Street, said his first preference was for the Council to reconstruct South Columbia Street with a twenty‑four foot median and no bus pull‑outs. Mr. Capowski said he was completely opposed to the Department of Transportation's initial proposal. Mr. Capowski stated that the Department of Transportation proposal would completely contradict the Town's master landscaping plan. Mr. Capowski observed that persons who reside outside the Town would benefit the most from expanding South Columbia Street. Mr. Capowski noted that the number of houses affected by the realignment of South Columbia Street was approximately the same for each of the three configurations.

 

Mr. Capowski said it would cost approximately $1.8 million to reconstruct the portion of South Columbia Street with a twen­ty‑four foot median, equating to approximately $13.50 per resi­dent per year for the next twenty‑five years, based on a $100,000 home. Mr. Capowski, noting that Department of Transportation officials had compared the proposed project to Airport Road, stated his displeasure about the appearance of Airport Road. Mr. Capowski urged the Council to include vegetation, bicycle paths and sidewalks in any plans to widen South Columbia Street. Mr. Capowski stated that the use of alternative transportation pro­vided the Council with a golden opportunity to preserve the southern entrance to the Town.

 

Betty Francisco requested that the Council act to widen South Columbia Street as soon as possible. Ms. Francisco observed that plans had been in place for the past twelve years. Ms. Francisco stated that if South Columbia Street were not widened in the near term, it could be quite some time before funding was made avail­able again. Ms. Francisco stated that she had been a resident of the Town for twenty‑three and a half years. Ms. Francisco said she had attended a number of meetings where citizens opposing the widening of the 15‑501 bypass felt this would be an effective strategy to stop Town growth. Ms. Francisco stated that the mes­sage of history is that the lack of roads is not a growth manage­ment technique. Ms. Francisco observed that this approach by itself does not encourage people to use alternative transporta­tion.

 

Charles Murphy, a resident of 800 South Columbia Street for six­teen years, urged the Council not to widen South Columbia Street at this time. Mr. Murphy said he supported Resolution C, direct­ing that the South Columbia Street project be delayed for at least one year. Mr. Murphy stated that traffic problems on South Columbia Street revolve around sporting events and rush hours. Mr. Murphy observed that a number of long‑established residences would likely be destroyed by the proposed widening of South Co­lumbia Street. Mr. Murphy stated that the Merritt store is a convenient resource for neighborhood residents and the sole source of support for the owner. Mr. Murphy said he concurred with Mr. Frank Pendergraft's remarks in a letter to the Council. Mr. Murphy urged the Council to accommodate sidewalks, curb and gutter, and bicycle lanes along South Columbia Street.

 

Stephen Johnson, 400 Ransom Street, said that the availability of Department of Transportation funds, appeared, on its face, to offer an opportunity for the better diffusion of southbound traf­fic. Mr. Johnson said there was an opportunity cost in the lack of long‑term vision. Mr. Johnson stated that current population densities in the South Columbia Street area would definitely sup­port mass transportation. Mr. Johnson said that the Department of Transportation alternative, without bicycle lanes or pedestri­an access, appeared to be a State subsidy for those who could afford their own automobiles. Mr. Johnson concluded his remarks by expressing concern that widening South Columbia Street could create a north‑south divider in the Town, inhibiting pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

 

William Pearlman, a resident of 606 South Columbia Street for twenty years, said he had recently ridden up and down South Co­lumbia Street. Mr. Pearlman stated that Mr. Pendergraft's argu­ments in his letter to the Council were quite cogent. Mr. Pearlman said he heartily endorsed arguments not to widen South Columbia Street.

 

Kimberly Brewer, 305 Purefoy Road, urged the Council to make im­provements in the area of the 15‑501 overpass. Ms. Brewer ob­served that the proposed park and ride lot in the proximity of 15‑501 would serve as an effective relief valve in the near term. Ms. Brewer urged the Council to ensure that the Town's investment in the southern park and ride lot was not undermined. Ms. Brewer said she appreciated the Council's comprehensive view on the matter.

 

Ben Tuchi, Vice‑Chancellor of Business and Finance at the Univer­sity of North Carolina, said he recognized that there were no easy options before the Council. Mr. Tuchi said he was clarify­ing the University's position and role in the South Columbia Street alignment situation. Mr. Tuchi said the University urged the adoption of widening plans for South Columbia Street as out­lined by the Town Manager. Mr. Tuchi stated that Department of Transportation or University funds were not available for the installation of a shrub covered median. He observed that a medi­an would virtually eliminate tree buffers on the east side of South Columbia Street. Mr. Tuchi said to not build a facility such as South Columbia Street would be very selfish. Mr. Tuchi stated that the University is doing more than any other Universi­ty in the nation to explore alternative transportation modes in concert with the Town. Mr. Tuchi stated that South Columbia Street must be widened to maintain traffic flow in the area. He said that the Department of Transportation would be unlikely to wait if a delay were requested by the Town. Mr. Tuchi showed a map of the University's proposed south loop plan. Mr. Tuchi con­cluded his remarks by observing that the impact of intercollegiate athletics on the University's decision to support the widening of South Columbia Street was of marginal value.

 

Frank Pendergraft said he had been a Town resident since 1911. Mr. Pendergraft referred the Council to his remarks in an earlier letter to the Council. Mayor Howes acknowledged the receipt of Mr. Pendergraft's letter.

 

Joan Bartel said she was very concerned about the proposal to widen South Columbia Street. Ms. Bartel said she would feel cut‑off from participation in some parts of Town if the proposal were approved.

 

Eric Munson, 119 Black Oak Place, Chief Executive Officer of North Carolina Hospitals, stated that traffic congestion in the South Columbia Street area had continued to increase.

Mr. Munson observed that the UNC hospitals provide a level one trauma center, large premature infant center and other critical health services to the community. Mr. Munson expressed concern that access to the hospital would worsen over time. Mr. Munson stated that of the approximately three thousand Town residents hospitalized in the past year, over twenty‑one hundred were cared for at the North Carolina hospitals. Mr. Munson said that the hospital planned ?0 build several major facilities in the near future, including a neuro‑psychiatric hospital. Mr. Munson stat­ed that the proposed South Columbia Street project would direct traffic in the area more efficiently. Mr. Munson said he sup­ported Mr. Tuchi's earlier comments and added his hope that the Council would support the Town Manager's recommended plan. Mr. Munson observed that the hospital contributes approximately $750,000 into the Town's economy daily, but had no funds avail­able to assist with the South Columbia Street project. Mr. Munson concluded his remarks by expressing concern that if cur­rent traffic projections are borne out, current roadways will not accommodate the rapid arrival of ambulances at the hospital.

 

William Barney said he had lived and taught in Chapel Hill for fifteen years. Mr. Barney said he loved the beauty and ambiance of the University campus. Mr. Barney implored the Council to support Resolution C, requesting a one year delay in the South columbia Street design process.

 

Alec Kettle, 308 McCauley Street, said that University students familiar with the proposal to widen South Columbia Street did not favor such a plan. Mr. Kettle stated that the University campus offered a beautiful, idyllic setting. Mr. Kettle expressed hope that the Council would not pursue the South Columbia Street ex­pansion project.

 

B. B. Sparrow,, 100 Chase Avenue expressed grave concern that the proposed widening would result in the removal of all tree surrounding his home. Mr. Sparrow said his ancestry in the Town dated back over two hundred years. Mr. Sparrow stated his con­cern about what would happen to storm water in the South Columbia Street area, especially along Chase Avenue. Mr. Sparrow said recent flooding had caused water to enter his home. Mr. Sparrow also expressed concern about the potential pollution of Jordan Lake due to stormwater runoff.

 

Mayor Howes observed that the Council would consider final action on South Columbia Street alternatives at its Tuesday, January 23rd meeting.

 

Council Member Preston inquired what the cost would be to install a third center turning lane along South Columbia Street. Interim Town Manager Loewenthal responded that the staff could not devel­op this figure without doing extensive engineering investigation of the area. Council Member Andresen observed that the Depart­ment of Transportation had completed preliminary work on striped shoulder and four‑lane options.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HERZENBERG MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PRESTON, TO REFER TO THE TOWN MANAGER. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8‑0).

 

Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity

 

Mayor Howes requested that parties desiring to testify in this matter come forward to be sworn by the Clerk.

 

Interim Town Manager Loewenthal requested that agenda materials and attachments for this item be entered into the record of the hearing. Mayor Howes concurred.

 

Planning Director Roger Waldon noted that the fraternity property is located at 229 East Franklin Street, across from the Morehead Planetarium. Mr. Waldon stated that a modification to an exist­ing special use permit was being requested. Mr. Waldon reviewed the key issues surrounding t?e application, noting that the Coun­cil had the authority and flexibility to modify setbacks and oth­er regulations.

 

Mr. Waldon briefly reviewed a map of the site, pinpointing the location of buildings. Mr. Waldon noted that an old cottage on the site had considerable historic merit. Mr. Waldon noted that approval of the modifications was recommended, with several con­ditions of approval outlined in Resolution A, including the in­stallation of a brick sidewalk along the front portion of the property. Mr. Waldon added that nineteen parking spaces were recommended instead of the required thirty (one per resident).

 

Council Member Andresen noted that the number of parking spaces on the site was being increased from seventeen to nineteen. She inquired how many additional people could stay in the residence as a consequence of the proposed improvements. Mr. Waldon noted that the impact would be minimal, since only one hundred and eighty square feet of additional building space was proposed.

 

Roman Kolodij, project architect, noted that there were no stipu­lations in the special use permit pertaining to the number of residents as related to the number of parking spaces or square footage. Mr. Kolodij stated that the floor area had been divided by current building standards to arrive at the thirty residents living on the site. He reviewed the proposed site development, noting that repair to some of the buildings would be necessary.

 

Council Member Andresen expressed her concern about the parking of automobiles on the site. Mr. Kolodij noted that the develop­ment would increase the number of parking spaces, but would not increase the number of residents living in the cottages. Mr. Kolodij added that parking on the site is used mainly for person­al car storage rather than daily transportation. Council Member Andresen inquired whether the fraternity had any rules concerning the number of cars allowed in the parking lot. Mr. Kolodij re­sponded that a maximum of nineteen cars would be permitted.

 

Council Member Andresen inquired about the status of the guest cottage. Mr. Kolodij noted that a number of inquiries had been received about moving the house rather than demolishing it. Council Member Andresen suggested that efforts should be made to make people aware of the availability of the cottage. She in­quired whether the chimney would pose any problems when moved to another location. Mr. Kolodij responded that he had been person­ally involved in moving other structures, and did not foresee that the chimney would cause any problems.

 

Council Member Brown inquired how the house would be moved. Mr. Kolodij responded that cables would be placed around the cottage in order to hold it together. Council Member Brown noted that she had recently visited the site, adding that there are thirty students and just nineteen parking spaces. Council Member Brown asked where the other residents kept their cars. Mr. Kolodij said he was uncertain, adding that Mr. Workman might be able to respond to this question."

 

Council Member Herzenberg expressed his concern about the appear­ance of the southern portion of Pickard Lane, especially the ten­dency of some area residents to park in landscaped areas. Mr. Kolodij responded that curbing requirements associated with the site plan modification would reduce the likelihood of this behav­ior. Council Member Herzenberg' observed that the existing rock wall on the front of the property had been gradually subsiding.

 

Council Member Herzenberg inquired whether the fraternity would be interested in undertaking minor improvements to enhance the appearance of the wall. Mr. Kolodij said he was uncertain about the fraternity's stance on this matter.

 

Council Member Preston commended Mr. Kolodij and Lambda Chi Alpha for including the historic cottage in their site plan proposal. Council Member Preston also said she was glad that adjustments could be made to the site to accommodate the fraternity's pro­posed development.

 

Council Member Wallace similarly expressed pleasure that the project was being initiated. Council Member Wallace provided a brief oral history of the property, noting that the preservation of the property will be beneficial to the Town. Council Member wallace said he hoped that the Council would give its support to the fraternity's request.

 

Jimmy Workman, Treasurer of Lambda Chi Alpha building foundation, noted that he had personally lived in the historic cottage as an undergraduate during the 1970's. Mr. Workman outlined a history of building uses by the fraternity. Mr. Workman observed that the requested building setback would help to maintain a dignified site perspective. Mr. workman stated that parking on landscaped areas occurs rarely, while non‑fraternity members tend to park on sidewalks in the area.

 

Mr. Workman stated that efforts to obtain residential parking permits on Pickard Lane had failed, due to the difficulty of ad­ministering such a program. Mr. Workman said the fraternity took exception to the brick sidewalk requirement in front of the fra­ternity house, feeling that the cost of such an improvement would be an unnecessary burden. Mr. Workman said that the Town had recently provided sidewalks in the Fraternity Court area. Mr. workman stated that the fraternity had no objection to curb and guttering requirements along Pickard Lane.

 

Council Member Herzenberg inquired whether the fraternity was opposed to making improvements to the rock wall. Mr. Workman said he would rather spend money on preservation of the wall than on the sidewalk. Mr. Workman noted that an estimate made several years ago concluded that it would cost $5,000 to $8,000 to stabi­lize the stone wall. Council Member Herzenberg inquired whether the Lambda Chi Alpha had adopted a statement of non‑discrimination. Mr. Workman responded that such a statement had been adopted in 1973.

 

Planning Board chairperson Bruce Guild stated that the Planning Board voted 5‑2 at its December 5th meeting to approve the re­quested modifications. Mr. Guild noted that the two dissenters felt that the brick sidewalk requirement should be waived.

 

Mr. Waldon noted that the Historic District Commission and pre­liminary Town Manager's recommendation was to adopt Resolution A, approving the requested modifications.

 

Sally Miles, Property Chairperson of the Preservation Society, said she was delighted with the proposal and hoped that the Coun­cil would approve the request in the near future.

 

Council Member Preston observed that the third paragraph on page 3 of the staff memorandum inadvertently referred to Chapel Hill Historical Society instead of the Chapel Hill Preservation Socie­ty­

 

Council Member Herzenberg said he hoped the staff would consider rock wall stabilization on the site instead of requiring instal­lation of a brick sidewalk.

 

Mayor Howes requested the applicant's statement of acceptance of conditions of approval. Mr. Workman said he was not opposed to any stipulations or recommendations of the Town staff, with the exception of the proposed brick sidewalk requirement. Mr. Work­man noted that brick sidewalk requirement had been added at the Planning Board deliberations of the Lambda Chi Alpha application. Mr. Workman said the fraternity would be willing to install the sidewalks if foot traffic were being significantly increased by the proposed modification. Mr. Workman stated that since this ­was not the case, sidewalk requirements should not be an issue. Mr. Workman noted that the fraternity would be glad to include a condition to stabilize the brick wall in lieu of brick sidewalk installation.

 

Council Member Werner requested that the staff provide informa­tion about surrounding sidewalks in the Council's February 12th materials concerning the application.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER PRESTON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ANDRESEN, TO RECESS THE HEARING UNTIL FEBRUARY 12, 1990. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8‑0).

 

COUNCIL MEMBER PRESTON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ANDRESEN, TO REFER THE MATTER TO THE MANAGER AND ATTORNEY. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8‑0).

 

MasterKare Car Wash Special Use Permit

 

Mayor Howes requested that parties wishing to testify in this matter come forward to be sworn by the Clerk.

 

Mayor Howes observed that no applicant's representatives were in attendance at this evening's hearing. Mayor Howes inquired how the Council should proceed in light of this circumstance. Town Attorney Karpinos responded that the Council was under no obliga­tion to hear the application this evening. Mayor Howes asked whether there was any requirement for the applicant to be present at the hearing. Town Attorney Karpinos said no.

 

Mayor Howes said he did not condone the absence of the applicant, noting that it was clear that the Council expected applicants to be present at future hearings on their application. Council Member Werner suggested that the hearing not be conducted this evening, since it would probably be necessary to review the pro­posal with the applicant in the future. Council Member Wallace said it would be futile for the Council to design the applicant's project in the applicant's absence. Council Member Wilkerson noted that rescheduling the hearing to February or March would be personally acceptable.

 

Mayor Howes suggested that the application be carried over to the Council's February 19th hearing.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER PRESTON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ANDRESEN, TO DEFER THE HEARING TO FEBRUARY 19TH, DUE TO ABSENCE OF THE APPLICANT. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8‑0).

 

Council Member Werner requested that a better vicinity map be provided in the Council's February 19th agenda materials. Coun­cil Member Preston requested that the site's impervious surface percentage be calculated prior to the February hearing. Council Member Werner inquired about the water provider for the car wash.

 

Glenwood Exxon Modification

 

Mayor Howes requested that parties wishing to present evidence on the application come forward to be sworn by the Clerk. Interim Town Manager Loewenthal requested that agenda materials and their attachments be entered into the record of the hearing. Mayor Howes concurred.

 

Planning Director Roger Waldon noted that the site is located on N.C. 54 and has an existing special use permit, approved by the Council on February 13, 1989. Mr. Waldon stated that the appli­cation requests a modification to the existing special use per­mit. Mr. Waldon noted that the application was requesting the starting construction date to February 13, 1991, instead of Feb­ruary 13, 1990. Mr. Waldon noted that the applicant was unable to proceed with site improvements due to unforeseen external fac­tors.

 

Edward Holmes, the applicant's representative, stated that no changes had been made to the initially approved site plan. Mr. Holmes noted that the project was intended to start last summer, but matters related to environmental concerns at other company sites had necessitated delaying the project.

 

Council Member Andresen inquired whether there were any site problems with the Glenwood project. Mr. Holmes said no, noting that his client's project in Apex had been similarly delayed due to environmental concerns at other sites. Council Member Andresen inquired whether the applicant might come before the Council next year, requesting another extension. Mr. Holmes said he did not anticipate the need for another extension.

 

Planning Board chairperson Bruce Guild noted that the Planning Board had voted unanimously (9‑0) to recommend approval of the applicant's extension request. Council Member Wallace said he felt that the applicant's request was reasonable in light of un­controllable circumstances.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER WERNER MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HERZENBERG, TO RECESS THE PUBLIC HEARING UNTIL FEBRUARY 12TH. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8‑0).

 

COUNCIL MEMBER WERNER MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HERZENBERG, TO REFER THE MATTER TO THE MANAGER AND ATTORNEY. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8‑0).

 

Mayor Howes noted that several members of the Council would be attending Orange County's information session on the rural char­acter study on Thursday, January 19th at 7:30 p.m. at the Ameri­can Heart Association building.

 

The public hearing concluded at 10:14 p.m.