“The whole thing got really ramped up,” VanFossen said.
He encouraged residents to “take responsibility for ourselves.”
Prior to the vote, the town attorney spoke about the different ways the council could address recreation devices on streets. In addition to not voting for any ordinance, two options were given.
The stricter option could have fined locals who did not obey a ban on the use and placement of recreation devices on the street and in the right of way. The other option presented could have used the town’s zoning power and required that recreational devices be stored close to houses or accessory structures.
The topic of liability arose. And, town Public Works Department trucks being impeded by recreation devices, such as basketball goals, left on the street, also was mentioned. Four residents addressed the council about the ordinance during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Transit plan and possible tax discussed
Wake County Manager David Cooke and Triangle Transit General Manager David King addressed the council regarding a transit plan that is being developed by Wake County, Triangle Transit and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Efforts on the plan “may ultimately lead to a referendum before the citizens of Wake County,” Cooke said, allowing county citizens to vote on a half-cent sales tax to support a combination of bus and rail transit.
A staff document said Cooke and King will come before the town council again this winter to request that Holly Springs sign an interlocal agreement supporting the tax for transit referendum.
In addition to the sales tax increase, if the referendum supports it, the state General Assembly authorized the county the option to increase its vehicle registration fee from $5 to $8 and to increase the vehicle registration fee up to $7.
The referendum is targeted for fall 2011, a staff document said.
Cooke said the county estimates another 600,000 people will move to the county within the next 25 years.
“I think the question is where are they going to live, where are they going to work and how are they going to get around,” Cooke said.
Other business
In a 3-2 vote, the council adopted an ordinance rezoning 21 acres of property located along the G.B. Alford Hwy. and Old Adams Rd. from local business to residential multi-family use, which allows up to 15 dwelling units per acre.
Two residents spoke about the property. One voiced concerns about water being affected by the development; another said she was against apartments because of the amount of people and traffic apartments would bring to the area, which is near single-family homes, each on about an acre of land.
VanFossen and Councilwoman Linda Hunt Williams voted against the motion.
Also at the meeting, the council adopted an ordinance modifying multiple sections of the UDO, including clarifying staff’s police power; clarifying the intent of establishing a non-conforming lot, use, building, structure or sign; adding a requirement to construct a gateway feature for residential and industrial projects; and more.
The council forwarded a proposed development amendment to the Planning Board. The amendment, for Twelve Oaks, would allow reduced rear setbacks in one section of the development.
The council awarded a $500 grant to the African American Cultural Festival as part of the town’s grant program. Other grants will be awarded later this year. Since the grant program began in the 2003-2004 fiscal year, the town has provided more than $350,000 in support to local agencies and groups, a town document said.
Staff updated the council on the town’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II program, which manages and monitors storm water runoff. A resident spoke in support of the program and praised the program’s work that already has been done.
As part of its consent agenda, the council approved $411,270 for Holly Ridge Middle School recreational facility improvements, pursuant to an existing joint use agreement; $40,100 toward the repair of the Ballenridge Outfall; $19,755 to accept insurance proceeds for police equipment damaged by lightning; and $17,100 to accept insurance proceeds for a damaged parks and recreation vehicle.
The council also accepted a $2,500 donation from Progress Energy to the Holly Springs Public Affairs and Communications Department for the Holly Springs High School Hawks TV program, as well as a $600 donation from12 Oaks & Curves of Holly Springs for the Independence Day fireworks display.
The council also appointed Jeff Jones, senior planner, as the town’s representative on the Triangle J Council of Governments Smart Growth Committee and adopted amendments to the Development Procedures Manual to clarify requirements of the concept plan review meeting and variance of development standards, as well as to add the section for environmental appeals and variances.
Members were appointed to a county growth task force: Cobb and Councilman Tim Sack are regular members; Williams is an alternate member.
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