01-13-1991 Continued Meeting
CONTINUED MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
HELD THE TiiIRTIETH DAY OF JANUARY IN THE YEAR NINETEEN HUNDRED
NINETY ONE -
PRESENT: Henry H. Bradby, Chairman.
Joel C. Bradshaw, Jr., Vice Chairman
Steven-W. Edwards
Thomas L. Ross
Richard L. Turner
Also Attending: H. Woodrow Crook, Jr., County Attorney
Myles E. Standish, County Administrator.
W. Douglas Casket', Assistant County
Administrator/Community Development'
Carey H. Mills, Assistant-Clerk
Chairman Bradby called the meeting to order at ?:00 P.M. The
invocation was delivered by supervisor Edwards.'
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Chairman Bradby called for a public hearing on the following:. --
Resolution to Exempt Covenant Place, Inc. from Property
Taxation
Chairman Bradby called for citizens to speak in favor.
Mayor Chapman of Smithfield appeared stating he was in favor
of the tax exemption for .Covenant Place, Inc.
Chairman Bradby called for citizens to speak in opposition..
No one appeared.
Chairman Bradby called for comments from the Board.
Supervisor Ross stated he was not in favor of supporting the
tax exemption for Covenant Place, Inc. and urged the Board to look
at the matter closer before taking action.
Supervisor Turner stated that although the request had merit,
if a tax exemption was granted this time, where would the. process
stop in the future.
County Administrator Standish advised the Board that the
Federal Government requires the applicant to ask for a tax exempt
status; however, if a tax exempt status is not achieved,. this does
not mean the project cannot proceed.
County Attorney Crook advised that Covenant Place, Inc, was
offering an agreement to pay half of the amount .of taxes in lieu
of paying taxes in return for the tax exempt status. Mr. Crook
advised, however, that the County may have trouble enforcing the
agreement and he needed to research the matter. ,
County Administrator Standish stated that in the agenda was
a draft agreement from Covenant Place, Inc.'s attorney indicating
that the owner of the public housing project is willing to enter
into an agreement with the local government with payment being
submitted to the community to offset service costs.
Supervisor Turner asked if the tax exemption request was
approved the Smithfield.Town Council.
Mayor Chapman replied no.
Supervisor Edwards asked what was the criteria for Covenant
Place, Inc.
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Mayor .Chapman. stated it was for senior citizens and
handicapped persons.
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Chairman Bradby suggested. tabling the request until .the
February 7, 1991 meeting.
County .Administrator Standish advised that the Board needed
to take action before Monday to allow. staff to get the resolution
to the General Assembly in Richmond.
Supervisor Turner moved the Board not approve the resolution
and that it not be sent to the General. Assembly. Thee motion passed
(3-2) with all members voting in favor except Chairman Bradby and
Supervisor Edwards-who voted against the motion.
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Chairman Bradby called for the meeting to commence between the
Smithfield Town Council. and the Isle of Wight County Board of
Supervisors.
Mayor Chapman of Smithfield stated that both the Comprehensive
Plan of the Town of Smithfield and the draft Plan of the County of
Isle of Wight document that the Town of Smithfield was provided
indicate that the area around the Town of Smithfield has been one
the primary commercial development 'and population concentrations
of the County of Isle of Wight. Mayor Chapman further stated that
the proposed Plan stated that the majority of the County's
commercial development is concentrated in and around the Towns of
Smithfield and Windsor and, as a result, should serve as the focal
point from which a comprehensive approach to development and growth
in the County could be made. Mayor Chapman continued that the
draft Plan proposed to alter the natural progression of well-
planned growth centers like Smithfield by establishing a
"greenbelt" and a Neighborhood Preservation District and that from
the outset, the '!greenbelt" concept was considered and rejected by
the Isle of Wight County Planning Commission, the Isle of Wight
County Comprehensive Plan Citizens' Advisory Committee and the
Smithfield Town Council. Mayor Chapman stated that the Smithfield
Town Council requested this meeting in order to reinforce the idea
that growth in Isle of Wight County should continue. to be a natural
extension of growth in and around its Towns and that the County's
proposed combination of the Northeast Development Service District,
the adjoining "greenbelt", and .the Neighborhood Preservation
District is not in the best interests of the Town or County for. the
following. reasons: (1) economics.; because a Neighborhood
Preservation District .would. hinder "or even stop the momentum of
development occurring in and around Smithfield's fringes, (2)
infrastructure; because the "greenbelt"..proposed by the Northeast
Development Service District, and the proposed Neighborhood
Preservation bistrict would isolate an entire prime development
corridor- by preventing further extension of existing public
utilities into the "greenbelt" area and would shut off development
in that area and (3) Historic preservation; .because the Town of
Smithfield does not need a "greenbelt" or Neighborhood Preservation
District to protect the historic character of the central core of
Smithfield and a Neighborhood Preservation District would not
afford any additional protection to Smithfield's Historic District.
Mayor Chapman stated the Town of Smithfield does not oppose the
concept of the Northeast Development Service District as proposed
on page 2-9 of the County's Plan; however, the Town of Smithfield
does oppose the termination of the district's edge short of .the
Town in order to create a "greenbelt". Mayor Chapman stated that
the Town of Smithfield urges the Board of Supervisors to delete the
second paragraph of the- Northeast Development Service District
language and to reject the adoption of a Neighborhood Preservation
District known as Plan "C".
Councilwoman Florene Moore asked what were the benefits of a
"green belt" for the Town and County.
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Councilman Henry Hern stated he did not believe there were any
benefits.
Supervisor Turner stated he did not know where the word
"annexation" came from and that consideration on the side of Route
10 should be given which could be a high pressure area with time
and he yrould like to see the line. extended to consider .this as a
potential area.. We don't want to see "annexation"; however, we
need to know where we are now and how to get where we want to get
he stated. Supervisor Turner further stated he would like to
submit a proposal that both the Town and County consider the area...
around the Town which he believes is one of the most important
areas in Isle of Wight County and that-the area should not be a
"green belt" and restrict, but be a unit in itself. Supervisor
Turner proposed that the area be called a Development Management
District and that as this district is established, ordinances be
prepared. Supervisor Turner stated it should come up the Route 10
area although he did not have a problem with it going up Route 10
and continuing into Surry County and that it could at least go as
far as Windsor with the control of that district being a joint
effort between the Town and County. Supervisor Turner stated the
ordinances will be the same as the rest of the County and must
accomplish the needs of both the Town and the County. Then. you map
the course that will entail that area being developed he said.
Supervisor Turner continued that within this area the designation
may change in time and it may be made after informal discussions
with the Town.
Councilman Henry Hern stated he wanted to see the.County and
Town Planning Commissions work together.
Councilwoman Florene Moore stated it would still have to come
under someone's regulations.
Supervisor Turner .stated development of .the ordinances would
be established by both the Town and County .and the Town of
Smithfield would also. have some .input as to how it is accomplished.
Councilwoman Florene Moore asked if there would be special
ordinances for this .area.
Supervisor Turner stated that all concerns would be addressed.
Both the Town and County would have input and it would have to be
passed by the County.
Mayor Chapman stated he liked the Smithfield Town Council .and
Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors working together and that
they should work together in addressing this and future concerns. -
Supervisor Ross asked if he correctly understood that the Town
and County would work together on the development ~of the ordinances
and, if so, would the County have final say.
Supervisor Turner stated the County's ordinances-are the
County's and if part. of this .area does become part of tthe
"annexation" area, it should be planned. As it is developed, the
Town and County Planners can work this out and input can be
received from both the Town and County.
Councilman William Watkins asked if the Smithfield .Town
Council and Board of Supervisors would have equal say..
Supervisor Turner stated this can be worked out. You have two
Boards that can come back with the ordinances that will .govern this
area. It will be a cooperative effort of both bodies which is in
the. best. interest of both.
Supervisor Ross asked how this compared with the Neighborhood
Preservation District proposal.
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Supervisor Turner stated this is a Neighborhood Preservation
District and includes both commercial and individual development
and is an area that growth should not be restricted.....
Councilwoman Florene Moore stated if both bodies met together
and came out with a plan and the Board of Supervisors approved it,
would. this mean. the Town would have any input.
Supervisor~Turner stated it would have to have the support of
both councils to work.
Councilman Thomas Caldwell stated the Plan was not etched in
stone, but is-only a guideline.
Councilman Dr. Wilson Ames stated this is not a unique area
and that the Plan can be changed and varied as needed.
Supervisor Turner stated we do not have all the .answers at
this point, but we should all pull together to try to solve the
unanswered questions. Super~~f.i_7or Turner further. stated that the
County needed to move along c~ith the Plan so that the County can
get the planning in order and this would allow the County time to
fine tune the Plan. It can be a unique area in the future he said.
Supervisor Edwards stated he felt it was important to do these
things in the correct order and continued if a strategic plan is
developed, it needs to be done as it is developed with the
understanding that we will work-out the details when we vote on.
this.
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Supervisor Turner stated the Board needed to decide if this
area goes. all the way around Smithfield and that he thought it
should go at least that far. Once this. is decided, then you adopt
the Plan 'he said.
Councilman Dr. Wilson Ames stated he supported County Attorney
Crook's plan because it allows the opportunity to grow around the
Town. It may not grow in one direction, but.. give it the
opportunity to grow .all around. he said.
Chairman Bradby stated he was glad to see everyone come
together and if there is something that is not suitable to the Town.
or County, then we can come back and work it out. All we have to
do is work together.,
Councilman Thomas Caldwell stated the Town's Planning
Commission has discussed getting with the County's Planning
Commission.
Supervisor Ross stated the Board could not put off voting on
the Plan much longer and that the County needs to g.o ahead and
adopt the Plan.
Rodham T. De1k, Jr., Attorney, stated the Town is concerned
about other language in the Plan, specifically-the Neighborhood
Preservation District., There is a provision on page 2-9 which
deals with the. northeast Development Service District and which.
encourages growth through the extension of utilities. The Town
requests that the Board delete that paragraph and that the
Development Service District is to terminate before it reaches.
Smithfield. Mr. Delk urged the Board to delete the second
paragraph of the northeast Development Service District and then
the proposal of Supervisor Turner would be considered.. Mr. Delk
stated only one area has been addressed tonight.
County Administrator Standish replied that this language was
in the original draft of the Plan which the. Planning Commission
had previously addressed and the language may no longer be in the
Plan.
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Chairman~Bradby stated the two bodies needed to work together
and that he has never seen an area-that could not be worked out if
done together. This is very important that we work together he
said. We like to see these kinds of meetings and we need to come
together .from time to time he stated. Chairman Bradby stated he
believes the 'Planning Commission will come forward with an
agreeable solution.
Supervisor Turner asked County Attorney Crook if. this idea
should be advertised.
County Attorney Crook stated it will have to be formulated in
detail and that there were a lot of points to consider. County
Attorney Crook further stated that he did not know the .intentions
of the district as proposed or the Town's. intention as to how it
would be implemented. County Attorney Crook stated he did not know
what was intended at this point other than to have such a district.
Supervisor Turner stated there would be a district established
for this area and the County can then direct the Town and County
to work on this. We don't have all the answers tonight, but we can
put together the area we are talking about.
Supervisor Edwards stated he did not- advise voting. on the Plan
before it was set up and .that the County had been without a Plan
for this long. Supervisor Edwards further stated the County needed
to have an agreement on it and he. did not favor voting on it at the
February 7, 1991 meeting of the Board. of Supervisors without the
details being worked out prior to the meeting..,
County Administrator Standish- reminded the Board of
Supervisors. that they had tabled the Plan to the February 7, 1991
meeting of the Board..
Supervisor Turner suggested that staff be directed to present
to the Board of Supervisors at the February 7, 1991 meeting a new
map outlining what is proposed tonight so that itcan be advertised
-for a public hearing. In the meantime, more details can be worked
out as to the implementation of it he .said. At the public hearing
everyone will then have input he said..
Supervisor Turner moved that staff be directed to take into
consideration what was discussed tonight and bring before the Berard
at the February 7, 1991 meeting a map and other appropriate
information that goes with it to be advertised for a public
hearing. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
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Chairman Bradby called for New Business.
Supervisor Turner requested the County Administrator write a
letter to the .Resident Engineer of the Virginia Department of
Transportation requesting an immediate study and evaluation of the
speed limit and traffic controls on Route 10 adjacent to the.
Smithfield Plaza Shopping Center. The motion passed by unanimous
vote (5-0).
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Chairman Bradby called for Old Business.
Supervisor Edwards asked County Administrator Standish if he
had heard .anything about the rocks at the dumpster site on Route
258.
W. Douglas Casket', Assistant County Administrator/Community
Development replied he had spoken with the Resident Engineer today
and the situation was under review.
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At 8:01 P.M. Supervisor Ross moved. the Board adjourn. The
motion passed unanimously (5-0).
/ henry H.~Bradby, Chairman
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Myles E Standish, Clerk
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