J.H. Daniels presented the latest draft of the county zoning ordinance to the Vance County Board of Commissioners on behalf of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee at Monday evening’s meeting.
Along with the draft copy, Daniels made several remarks to the board.
“I appreciate, I guess, the honor of being a part of this process,” Daniels began faceiously. He said he was reminded of something that his father had told him: “Don’t volunteer.”
Daniels went on to say that the committee would reserve judgment on the ordinance until there was a final draft, since they understood that the ordinance would be back to the Vance County Planning Board before it returned to the Vance County Board of Commissioners.
“We have no idea what it’s going to look like,” Daniels said.
Daniels stated that the committee appreciated being involved in the process by the board of commissioners.
Daniels then said on a personal note that he came to the process as a zoning proponent who believed that orderly growth would be preferable to what had occurred in the past. He said that he held that view for a while.
Daniels went on to say that after reviewing the zoning document, even with suggested changes, that he no longer holds the view he held at the beginning of the process.
“I don’t believe this ordinance will do what you want it to do,” Daniels told commissioners. “I think it will do a lot of things you don’t want it to do.”
He went on to say that he believed that it would substantially raise the cost of affordable housing in Vance County. Daniels claimed a developer told him that the ordinance would add $10,000 to $20,000 to the cost of affordable housing in Vance County.
Daniels suggested that the commission go back to the ten year-old land use plan and develop an up-to-date plan. He also suggested that the county begin a new zoning ordinance that fully involves long-time residents who are property owners with the most at stake. He suggested that zoning focus on the size of lots, appropriate protection of watersheds, and appropriate density of development. He also advised the board to revise the abandoned vehicle ordinance in the county to make it more enforceable and to budget money for the removal of unwanted abandoned vehicles.
“An ordinance can’t be workable without any money in the budget,” Daniels stated.
Daniels suggested that in the interim a salvage yard ordinance and an adult establishment ordinance be enacted to protect the county.
Daniels stated that he believed that everyone involved in the process was well-intentioned. He also said that the lateness of the digital mapping of the county frustrated the process.
After Daniels spoke, Planning and Development Director Ken Krulik addressed commissioners, stating that the copy of the draft that they had received was inclusive of changes of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee and the Planning Board. He also said that a copy would appear on the county website.
County Commissioner Deborah Brown said that she planned to go through the draft like she did the first time. She thanked Krulik and the committee, acknowledging that they did not have an easy task.
County Commissioner Tommy Hester outlined the next steps in the process for the audience, stating that the draft would go to the Planning Board. He said that he would like to see a joint meeting between the Planning Board and the Citizen’s Advisory Committee. He said that two public hearings would have to be held before a vote on the ordinance could be taken.
County Commissioner Danny Wright said that he was still in support of putting the matter on a ballot for a referendum.
The cost of a stand-alone referendum is $15,000, according to the county manager. Including the matter on a ballot during a regular election is a nominal cost.
When County Commissioner Wilbur Boyd solicited County Manager Jerry Ayscue’s opinion, Ayscue commented that it was appropriate for the Citizens’ Advisory Committee and the Planning Board to meet. He said that the commissioners may want to have community meetings and input sessions before any public hearings. He also said that the board’s Planning Committee could be of value as well.
It was decided that Krulik would try to have a final draft of the document back before the board by the August 14 meeting.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, several Vance County residents spoke against the zoning ordinance.
Resident Martha Ryan told commissioners that she had “strong reservations” about zoning. She asked commissioners how it was determined that Vance residents want zoning. She said that no one knows about zoning. She said she was concerned about the document, and that it seemed as if it would cause more grief than good to people.
Ryan told commissioners that she felt zoning was “social engineering”. She stated that people should not be told what to do with their land.
She ended her comments by asking “what we have to do not to get it”.
Next to speak was resident Marie Smith. She told the board that she would like to see zoning go on a ballot. She said zoning would restrict was was coming into the county.
Smith suggested amusement parks and water parks as a solution to Vance’s lack of industry. She also advocated a need for adult day care.
She ended her remarks by telling the board that “zoning means bigger government”.
Third and last to speak against zoning was Rusty McMahon. His remarks may be heard here.