Town of Emerald Isle
Planning Board Meeting
Regular Meeting
Monday, August 23, 2004
Chairman Ceil Saunders called the meeting to order at
6:00pm. Members present were: Ceil Saunders, Jim Craig, Jerry Huml, Frank
Vance, Bob Smith, Robert Conrad and Eddie Barber. Also present were Kevin Reed,
Planning and Inspections Director and Kim Haut, Permit Technician/Administrative
Assistant.
A motion was made by Jim Craig
to approve the minutes of the July 26, 2004 Board meeting. The motion was
seconded by Eddie Barber and passed unanimously (6 to 0).
Kevin Reed advised the Board
members of the Town Board of Commissioner’s agenda items following its August
10, 2004 meeting. There was one item on the agenda for the Town Board to
consider that was presented by the Planning Board. The amendment to Section
19-225, Paragraph I of the Zoning Ordinance, which basically dictates the design
regulations for RV parks. Mr. Reed stated that the Planning Board recommended
an amendment that basically would allow a developer to have some flexibility in
choosing what type of dead-end street turn-around they had provided it met with
the satisfaction of the Town’s Fire Department. The Board did approve that
amendment.
Mr. Reed advised that for the
month of July the Planning and Inspections Department had issued a total of 10
permits for new homes and a total estimated value in excess of $3.1 million.
This brings the fiscal year total to over $3.1 million and the department has
collected approximately $23,400 in fees. Please note that the fiscal year runs
from July 1st through June 30th. Therefore the total
estimated value and fees for the year will reflect the same figures given for
the month of July.
Consider a request by Linda Ladd for commercial review
for the proposed Emerald Oasis Car Wash located on Crew Drive.
Mr. Reed presented the Board with the
proceeding request. The Oasis Car Wash had satisfied all Technical Review
requirements with the exception of obtaining the Division of Water Quality
permit. Mr. Reed informed the Board that this was in the works and this should
not be allowed to hold up the Planning Board’s approval. A motion was made by
Robert Conrad to recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the Oasis Car Wash
be approved. The motion was seconded by Frank Vance and passed unanimously (6 to
0).
Consider possible amendments
to the Zoning Ordinance in order to establish a Bogue Air Installation
Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ) Overlay District as part of the Eastern Carolina
Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) implementation process. The Planning Board
agreed to the creation of a Bogue Field Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ)
Overlay and the four (4) zoning techniques and land use restrictions Mr. Reed
presented. A motion was made by Frank Vance to recommend to the Board of
Commissioners that the amendment be approved. The motion was seconded by Eddie
Barber and passed unanimously (6 to 0).
Consider a possible amendment to Section 19-71 of the
Zoning Ordinance in order to regulate the exterior colors of new and existing
commercial structures. Mr. Reed presented the
Planning Board members with a color chart incorporating the color choices the
members had submitted since the last meeting. A motion was made by Jerry Huml to
recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the amendment be approved. The
motion was seconded by Jim Craig and passed unanimously (5 to 0 with one
abstention). Eddie Barber indicated he did not vote as he felt the Town of
Emerald Isle should not dictate what color business owners paint their buildings
and homeowners were free to do as they choose.
Consider the rezoning of certain properties from RMH to
R-2 as part of the 2004 Land Use Plan implementation process.
There was much discussion among the Planning
Board members in regards to the notification of property owners. The main
concern being that the public has a good understanding of exactly what the
rezoning means. Mr. Reed addressed each and every concern of the Planning Board
members. A motion was made by Eddie Barber to recommend to the Board of
Commissioners that the amendment be approved. The motion was seconded by Jim
Craig and passed unanimously (6 to 0).
Consider possible amendments to the Zoning Ordinance
pertaining to the regulation of off-premise signs (billboards).
The general consensus of the Planning Board
members was; some reasonable signage is needed by the merchants, but no new
billboards should be permitted. Mr. Reed stated this amendment does not change
the ability of a business in Emerald Isle to advertise on their property nor
does it restrict or change the size or number of signs they can have. It very
simply, just clarifies that the long standing interpretation is in fact more
clearly defined in the ordinance and that is;
that we don’t permit the construction of new
billboards. A billboard is basically
defined as a sign that is located on a piece of property other than where the
business is located. Chairman Ceil Saunders called for a vote. A motion was
made by Jim Craig to recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the amendment
be approved. The motion was seconded by Eddie Barber and passed unanimously (6
to 0).
Mr. Reed gave a report from the
Planning Board Subcommittee on possible amendments to Section 19, Article X,
Dunes of Vegetation Protection, of the Town Code. The members on the committee
are Ceil Saunders, Jerry Huml and Kevin Reed. The sub-committee are considering
for recommendation three changes. They are as follows: (1) Included in the
opening paragraph the intent to protect the property owner’s rights be addressed
– it seems to focus on the environmental rights as it stands (2) Return from
the 3 inch caliper to the 4 inch caliper for residential tree removal that had
been in place earlier (3) Violations for tree removal should be raised from
$500 per tree to $1000 per tree. Mr. Reed stated that everything should be in
place for the Planning Board to consider the actual amendment proposal at the
next Board meeting.
COMMENTS:
Chairman Ceil Saunders asked for any comments among the
Planning Board members. Mr. Jim Craig informed the members and audience of a
turtle hatching at nest “zero”. This nest was located at the point and there
were 129 baby turtles hatched. There have also been some “hatchings” at Nest #2
and Nest #3. Nest #1 is in to day 57 and there are hopes there will soon be
some “hatchings” taking place there. There have been 9 nests in total.
There being no further business
before the Board, a motion was made by Eddie Barber to adjourn. The motion was
seconded by Jim Craig and passed unanimously (6 to 0). Meeting was adjourned at
7:05pm.
Respectfully submitted by:
Kimberly Hubbard-Haut, Secretary
Town of Emerald Isle Planning
Board
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