10-04-2021 Agenda Packet BOCPERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MEETING AGENDA
304 South Morgan Street, Room 215
Roxboro, NC 27573-5245
336-597-1720
Fax 336-599-1609
October 4, 2021
7:00pm
CALL TO ORDER………………………………………………….. Chairman Powell
INVOCATION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA
PUBLIC HEARING:
ITEM #1 (pgs. 4-5)
Consideration to add Whispering Wolf Way, a private roadway,
to the database of roadway names used for E-911 dispatching ………. Sallie Vaughn
ITEM #2
Consideration to add Whispering Wolf Way to the database
of roadway names used for E-911 dispatching …………………….. Chairman Powell
PUBLIC HEARING:
ITEM #3 (pgs. 6-26)
Petition SUP-04-21, a request by the applicant, Vertical Bridge
Development, LLC (Doug Barker) on behalf of the property owner,
Randy W. Jones, to construct a new 300’ tall self-supported wireless
communications tower on 25.59 acres located at 2025 Guess Rd
(Tax Map and Parcel number A43-176) in the R (Residential)
Zoning District ……………………………………………………………… Lori Oakley
ITEM #4
Consideration to grant or deny Petition SUP-04-21, a request
by the applicant, Vertical Bridge Development, LLC (Doug Barker)
on behalf of the property owner, Randy W. Jones, to construct a
new 300’ tall self-supported wireless communications tower on
25.59 acres located at 2025 Guess Rd (Tax Map and Parcel number
A43-176) in the R (Residential) Zoning District ……………………. Chairman Powell
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INFORMAL COMMENTS
The Person County Board of Commissioners established a 10-minute segment
which is open for informal comments and/or questions from citizens of this
county on issues, other than those issues for which a public hearing has been
scheduled. The time will be divided equally among those wishing to comment.
It is requested that any person who wishes to address the Board, register with
the Clerk to the Board prior to the meeting.
ITEM #5
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA A.Approval of Minutes of September 7, 2021 (pgs. 27-62),
B.Approval of Minutes of September 20, 2021 (pgs. 63-86),C.Budget Amendment #6 Carryforwards2 (pg. 87), andD.Budget Amendment #7 (pg. 88)
OLD BUSINESS:
ITEM #6 (pgs. 89-91)
Second Reading for an Updated Ordinance Regulating
Possession or Consumption of Malt Beverages or Unfortified
Wine on County Property …………………………………………………..... John Hill
ITEM #7 (pgs. 92-93)
Authorizing Resolution for Special Event Location ………………………... John Hill
NEW BUSINESS:
ITEM #8 (pgs. 94-97)
Stormwater IAIA Project Update ………………………….. Lori Oakley & John Hill
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
MANAGER’S REPORT
COMMISSIONER REPORTS/COMMENTS
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion to enter into Closed Session per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(4) for the
purpose of discussion of matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or
other businesses in the county (economic development) with the following individuals
permitted to attend: County Manager, Heidi York, Clerk to the Board, Brenda
Reaves, Economic Development Director, Sherry Wilborn, and County Attorney, TC
Morphis, Jr.
Note: All Items on the Agenda are for Discussion and Action as deemed appropriate
by the Board.
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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Person County Board of Commissioners’ regular
scheduled meeting on October 4, 2021 at 7:00pm, will be conducted in-person as well as
remotely, as allowed by the Board’s Rules of Procedure during a Governor’s State of Emergency;
in this case Executive Order for COVID-19.
The meeting will include public comments in-person and/or via Zoom; anyone interested in
addressing the Board may appear in-person in Room 215 of the Person County Office Building
located at 304. S. Morgan Street, Roxboro. To speak remotely, contact the Clerk to the Board by
noon on October 4, 2021 at 336-583-0835 and provide your name, address, phone number and
email to receive the remote access link information.
In lieu of providing public comments in-person or via remote access, written comments will be
accepted at comments@personcountync.gov; this written comments inbox will collect comments
until noon on October 4, 2021, at which time, the public comments email will be deactivated.
As usual practice, the meeting is streamed live via the Live Meeting link on the Commissioners’
web page at www.personcountync.gov.
Face coverings are required in all county facilities. Sanitizer stations will also be available at the
entrances.
Brenda B. Reaves, NCMCC, MMC
Clerk to the Person County Board of Commissioners
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The Person County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Monday,
October 4, 2021 at 7:00pm in the Commissioners’ Boardroom 215 of the Person County
Office Building at 304 S Morgan St, Roxboro, North Carolina to hear the following:
Request by the Person County Address Coordinator to add Whispering Wolf Way to the
database of roadway names used for E‐911 dispatching. The proposed private roadway will
be located to the east of High Plains Rd near the intersection with Mayo Lake Rd in Holloway
Township. Article IV, Section 402 H of the Ordinance Regulating Addressing and Road Naming
in Person County requires any private roadway serving three or more homes to be officially
named.
Citizens will have an opportunity to speak regarding the above request.
Specific information about the request can be obtained from the Person County GIS
Department, 325 S Morgan St, Suite D.
Sallie Vaughn, GIS Manager
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AGENDA ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 4, 2021
Agenda Title: Public Hearing to add Whispering Wolf Way, a private roadway, to the database
of roadway names used for E-911 dispatching
Summary Information: There are two residences currently, and an additional residence is
being planned along a private driveway, which necessitates the naming of the driveway (see map
below).
Background Information: Two private
residences (2622 and 2630 High Plains Rd) are
currently located on a private driveway off
High Plains Rd. A third private residence is
being added to this driveway. In accordance
with Article IV, Section 402 H of the
“Ordinance Regulating Addressing and Road
Naming in Person County,” the driveway must
be named. The addition of this road will require
occupants of the existing residences to change
their addresses to reflect the new roadway
name.
North Carolina General Statute 153A-239.1(A)
requires a public hearing be held on the matter
and public notice be provided at least 10 days
prior in the newspaper. The required public
notice was published in the September 23, 2021
edition of the Roxboro Courier-Times. A sign advertising the public hearing was placed at the
proposed roadway location on the same date.
All three properties adjacent to the proposed road have the same ownership. Those parties provided
the suggested name, Whispering Wolf Way, which is compliant with all naming regulations in the
Ordinance.
Recommended Action: Motion to approve the recommended roadway name
Submitted By: Sallie Vaughn, GIS Manager
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Person County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Monday, October 4, 2021 at
7:00 p.m. in Room 215 of the Person County Office Building at 304 South Morgan Street, Roxboro, North
Carolina, to hear the following:
Petition SUP-04-21 - A request by the applicant, Vertical Bridge Development, LLC (Doug Barker)
on behalf of the property owner, Randy W. Jones, to construct a new 300’ tall self-supported
wireless communications tower on 25.59 acres located at 2025 Guess Rd (Tax Map and Parcel
number A43-176) in the R (Residential) Zoning District.
The public is invited to attend the meeting. Substantial changes may occur to the request based on comments
from the public hearing. The Board of Commissioners reserves the right to recess the public hearing at
another place and time. For further information on the case(s) listed above, please contact the Person County
Planning and Zoning Department at (336) 597-1750.
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AGENDA ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 4, 2021
Agenda Title: Petition SUP-04-21, a request by the applicant, Vertical Bridge Development, LLC (Doug
Barker) on behalf of the property owner, Randy W. Jones, to construct a new 300’ tall self-supported
wireless communications tower on 25.59 acres located at 2025 Guess Rd (Tax Map and Parcel number
A43-176) in the R (Residential) Zoning District.
Quasi-Judicial Zoning Decision: The special use permit requires a quasi-judicial public hearing. Witnesses
are to be sworn in and they are subject to cross-examination. There shall be no ex parte communication
without full disclosure at the hearing. The case also requires the review of four Findings of Fact from
Section 155 of the Planning Ordinance.
Summary of Information:
The applicant is requesting to construct a wireless communication tower 300’ tall, on property zoned R
(Residential) that is within the Falls Lake Stormwater area.
The proposed wireless communications tower will be triangular, self-supporting, and sits within a 70’ x 70’
area enclosed by a 6’ high chain link fence. The entire leased area is 100’ x 100’ and will be accessed from
Guess Rd. by a 12’ wide gravel road paralleling a 30’ wide utility easement. The enclosed 70’ x 70’ area
will house the tower base as well as equipment areas for future carriers. Verizon is listed as a tenant.
A reduction in setback to one-half of the required height is allowed per the Person County Planning and
Zoning Ordinance, Note 9, if the applicant provides a letter from an engineer certifying that the fall zone is
to be less than the height of the tower.
The Person County Land Use Plan identifies the site as Suburban Residential, which allows for residential
uses including subdivisions and manufactured home parks at densities of 1-3 dwelling units per acre;
commercial, office, industrial, public/institutional uses meeting locational criteria. Locational criteria for
non-residential uses within this land use category would include frontage and access to a major State
highway or secondary road, proximity to similar uses and spatial separation from non-compatible uses such
as existing residential development. Land uses within this category could develop with or without public
sewer.
Appendix O of the Land Use Plan lists goals and objectives for the county including the following:
1.0 Goal: Promote an orderly and efficient land use development pattern, which allows for a variety
of land uses while being sensitive to environmental concerns.
2.0 Goal: Provide a strong local planning environment that supports and enhances the economic
growth potential of Person County.
Planning Staff Summary: Planning staff recommends that if the Board approves the request, the following
condition be placed on the Special Use Permit:
1.The applicant is to obtain all permits necessary from the Person County Departments of
Environmental Health, Planning and Zoning, and Building Inspections, and any applicable
state permits.
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The Planning Board no longer reviews special use permits.
Recommended Action: Vote to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the requested Special Use
Permit.
The Board will need to address the Findings of Fact in Section 155 of the Person County Planning
Ordinance and whether this proposal is in keeping with the Person County Land Use Plan. The Findings of
Fact in Section 155-3 (b) are as follows:
1. That the use will not materially endanger the public health or safety if located where proposed and
developed according to the plan as submitted and approved.
2. That the use meets all required conditions and specifications.
3. That the use will not substantially injure the value of adjoining or abutting property, or that the use
is a public necessity, and
4. That the location and character of the use if developed according to the plan as submitted and
approved will be in harmony with the area in which it is to be located and in general conformity
with the comprehensive plan.
Submitted by: Lori Oakley, Planning Director
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SUP-04-21
Staff Analysis
Board of Commissioners October 4, 2021
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Special Use Permit SUP-04-21
Vertical Bridge Development, LLC
Wireless Communication Tower
EXPLANATION OF REQUEST
Petition SUP-04-21 - A request by the applicant, Vertical Bridge Development, LLC (Doug Barker) on behalf of the
property owner, Randy W. Jones, to construct a new 300’ tall self-supported wireless communications tower on 25.59
acres located at 2025 Guess Rd (Tax Map and Parcel number A43-176) in the R (Residential) Zoning District.
LOCATION AND CURRENT LAND USE
This tract is located at 2025 Guess Rd in Timberlake, NC and is zoned R (Residential). It is within the Neuse
Watershed and Falls Lake Stormwater Area, and is mostly wooded. A CP&L power line easement crosses the
property on the southeast corner.
Condition and land use of the surrounding properties are:
To the North – Vacant, mixture of pasture and woodlands.
To the East – Vacant, a mixture of pasture and woodlands, traversed by a CP&L power line easement.
To the South – Mainly pasture, traversed by a power line easement and two single-family dwellings.
To the West – Bordered by Guess Rd., properties are mainly woodlands.
All bordering properties are zoned R (Residential).
LAND USE / SITE PLAN
The property is zoned R (Residential), and the Person County Permitted Use Table lists a Radio, Telephone and
TV Transmitting Tower as an allowed use within the R (Residential) zoning district with a Special Use Permit.
The proposed wireless communications tower will be triangular, self-supporting, and sits within a 70’ x 70’ area
enclosed by a 6’ high chain link fence. The entire leased area is 100’ x 100’ and will be accessed from Guess Rd
by a 12’ wide gravel road paralleling a 30’ wide utility easement.
The enclosed 70’ x 70’ area will house the tower base as well as equipment areas for future carriers. Verizon is
listed as the tenant.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Person County Land Use Plan identifies the proposed tracts as Suburban Residential. Suburban Residential is
defined as:
Residential land uses including subdivisions and manufactured home parks at densities of 1-3 dwelling units per acre;
commercial, office, industrial, public/institutional uses meeting locational criteria. Locational criteria for non-
residential uses within this land use category would include frontage and access to a major State highway or secondary
road, proximity to similar uses and spatial separation from non-compatible uses such as existing residential
development. Land uses within this category could develop with or without public sewer.
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SUP-04-21
Staff Analysis
Board of Commissioners October 4, 2021
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Appendix O of the Person County Land Use Plan lists goals and objectives for the County including the following
relevant statements:
Goal 1.0 – Promote an orderly and efficient land use development pattern, which allows for a variety of land
uses while being sensitive to environmental concerns.
Goal 2.0 – Provide a strong local planning environment that supports and enhances the economic growth
potential of Person County.
PLANNING STAFF ANALYSIS
The parcel is zoned R (Residential) and a wireless communications tower is an allowed use in this zoning district
after obtaining a Special Use Permit from the Board of County Commissioners.
A reduction in setback to at least one-half the height of the tower is allowed due to the tower being self-supported. A
certified fall zone letter is required and is on file.
PLANNING STAFF SUMMARY
The proposed site plan meets the requirements of the Person County Planning and Zoning Ordinance regarding Radio,
Telephone and Transmitting Towers, specifically Appendix C, Note 9.
The applicant has stated that the proposed tower has gained approval from the Federal Communications Commission
and that the “construction and placement of the tower will not interfere with public safety communications or with
the usual and customary transmission or reception of radio, television or other communications services”.
Planning staff recommends that if the Board approves the request, the following conditions be placed on the Special
Use Permit:
1. The applicant is to obtain all necessary permits for the wireless communications tower project and adhere to
all requirements listed in the Person County Planning and Zoning Ordinance.
In approving an application for a special use permit, the Board of Commissioners may attach fair and reasonable
conditions to the approval. The petitioner will have a reasonable opportunity to consider and respond to any
additional requirements prior to approval or denial by the Board.
The Board shall issue a special use permit if it has evaluated an application and determined:
1. That the use will not materially endanger the public health or safety if located where proposed and developed according
to the plan as submitted and approved;
2. That the use meets all of the required conditions and specifications;
3. That the use will not substantially injure the value of adjoining or abutting property, or that the use is a public necessity;
4. That the location and character of the use, if developed according to the plan as submitted and approved, will be in
harmony with the area in which it is to be located and in general conformity with the Comprehensive Plan.
***Please refer to the 4 Findings of Fact listed above when making a decision***
Submitted by: Angela Blount, Planner I
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LOCATION MAPSHEET INDEXPROJECT INFORMATIONCALLDESIGNED: DADRAWN: DACHECKED: PWMJOB#: 21VB_NCN-0004P. MARSHALL &ASSOCIATESSITE TYPE:RAWLAND - SELF SUPPORT TOWERSITE COORDINATES:LAT: 36° 14' 53.48"LONG: -79° 01' 56.66"SITE ADDRESS:2025 GUESS ROADTIMBERLAKE, NC 27583SITE NAME:HURDLESITE ID:US-NC-5189NO DATE DESCRIPTION009/16/21ISSUED FOR ZONINGBEFORE YOU DIGNC ONE-CALL811SCOPE OF WORKPROPOSED UNMANNED TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER FACILITY CONSISTINGOF A NEW 300' SELF SUPPORT TOWER AND WIRELESS CARRIER EQUIPMENT.TITLE SHEETT-1US-NC-5189VERTICAL BRIDGE SITE ID:VERTICAL BRIDGE SITE NAME:HURDLET-1 TITLE SHEET & PROJECT INFORMATIONZ-1 OVERALL SITE PLANZ-2 DETAILED SITE PLANZ-3 TOWER ELEVATIONZ-4 FENCE DETAILSCONSTRUCTION CODEALL CONSTRUCTION SPECIFIED ON DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED FOR BUILDINGPERMIT SHALL COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FOLLOWING:MANDATORY CODES AS ADOPTED BY NORTH CAROLINA BUILDING CODESCOUNCIL:·2018 NORTH CAROLINA OR INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE WITH NCMODIFICATIONS;·2018 NORTH CAROLINA OR INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE WITHNC MODIFICATIONS;·2018 NORTH CAROLINA OR INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE WITH NCMODIFICATIONS;·2018 NORTH CAROLINA OR INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE WITH NCMODIFICATIONS;·2018 NORTH CAROLINA OR INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE WITHNC MODIFICATIONS;·2018 NORTH CAROLINA OR INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATIONWITH NC MODIFICATIONS;·2018 NORTH CAROLINA OR INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE WITH NCMODIFICATIONS;·2017 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODESITE ADDRESS: 2025 GUESS ROADTIMBERLAKE, NC 27583LATITUDE:36° 14' 53.48"LONGITUDE:-79° 01' 56.66"GROUND ELEVATION: 588.4' A.M.S.L.JURISDICTION: PERSON COUNTYPROPERTY OWNER: RANDY W. JONESPO BOX 1016HILLSBOROUGH, NC 27278919-971-4680TAX/PARCEL #: A43 176DEED REFERENCE: DB 471, PG 444PARCEL SIZE:25.29 ACRESZONING CLASS: RESIDENTIALDEVELOPER / VERTICAL BRIDGETOWER OWNER: 750 PARK OF COMMERCE DR, SUITE 200BOCA RATON, FL 33487ENGINEER:PM&A1000 HOLCOMB WOODS PKWY STE. 210ROSWELL, GA 30076PATRICK W MARSHALL, P.E.678-280-2325POWER: DUKE ENERGY800-452-2777FIBER:LOCAL NET336-623-7081VICINTY MAP14
427'-9"229'-1"258'-4"1282'-2"DESIGNED: DADRAWN: DACHECKED: PWMJOB#: 21VB_NCN-0004P. MARSHALL &ASSOCIATESSITE TYPE:RAWLAND - SELF SUPPORT TOWERSITE COORDINATES:LAT: 36° 14' 53.48"LONG: -79° 01' 56.66"SITE ADDRESS:2025 GUESS ROADTIMBERLAKE, NC 27583SITE NAME:HURDLESITE ID:US-NC-5189NO DATE DESCRIPTION009/16/21ISSUED FOR ZONINGOVERALL SITE PLANZ-1OVERALL SITE PLANSCALE: 1" = 200'GRAPHIC SCALESNORTH ARROW0SCALE: 1" =FULL SIZE @ 18 x 240SCALE: 1" = 200'200'200'HALF SIZE @ 8.5 X 11SWNEMPA&400'400'400'PROPOSED 12' WIDEGRAVEL ACCESS ROADPROPOSED 70' X 70'FENCED TOWER FACILITY,SEE SHEET Z-2 FOR DETAILSPARENT PARCELLANDS N/FRANDY W. JONESPIN: 9990-01-08-8335.000LANDS N/FCCF PROPERTIES LLCPIN: 9991-03-20-7571.000LAMBERTH HALL RD60' PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAYLANDS N/FTHE JOSEPH REVOCABLELIVING TRUSTPIN: 9990-01-27-0847.000GUESS RD / N
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PROPOSED 300'SELF SUPPORT TOWERPROPOSED 100' X 100'VERTICAL BRIDGE LEASE AREAPROPOSED C/L 30'ACCESS/UTILITY EASEMENTEXISTINGBUILDING15
5'-0"5'-0"35'-0"35'-0"70'-0"15'-0"15'-0"100'-0"70'-0"15'-0"15'-0"100'-0"DESIGNED: DADRAWN: DACHECKED: PWMJOB#: 21VB_NCN-0004P. MARSHALL &ASSOCIATESSITE TYPE:RAWLAND - SELF SUPPORT TOWERSITE COORDINATES:LAT: 36° 14' 53.48"LONG: -79° 01' 56.66"SITE ADDRESS:2025 GUESS ROADTIMBERLAKE, NC 27583SITE NAME:HURDLESITE ID:US-NC-5189NO DATE DESCRIPTION009/16/21ISSUED FOR ZONINGDETAILED SITEPLANZ-2GRAPHIC SCALESNORTH ARROWDETAILED SITE PLANSCALE: 1"=10'SWNEMPA&PROPOSED 6' HIGH CHAINLINKED FENCE (70' x 70')0SCALE: 1" =FULL SIZE @ 18 x 240SCALE: 1" = 10'10'10'HALF SIZE @ 8.5 X 1120'20'20'PROPOSED 12' WIDEGRAVEL ACCESS ROADPROPOSED 300'SELF SUPPORT TOWERPROPOSED MULTI-TENANT UTILITY FRAMEPROPOSED 12'WIDE GATEVERIZONEQUIPMENTAREAFUTURECARRIEREQUIPMENTAREAFUTURECARRIEREQUIPMENTAREAFUTURECARRIEREQUIPMENTAREAPROPOSED 100' X 100'VERTICAL BRIDGE LEASE AREAPROPOSED C/L 30'ACCESS/UTILITY EASEMENT16
DESIGNED: DADRAWN: DACHECKED: PWMJOB#: 21VB_NCN-0004P. MARSHALL &ASSOCIATESSITE TYPE:RAWLAND - SELF SUPPORT TOWERSITE COORDINATES:LAT: 36° 14' 53.48"LONG: -79° 01' 56.66"SITE ADDRESS:2025 GUESS ROADTIMBERLAKE, NC 27583SITE NAME:HURDLESITE ID:US-NC-5189NO DATE DESCRIPTION009/16/21ISSUED FOR ZONINGTOWER ELEVATIONZ-3TOWER ELEVATIONNTSPROPOSED SELF SUPPORT TOWERWITH GALVANIZED FINISH(DESIGN BY OTHERS)PROPOSED TOWER FOUNDATION(DESIGN BY OTHERS)HEIGHT OF PROPOSED SELF SUPPORT TOWER - 300' AGLFUTURE CARRIERANTENNAS (TYP.)FUTURE CARRIERANTENNAS (TYP.)PROPOSED FAA MEDIUM INTENSITY DUALOBSTRUCTION TOWER SIDE LIGHTS(USE AS REQUIRED BY FAA)PROPOSED FAA MEDIUM INTENSITY DUALOBSTRUCTION TOWER BEACON LIGHT(USE AS REQUIRED BY FAA)PROPOSED LIGHTNING RODFUTURE CARRIERANTENNAS (TYP.)PROPOSED VERIZONANTENNAS (TYP.)TOP OF PROPOSED LIGHTNING ROD - 310' AGLHEIGHT OF ANCHOR TENANT ANTENNAS - 295' AGL17
FINISH GRADE1'-0"6"6"45°1'-0"3'-0"VARIES2"6'-0"6"DESIGNED: DADRAWN: DACHECKED: PWMJOB#: 21VB_NCN-0004P. MARSHALL &ASSOCIATESSITE TYPE:RAWLAND - SELF SUPPORT TOWERSITE COORDINATES:LAT: 36° 14' 53.48"LONG: -79° 01' 56.66"SITE ADDRESS:2025 GUESS ROADTIMBERLAKE, NC 27583SITE NAME:HURDLESITE ID:US-NC-5189NO DATE DESCRIPTION009/16/21ISSUED FOR ZONINGFENCE DETAILSZ-4FENCE / BARBED WIRE ARM DETAIL NOT TO SCALE1179108651342222315202119181716REFERENCE NOTES:FINISH GRADESUB-GRADE222315231719TYP.181615GENERAL NOTES:42120141121219522213612810175312141324242525262726271. INSTALL FENCING PER ASTM F-5672. INSTALL SWING GATES PER ASTM F- 9003. LOCAL ORDINANCE OF BARBED WIRE PERMITREQUIREMENT SHALL BE COMPLIED IF REQUIRED.4. POST & GATE PIPE SIZES ARE INDUSTRY STANDARDS.4.A. ALL PIPE TO BE 1 1/2" GALV. (HOT DIP, ASTM A120GRADE "A" STEEL).4.B. ALL GATE FRAMES SHALL BE WELDED.4.C. ALL WELDING SHALL BE COATED WITH (3) COATS OFCOLD GALV. (OR EQUAL).5. ALL OPEN POSTS SHALL HAVE END-CAPS.6. USE GALVANIZED OR STAINLESS HOG-RINGS TO MOUNTALL SIGNS.7. CONTRACTOR TO PURCHASE & INSTALL VERTICAL BRIDGELOCKS ON ALL FENCE & ACCESS GATES. SET COMBOTO: 0951.CORNER, END OR PULL POST 3" NOMINAL SCHEDULE 40 PIPE.LINE POST: 2 1/2" SCHEDULE 40 PIPE, PER ASTM-F1083. LINE POSTS SHALL BEEQUALLY SPACED AT MAXIMUM 10'-0" O.C.TIE WIRE: MINIMUM 11 GA GALVANIZED STEEL AT POSTS AND RAILS ASINGLE WRAP OF FABRIC TIE AND AT TENSION WIRE BY HOG RINGSSPACED MAX. 24" INTERVALS.BARBED WIRE: TRIPLE STRAND 12-1/2" O.D. TWISTED WIRE TO MAT&TH WITHFABRIC 14 GA, 4 PT. BARBS SPACED ON APPROXIMATELY 5" CENTERS.TENSION WIRE: 9 GA. GALVANIZED STEEL.TOP RAIL & BRACE RAIL: 1 1/2" PIPE, PER ASTM-F1083.FABRIC: 9 GA CORE WIRE SIZE 2" MESH, CONFORMING TO ASTM-A392.STRETCHER BAR.3/8" DIAGONAL ROD WITH GALVANIZED STEEL TURNBUCKLE OR DIAGONALTHREADED ROD.FENCE CORNER POST BRACE: 1 5/8" DIA. EACH CORNER EACH WAY.1 1/2" MAXIMUM CLEARANCE FROM GRADE.2" FINISH OR AS DETERMINED BY CONSTRUCTION MANAGER DURING BIDWALK.4" COMPACTED 95% BASE MATERIAL OR AS DETERMINED BYCONSTRUCTION MANAGER DURING BID WALK.FINISH GRADE SHALL BE UNIFORM AND LEVEL.GATE POST 4". SCHEDULE 40 PIPE, FOR GATE WIDTHS UP THRU 7 FEET OR 14FEET FOR DOUBLE SWING GATE, PER ASTM-F1083.GATE FRAME: 1 1/2" PIPE, PER ASTM-F1083.GATE FRAME; 1 5/8" DIAMETER PIPE, PER ASTM-F1083GATE DIAGONAL GALVANIZED STEEL 1 1/2" PIPE.DUCK BILL OPEN GATE HOLDER. VERIFY LOCATION IN FIELD PRIOR TOINSTALLATION.GEOTEXTILE FABRICLINE POST: CONCRETE FOUNDATION (2000 PSI)CORNER POST: CONCRETE FOUNDATION (2000 PSI)GATE POST: CONCRETE FOUNDATION (2000 PSI)STYMIE LOCK SYSTEMINSTALL THE "VERTICAL BRIDGE" SIGN ON THE LEFT GATE OF THECOMPOUND GATE & ON THE LEFT GATE OF THE ACCESS ROAD GATE (IFAPPLICABLE)INSTALL THE "CAUTION" SIGN ON THE RIGHT GATEINSTALL THE "NOTICE" SIGN ON THE RIGHT GATE13201237218
Hurdle –New Build
Before and After Coverage Plots
Jul 31, 2021
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Without HURDLE Existing Coverage
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With HURDLE New Coverage
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B+T Group
1717 S. Boulder, Suite 300
Tulsa, OK 74119
Fall Certification Letter
Eastpointe Project Number: 8500
Eastpointe Site Name: Hurdle (US-NC-5189)
B+T Group Project Number: 144302.001.01c
Person County, NC 300’ Foot – Self Support Tower
September 2nd, 2021
Ms. Lexie Gill
Vertical Bridge Development, LLC
750 Park Of Commerce Drive, Suite 200
Boca Raton, Florida 33487
Subject:
Eastpointe Designation:
Engineering Firm Designation:
Site Data:
To Whom it May Concern:
As Requested by Eastpointe Industries, LLC on behalf of Vertical Bridge Development, LLC, B+T
Group is pleased to submit this “Fall Certification Letter” for the 300’ self-support tower to be
constructed at the Hurdle (US-NC-5189) site.
This tower will be designed in accordance with the TIA 222-H standard for Person County, NC. The
tower will be designed to support antennas and transmission lines for four wireless carriers. The design
criteria are more particularly described as follows:
Design Wind Speed: 111mph 3-sec gust (no ice), 40mph 3-sec gust (1/4” ice)
Structure Class: II
Exposure Category: C
Topographic Category: 1
300’—Wireless Carrier 1 (CaAa=40,000 sq in) w/ (12) 1 5/8” transmission lines
290’—Wireless Carrier 2 (CaAa=30,000 sq in) w/ (12) 1 5/8” transmission lines
280’—Wireless Carrier 3 (CaAa=30,000 sq in) w/ (12) 1 5/8” transmission lines
270’— Future Wireless Carrier 4 (CaAa=15,000 sq in) w/ (6) 1 5/8” transmission lines
Currently this structure is designed such that, if a failure were to occur, the tower would fall within aradius of 100’ from the base of the structure. It should be understood that communication structures are
designed in accordance with strict structural standards and it is extremely rare that well maintained
towers fail under normal operational conditions. However, in the highly unlikely event that this tower were
to experience operational failure, the failure mode would be compression buckling. In a compression
buckling failure, a structure of this type would collapse and fall on itself within a radius of 100’ from the
base of the tower.
We hope this letter satisfies your concerns. Please let us know if we may be of further assistance. Letter
prepared by: Tharun Cheriyan, E.I.T.
Respectfully submitted by: B+T Engineering, Inc.
John W. Kelly, P.E.
9/2/21
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")157")157
GGuueessssRRddLLaammbbeerrtthhHHaallll RRdd
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September 7, 2021
1
PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Gordon Powell Heidi York, County Manager
Kyle W. Puryear Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
C. Derrick Sims S.Ellis Hankins, County Attorney
Charlie Palmer
Patricia Gentry
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
regular session on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 7:00pm in the Person County Office
Building Auditorium.
Chairman Powell called the meeting to order and offered an invocation.
Commissioner Sims led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 5-0 to approve the
agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING:
PETITION CD-01-21, A REQUEST BY PLATEAU SOLAR, LLC ON BEHALF OF
THE PROPERTY OWNERS, THOMAS AND RACHEL PUCKETT, W. RUFFIN
WOODY JR. REVOCABLE TRUST AND SAMUEL CATES, FOR A
CONDITIONAL DISTRICT REZONING FROM R (RESIDENTIAL), RC (RURAL
CONSERVATION) AND B1 (HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL) TO CD-RC
(CONDITIONAL DISTRICT – RURAL CONSERVATION), FOR A LEVEL 3, (10
ACRES OR GREATER) SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM ON TAX MAP AND
PARCEL NUMBERS A41-1, A31-16, A31-42 AND A42-5, CONSISTING OF
APPROXIMATELY 798 ACRES LOCATED ON HURDLE MILLS ROAD AND
SATTERFIELD ROAD:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 5-0 to open the duly
advertised public hearing for Petition CD-01-21, a request by Plateau Solar, LLC on behalf
of the property owners, Thomas and Rachel Puckett, W. Ruffin Woody Jr. Revocable Trust
and Samuel Cates, for a Conditional District Rezoning from R (Residential), RC (Rural
Conservation) and B1 (Highway Commercial) to CD-RC (Conditional District – Rural
Conservation), for a Level 3, (10 acres or greater) Solar Energy System on Tax Map and
Parcel numbers A41-1, A31-16, A31-42 and A42-5, consisting of approximately 798 acres
located on Hurdle Mills Road and Satterfield Road.
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Planning Director, Lori Oakley introduced Angela Blount, Planner I to present
petition CD-01-21. Ms. Blount stated all state statutes and planning ordinance
requirements have been met for this public hearing. The Staff Report for CD-01-21 is
hereby entered into record.
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Ms. Blount shared the following presentation with the group:
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Ms. Blount said a Conditional District Rezoning was new for Person County since the
adoption of 160D. It differs from a Rezoning, in that a site plan for the use of the property is also
presented at the same time. She noted the properties to the North, East, West, and South of
the proposed project, are a mixture of Woodlands, Pasture or Farm Land with few single-
family homes.
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Ms. Blount stated the four tracts involved are currently zoned R (Residential)
represented in yellow, RC (Rural Conservation) in green and B1 (Highway Commercial)
in red.
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Ms. Blount noted the Future Land Use plan allows for Rural Residential (Tan),
agriculture, forestry, churches, limited commercial, and Suburban Residential (pink)
allows for subdivisions, manufactured home parks, commercial, office, industrial,
public/institutional uses.
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Ms. Blount said the above map shows existing 150’ vegetative buffer in green, areas
to be planted to 150’ shown in yellow. This map also shows a 50’ buffer on each side of all
the blue line streams. They also show 30’ wide corridors for wildlife, and the Point of
Interconnectivity along the power line easement.
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Chairman Powell announced that Plateau Solar representatives would have a time
limit of 20-minutes to present its information. Other individuals speaking in support of or
in opposition to the request would have a 3-minute time limit. He noted the IT staff would
be the timekeeper.
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Speaking in favor of the Petition CD-01-21, a request by Plateau Solar, LLC on
behalf of the property owners, Thomas and Rachel Puckett, W. Ruffin Woody Jr.
Revocable Trust and Samuel Cates, for a Conditional District Rezoning from R
(Residential), RC (Rural Conservation) and B1 (Highway Commercial) to CD-RC
(Conditional District – Rural Conservation), for a Level 3, (10 acres or greater) Solar
Energy System on Tax Map and Parcel numbers A41-1, A31-16, A31-42 and A42-5,
consisting of approximately 798 acres located on Hurdle Mills Road and Satterfield Road
were the following:
Mr. Thomas Terrell, Jr. of 230 N. Elm, Greensboro, NC with Fox Rothschild, LLP,
counsel representing the applicant confirmed that Plateau Solar has offered two new
conditions, although, following the standards of the County’s new solar ordinance. Mr.
Terrell stated the solar panel height would be limited to 10 ft., instead of 15 ft., as well as
offered to plant two rows of vegetation at 12-14 ft. at time of planting. Mr. Terrell said the
practical result of this is concealment in year one noting this is a site with more than 85%
of the facility already 100% concealed with 150 ft. of existing vegetation.
Mr. Terrell addressed some of the misstatements, errors and irrelevant matters that
have been made and continue to be made in these public hearings concerning Berea and
Plateau:
He said a county has never been given the power to control energy market forces,
technology for the energy industry nor given the powers to regulate our nation’s energy
sources through zoning.
He addressed individuals anger that part(s) of the these panels might come from
China by noting that Canadian Solar has plants in Canada, Brazil, the United States,
Mexico, Spain, Italy, the U.K., Germany, South Africa, Argentina, Turkey and Australia
as well as 8 countries in Asia. He added that no countries’ trade policies and the market
forces of supply and demand in a global economy are something that counties have any
statutory authority to influence for their zoning but such a focus on China only when it
comes to a solar panel is puzzling and extremely hypocritical because it is impossible to
live in today’s society without owning or benefiting from electronic devices from China
and parts of Asia, i.e. cell phones, vehicles, scanners, cash registers, college scoreboxes
and electronic systems that control the stop-lights, and thousands of others ways, and parts
and components that we, in this country, benefit from a global economy. Mr. Terrell noted
the County’s ordinance mandates that they disclose all constitute parts of these panels.
He addressed a previous speaker who identified himself originally as a CEO of a
company that designs and supplies specialized equipment for coal plants. This particular
speaker and his wife, regular speakers at these hearings more than likely have suffered
personal and economic loss as our nation’s energy productions have shifted away from
coal and other resources. He added it was not fair or logical to take it out on these
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landowners and these projects that have nothing to do with the closing of coal plants in
Person County.
Mr. Terrell said one of the landowners have had his land in his family since the
1700s and he wants to exercise his property rights but he has to come here and deal with
two of the people who have the strongest opinions expressed about how he uses his
property having just moved here from New Jersey.
Another regular speaker, Mr. Seepe, lives 13.3 miles from this site; Mr. Terrell
asked the Board to consider the distance he lives from this site when he offers his opinion
about how these landowners should use their land.
Regarding over heated language regarding a community being devastated by a use
that no one will be able to hear, to smell or to see that generates fewer fieldtrips in one
month than a single-family home generates in a day, he asked the Board to remember the
context. He said each of these speakers live in a community that has 110 ft. transmission
lines and power poles that they see every single day and 30 ft. power poles in front of their
homes.
At the August 16, 2021 public hearing on Berea Solar, three members of the Board
said the primary concern was there was no assurance of decommissioning. Ms. Oakley
(Planning Director) stepped up to the podium to remind the Board and in the new Solar
Ordinance there was a requirement that before an applicant can receive a building permit,
that applicant has to post a bond for 125% of the decommissioning costs.
Mr. Terrell said he hopes the primary concerns were now taken off the table. As to
bald eagles, Mr. Terrell said the NC Wildlife Commission has already determined that no
endangered species would be affected by this project.
Regarding that portion of this site that is zoned residential, Mr. Terrell said
residential does not mean that it is only for homes or something that is residential in nature
which is a keen misunderstanding of the ordinance. The following uses are found in the
County’s ordinance to be compatible in a residential district: airport, breweries,
campgrounds, convenience stores, apartments, mobile home parks, landfills, swim clubs,
utility substations and schools of all sizes. Mr. Terrell said this solar farm will generate
less traffic than all those uses and again will not be audible or visible.
Regarding the 2001 Land Use Plan, it was written 12 years before anybody had
heard the term solar farm. Despite that, numerous examples are in the notebook on how
this facility is consistent with the principles of the Person County Land Use Plan. Mr.
Terrell said most importantly, the Board of Commissioners made the finding on October
5, 2020 when adopting the new Solar Ordinance that anybody that meets the standards of
the new Solar Ordinance is consistent with the Land Use Plan.
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September 7, 2021
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Mr. Terrell said they support property rights, limited government that does not
exceed the powers given to it in the context of zoning as well as economic growth just as
the Land Use Plan supports economic growth.
Mr. Terrell asked the Board to support the County’s Land Use Plan noting they had
demonstrated consistency and compatibility in a wide variety of ways in a facility that not
just meets but exceeds the zoning ordinance.
Mr. Chris Sandifer, P.E., of 3118 Green Rd., Spring Hope, NC addressed the issue
of coal power plants and solar farms. He stated per Duke Energy’s 2020 resource plans,
the utility plans to retire all its power plants in the Carolinas that rely exclusively on coal.
This effort is to allow Duke Energy to achieve 50% reduction of carbon emissions by 2030.
Mr. Sandifer said Duke’s Hyco and Mayo plants will be closed noting that is not an if, but
just a matter of when. He noted solar renewable energy is not responsible for the coal
industry’s demise. He further noted that each megawatt hour of energy produced by a coal
plant produces over one ton of greenhouse gases; he stated there are already over 24 million
tons of coal ash in Person County that need an environmentally safe permanent disposition.
Mr. Sandifer referenced the United Stated Department of Energy noting the costs of coal
electric energy is twice as much as energy produced by solar. Mr. Sandifer said by refusing
to expand the tax base to include renewable energy, it will not help the coal power industry
to survive in Person County but will penalize its taxpaying residents into perpetuity for the
perceived benefit of just a few.
Mr. Tommy Cleveland, of 4141 Laurel Hills Rd, Raleigh, NC, and a NC
professional engineer who has worked his entire career in solar energy. Mr. Cleveland
stated he has heard some of the most inaccurate statements about solar energy, i.e., that the
solar project will triple the electricity rates in the future, that the project will take power
out of transmission lines at night time and the only source for the raw materials for solar
materials is from China. He said all those statements are incorrect.
Mr. Matt Delafield, Chief Operating Officer of Renewable Energy Services, the
original developer of this project. Mr. Delafield prepared and shared the following slide
presentation.
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September 7, 2021
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Mr. Delafield addressed the reliability of this tax base noting it does not rely on
trends but on a bankable utility. Mr. Delafield requested the Board to approve the
Conditional District rezoning request.
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Mr. John B. Mangum of 1101 Bethany Church Road, Rougemont, and a property
owner in the Berea Solar project spoke in support of the Hurdle Mills Solar project due to
the benefits it would bring Person County, most notably a zero carbon emission power
generation source. He said he did not own property adjacent the Hurdle Mills project. Mr.
Mangum said the county leadership’s opposition to solar energy stands in contrast to high-
tech companies that could bring high-paying jobs, which are moving toward carbon-neutral
or carbon-free production. Mr. Mangum provided examples of major companies’ plan to
reduce emissions, i.e., Ford Motor Company by 2035 to only have electric vehicles,
Amazon by 2040 to have 100,000 electric vehicles for its delivery, and Duke Energy by
2050 to achieve net zero carbon emissions. He said Person County is choosing to not be a
part of a future trend. Mr. Mangum said the property owners involved in the Hurdle Mills
project made the best decision for themselves for their own property that they have paid
property taxes.
Ms. Mary Susan Mangum Williams of 109 Westlake Dr., Henderson, NC, and a
property owner in the Berea Solar project stated she was a real estate broker in the state of
NC for over 20 years. Ms. Williams described how her rights have been violated noting
her property has not even been farmed commercially. She said the opportunity to use her
property for solar energy gave her a way to protect her land and keep out unwanted
trespassers.
County Attorney, Ellis Hankins reminded the Board and the individuals appearing
before the Board that the purpose of this public hearing was for comments related to the
conditional district rezoning application.
Mr. Chance Sanford of 400 Clayton Avenue, Roxboro stated that property owners
have a right to use their land for what they would like noting the vegetation would be high
enough that it would not be an eyesore to the community. Mr. Sanford said the coal jobs
that have left the community is not due to solar energy but due to natural gas. He said solar
is the future as the cheaper technology. Mr. Sanford stated farmers who did not make a
living farming could make money with solar energy. He asked the Board to let them do it.
Mr. Kevin Cates of 8131 Mabe Moshell Rd., Summerfield and a property owner in
the Hurdle Mills project on Satterfield Road said his land has been in his family since
before Person County was formed in 1791 noting no one there probably knew his
grandfather but conveyed that his grandfather, Hester Cates, would have wanted this on his
property noting he leased an easement to CP&L at that time for the high tension lines that
are located all through the properties being discussed. Mr. Cates said for the most part
people don’t want change but unfortunately the only constant is change. Mr. Cates asked
for the help of the Board to protect his rights as a landowner. Mr. Cates said the land would
not be farmed in the future and the only way to keep the property in his family for another
200 years was for it to pay for itself. Mr. Cates said it is clean, that there was no noise to
be heard, nothing to smell or taste and after the buffers installed, it would not be seen. He
asked the Board to vote yes.
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Speaking in opposition to Petition CD-01-21, a request by Plateau Solar, LLC on
behalf of the property owners, Thomas and Rachel Puckett, W. Ruffin Woody Jr.
Revocable Trust and Samuel Cates, for a Conditional District Rezoning from R
(Residential), RC (Rural Conservation) and B1 (Highway Commercial) to CD-RC
(Conditional District – Rural Conservation), for a Level 3, (10 acres or greater) Solar
Energy System on Tax Map and Parcel numbers A41-1, A31-16, A31-42 and A42-5,
consisting of approximately 798 acres located on Hurdle Mills Road and Satterfield Road
were the following:
Mr. Ray Foushee of 8930 Hurdle Mills Rd., Hurdle Mills said he would focus on
the guidelines that Person County uses to make rezoning decisions. Based on this
information, Mr. Foushee advocated for the Board to deny the rezoning of the proposed
property for solar development as was done by the Planning Board. Mr. Foushee said three
of the seven goals in the County’s Comprehensive Use Plan that was adopted in 2001 do
not support a zoning change for a solar development of this size. 1) The Land Use goal:
promote an orderly and efficient land use development pattern which allows for a variety
of land uses while being sensitive to environmental concerns. He added that cutting trees
off 500+ acres, taking the farming away from 110 acres was not sensitive to environmental
concerns. 2) Community Appearance goal: maintain and enhance the character of Person
County and other features that represent America’s heritage. He added that nothing about
797 acres of cleared land and solar panels will enhance the character of Person County.
Mr. Foushee noted existing vegetation, most of which is trees that leaves fall off in fall and
winter will not suffice as an adequate barrier. 3) Natural Environment goal: protect water
quality and ecological or other important factors. He added that taking 500 acres of trees
off will not satisfy that goal. Mr. Foushee noted #1 on the County’s Strategic Plan: protect
our land. He added 110 acres removed farmland will be eliminated and 500+ acres of
woodlands eliminated does not protect our land. Is the plan to develop in harmony with
the area; Mr. Foushee said no. Will the plan developed substantially injure the value of
adjoining or abutting property; Mr. Foushee said yes, in particular when it surrounds his
son’s property. Mr. Foushee said Person County citizens don’t have the good fortune to
have attorneys and experts to plead its case and asked the Board to represent the citizens
of the community. Mr. Foushee said the Hurdle Mills citizens appeal to the Board to vote
no to the rezoning and the solar development because it does not fit the County’s
Comprehensive Use Plan and does not fit the County’s Strategic Plan and it is not in
harmony with the area and it will no doubt substantially injure the value of adjoining and
abutting property nor does it fit the County’s Farmland Preservation Plan. Mr. Foushee
said the request has not fully been approved to be within five miles of the Airport and this
request was rejected by the Planning Board.
Mr. Jason Foushee of 8019 Hurdle Mills Rd., Hurdle Mills and the owner of 20
acres that Plateau Solar would like to surround with a solar facility. He said he purchased
the property and built a home in a residentially zoned area and is now worried about being
surrounded by glass and silicone. Mr. Foushee said the attorney says the solar facility will
not devalue his property but asked the Board if they would pay the same for a piece of
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property surrounded by a solar facility versus one that is not. Mr. Foushee said that the
attorneys have said the vegetative buffer will conceal everything from being seen but he
feels it will be impossible to hide 797 acres of solar panels by planting a few trees. The
construction of this project alone will disrupt his family and the Hurdle Mills community
for years. Mr. Foushee stated he hoped to provide his young children with options to build
homes on his property but surrounded by a solar facility, he did not think that would
happen. Mr. Foushee asked the Board to put themselves in his position to consider if they
would want this surrounding their home and property. He asked the Board to leave the
adjacent property zoned as residential.
Mr. Anthony Horton of 7233 Hurdle Mills Rd., Hurdle Mills said the proposed
solar project would be on two sides abutting his property. He stated his concerns related
to catastrophic weather issues, i.e., hail, hurricane, fire, the island heat affect especially if
they will drop them another five feet as it will change the temperature of that area including
around his and other properties. Mr. Horton said there were 35 homes and a church within
500 ft. of the project. Mr. Horton asked what happens if these panels are lifted and put on
farm property and deemed sterile. Mr. Horton asked who will have to clean it up. Will
they have to file lawsuits against the county, against the landowners, against the solar
companies to cover their losses. Mr. Horton said he understood land rights, but what about
the land if it damages his property. He asked what rights does he have as a landowner
adjoining this property. Mr. Horton opined it would affect property values. Mr. Horton
noted he has three kids that have expressed building on the farmland behind his house but
not if it is surrounded by solar panels. He further noted they have no way of knowing if
these property values won’t be hurt based on their data as there are no 800-acre solar farms
in this area. He asked if NC really wanted to keep growing these solar farms and be like
California, i.e., rolling blackouts. Mr. Horton referenced a packet of information he
provided to the commissioners of information that refutes what the lawyers have said about
the contribution to Duke Energy Progress is less than two-tenths of a percent that goes into
nominal reserves. Mr. Horton said natural gas is a better way to go. Mr. Horton asked the
Board to vote no on this project.
Mr. Anthony Wilkins of 2180 Union Grove Church Rd., Hurdle Mills said he had
traced his family history in Person County to 1836 noting farming is very important. He
said what will be the future vision of farming noting Person County has a bright future.
Mr. Wilkins asked why was this project a good option for Person County noting the Hurdle
Mills area was not the place for it to be. Mr. Wilkins addressed the issue of the coal plants
closing noting between the Hyco and Mayo plants, there is 3000+ megawatts being
produced 24/7 with the proposed solar that may produce energy for part of that time so he
asked how many solar farms will it take to be equalivant of the two coal plants. Mr. Wilkins
asked the Board to vote no.
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Mr. Bruce Moore of 1406 Union Grove Church Rd., Hurdle Mills said he was a
lifelong Personian, a businessman and Vice Chairman of the Uptown Roxboro Group
where they promote businesses and support local businesses. Mr. Moore said there was
not one thing about these solar farms that puts food on his table or bring people into his
business. He noted that a 798-acre in the heart of a community would be devastating and
Person County did not need to be the solar capital of NC. Mr. Moore asked the Board to
look at the room and that speaks for itself, as they did not want this in their community.
Mr. Moore stated when that project of this size affect everybody in this county and in the
Hurdle Mills community, a choice has to be made to oppose this project.
Ms. Cynthia Lynch of 395 Union Grove Church Rd., Hurdle Mills referenced to
the section of the packet titled Rebuttals, page 3 about farmland being taken away noting
as long as we all need to eat, we all need farms. Ms. Lynch further noted the two top things
that people in Person County said they are concerned about is expanding employment
opportunities and preserving farms and open space and she did not want the applicant to
tell the Board that it was none of their business that the county has no authority with macro
market regulations. Ms. Lynch said she did come from New Jersey and she has seen the
loss of agriculture in two communities and she does not want this area to lose that. Ms.
Lynch addressed property rights to use their land; she said all of us are controlled by the
Land Use ordinance to some extent.
Mr. John Seepe of 277 Barefoot Landing Ln., Semora said he owns over 100 acres
in Person County and as a taxpayer, he appreciated the speakers addressing the impact to
the whole county that solar farms of this magnitude would have. Mr. Seepe said that OSHA
was not recommending to put solar panels into landfills due to breakage and contamination
of groundwater. Mr. Seepe noted he worked years in nuclear energy and said the energy
that has the lowest amount of waste is nuclear power so he may put a nuclear power plant
on his 100 acres. He added it would be neat to put an adult store wherever he wanted or a
bar wherever he wanted. He said to reregulate this stuff noting the Board has five and a
half months with the moratorium to think about what is right for the county. Mr. Seepe
told the Board to listen to the Planning Board and turn it down.
Ms. Kay Rimmer of 8533 Hurdle Mills Rd., Hurdle Mills asked to defer her time
to Mr. Lynch. Mr. Terrell, the applicant’s attorney stated they were not given that
opportunity. Chairman Powell stated the Board would stand by the rules put into place to
allow 3-minutes per person. Ms. Rimmer stated she lives near the proposed solar farm and
it would be right behind her house. She said she did not want it noting she pays taxes and
she votes.
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Mr. Paul Lynch of 395 Union Grove Church Rd., Hurdle Mills stated he had a
degree in environmental engineering and worked in the power industry for over 35 years
and is currently CEO of a company that designs and supply custom engineering equipment
for power plants, all kinds of power plants, not just coal, including solar thermal noting
they are doing so well, they are hiring people as they cannot keep up with the work being
thrown at them. Mr. Lynch said the applicant has made a number of false statements,
misrepresentations and the easy one is that these panels are made in China. He noted they
said in their original application, the panels were built in Canada and they are not as this
company has facilities around the world. Mr. Lynch said their filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, on page 34 states as of December 31, 2020, 78% of the
manufacturing is done in China, with 22% in other countries in Southeast Asia. Mr. Lynch
said the applicant’s attorney also stated that there were no subsidies to be provided with
this project; he stated if there were no subsidies for solar power, you would not see single
one of them in existence. Mr. Lynch noted they have massive subsidies including guarantee
loans for the Department of Energy, all kinds of accounting benefits for tax purposes and
more. Mr. Lynch noted an environmental impact; the thermal heat island effect of this
facility would be much like a grove of pine trees. Mr. Lynch stated the benefits to the
property owners are obvious; the benefits to the developer is obvious. He asked what does
the citizens get, long term jobs, no, clean energy will cost a fortune as the power bills will
triple in the next 10 years. He added this is a utility scale power plant, an industrial use by
any definition. Mr. Lynch implored the Board to not let this happen to their community.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gentry and carried 5-0 to close the public
hearing for Petition CD-01-21, a request by Plateau Solar, LLC on behalf of the property
owners, Thomas and Rachel Puckett, W. Ruffin Woody Jr. Revocable Trust and Samuel
Cates, for a Conditional District Rezoning from R (Residential), RC (Rural Conservation)
and B1 (Highway Commercial) to CD-RC (Conditional District – Rural Conservation), for
a Level 3, (10 acres or greater) Solar Energy System on Tax Map and Parcel numbers A41-
1, A31-16, A31-42 and A42-5, consisting of approximately 798 acres located on Hurdle
Mills Road and Satterfield Road.
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CONSIDERATION TO GRANT OR DENY PETITION CD-01-21, A REQUEST BY
PLATEAU SOLAR, LLC ON BEHALF OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS, THOMAS
AND RACHEL PUCKETT, W. RUFFIN WOODY JR. REVOCABLE TRUST AND
SAMUEL CATES, FOR A CONDITIONAL DISTRICT REZONING FROM R
(RESIDENTIAL), RC (RURAL CONSERVATION) AND B1 (HIGHWAY
COMMERCIAL) TO CD-RC (CONDITIONAL DISTRICT - RURAL
CONSERVATION), FOR A LEVEL 3 (10 ACRES OR GREATER) SOLAR
ENERGY SYSTEM ON TAX MAP AND PARCEL NUMBERS A41-1, A31-16, A31-
42 AND A42-5, CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 798 ACRES LOCATED ON
HURDLE MILLS ROAD AND SATTERFIELD ROAD:
Commissioner Gentry said this was a difficult position as no one wants to deny
someone the right to do what they want with their property. She added that when those
rights impact other property owners, that is why we have zoning laws. Commissioner
Gentry said this project was an industrial sized project that was trying to be implemented
in a residential, rural agricultural area. She added it was not the proper place for it, as an
industrial use, it needs to be in its own industrial place. Commissioner Gentry said the
proposed project did not coincide with the County’s Comprehensive Plan. As the county
has regulations, she stated it was unfortunate the county did not protect itself and was
forced upon a project of this size. She said the county was looking at updating its solar and
planning ordinances and felt the Rural Conservation district needed to be tightened up.
Commissioner Gentry said for those reasons, she was against this solar facility in this
location.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 5-0 to deny Petition
CD-01-21, a request by Plateau Solar, LLC on behalf of the property owners, Thomas and
Rachel Puckett, W. Ruffin Woody Jr. Revocable Trust and Samuel Cates, for a Conditional
District Rezoning from R (Residential), RC (Rural Conservation) and B1 (Highway
Commercial) to CD-RC (Conditional District – Rural Conservation), for a Level 3, (10
acres or greater) Solar Energy System on Tax Map and Parcel numbers A41-1, A31-16,
A31-42 and A42-5, consisting of approximately 798 acres located on Hurdle Mills Road
and Satterfield Road based on the Planning Board’s recommendation.
Chairman Powell announced a brief break at 8:13pm; the meeting was reconvened
at 8:21pm.
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PUBLIC HEARING:
PUBLIC COMMENTS TO CONSIDER WHETHER THE BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS SHOULD ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO CHANGE THE
ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNANCE OF THE CURRENT DEPARTMENTS
OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND HEALTH:
Chairman Powell announced a 3-minute time limit for individuals making
comments during this public hearing.
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to open the duly
advertised public hearing to hear public comments to consider whether the Board of
Commissioners should adopt a resolution to change the Organization and Governance of
the current Departments of Social Services and Health.
There were no individuals to appear before the Board to speak in favor of the Board
of Commissioners to adopt a resolution to change the Organization and Governance of the
current Departments of Social Services and Health.
Speaking in opposition to the Board of Commissioners to adopt a resolution to
change the Organization and Governance of the current Departments of Social Services
and Health were the following:
Mr. Ray Jeffers of 1138 Concord-Ceffo Rd., Roxboro, and Chairman of the Social
Services Board said he was joined by fellow Social Service Board members, Linda Mabe,
and Charles Dickens in the audience. He said Fay Martin was unable to attend due to a
previous scheduled commitment. Mr. Jeffers said they were present to oppose
Commissioner Gentry’s proposal to consolidate the governance structure of human
services. Mr. Jeffers stated Commissioner Gentry, a first-term commissioner serving eight
months does not have a full understanding of the workings of the largest county
department, the Department of Social Services (DSS). Mr. Jeffers stated Commissioner
Gentry’s accusations of DSS key personnel was misleading, false, and a lie. Mr. Jeffers
said the Social Services Board approved teleworking last year for staff with the necessary
technology due to the level of un-readiness amongst employees due to the corona virus.
He added that along with employment, benefits such as maternity leave, sick leave and
family and medical leave are extended to employees and those employees Commissioner
Gentry spoke of in a Board of Commissioners’ meeting had the right to utilize the benefits
offered to them and did so. Mr. Jeffers recalled when Commissioner Sims asked
Commissioner Gentry if she had met and discussed her proposal with the Social Services
Board, and she said yes but they didn’t want to hear it. Mr. Jeffers stated this was another
falsehood as the Social Service Board could attest, she was asked to share her proposal and
she declined. Mr. Jeffers recalled Commissioners Gentry’s response when the Board of
Commissioners voted to remove a member from the Economic Development Commission
as petty politics and yet she proposes to dissolve the Social Services and Health boards
without evidence of the need. Mr. Jeffers asked the Board of Commissioners to vote down
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Commissioner Gentry’s proposal as well as asked Chairman Powell to replace
Commissioner Gentry on the Social Services Board with a commissioner representative
that was interested to work with the Social Services Board to improve the largest
department in the county that serves so many.
Mr. Carlton Paylor, Director of Person County’s Department of Social Services
said the Health and DSS employees traditionally have been considered state personnel act
employees which protects from local control and the potential for harassment and malign
this could bring noting it seems wise to create a buffer between those service providers
against politically or socially sensitive decisions. Mr. Paylor said the relationship between
Health and DSS works very well, both with a good relationship with the County Manager.
Mr. Paylor said even working in a pandemic, experiencing the cyber-incident among other
issues that his competent team addressed the state corrective action noting receipt letters
from state agencies with commending reviews for its performance. He noted there was a
minimal payback for Medicaid. Mr. Paylor spoke of internal, state and online trainings for
his employees. Mr. Paylor stated there were some incorrect comments made about DSS in
June related to former employees, current employees as well as himself not working which
were false. Mr. Paylor asked the Board to not consolidate the DSS and Health department
and allow them to get back to work.
Mr. Clevie Brandon of 635 Oliver Loop Rd., Roxboro and president of the Person
County Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance stated opposition to the destructive
attitude that reference that leaders are unknowledgeable and insufficient noting they are
aware these leaders are well educated and possess the knowledge and background to
adequately perform their job as stated in the most recent audit. As the peace makers and
peace keepers of the community, he requested the Board of Commissioners to be more
considerate about department leaders in Person County before accusations are made that
are damaging to one’s character. Mr. Brandon made it known he supports the Social
Services Director and his staff and asked that their names be cleared. Mr. Brandon asked
the Board of Commissioners to consider leaving the DSS as is and to not consolidate the
DSS and Health Department.
Dr. Jeff Noblett of 70 Teal Drive, Semora and Chairman of the Board of Health
spoke in opposition to the consolidation proposal. Dr. Noblett noted the goal of the Health
Department is the health and well-being of the citizens of Person County. In order to do
that, the county needs a board that consists of people that are very familiar with the health
field. He noted the current pandemic of COVID-19 with vaccinations, weekly status of
Person County’s statistics, tobacco ordinance, maintenance of stockpile of medical
supplies for the county in the event that there is a disaster, STDs, maternal health,
environmental health, wells and septic tanks, food service inspections, swimming pool
inspections, all of these issues would have to be dealt with by the Board of Commissioners
if these boards are merged or the departments are merged. Dr. Noblett noted health
professionals on the Board of Health include a doctor, a nurse, a veterinarian, an engineer
and others familiar with the health field and equipped to handle these things. Dr. Noblett
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said the Board of Health’s consensus opinion was that the Board of Commissioners should
vote against the consolidation of the DSS and Health Department as they are doing two
entirely different things.
Mr. Avie Lester, Sr. of 7455 Virgilina Rd., Roxboro spoke on behalf of NAACP
and concerned citizens to offer absolute objection to consolidation of function of the DSS
and Health Department. Mr. Lester said both the public health and DSS falls under the
strict guidelines of the NC Department of Health and Human Services and there was no
reason for more oversight by the County Manager, who serves at the pleasure of the county
commissioners. Mr. Lester encouraged the citizens of the community to strongly object
and reject any form of consolidation, which in his opinion was short sighted and
unnecessary.
Mr. Ben Tillett of 275 Knolls of Mayo Rd., Roxboro and a member of the Board of
Health noted the Board of Health was established in 1988. Prior to 1988, Mr. Tillett said
the Person County Health Department reported to a district board of health which meant
the resource allocation for Person County’s health needs came from outside the county.
Establishment of a local board of health was a significant step forward bringing local public
health governance to the citizens of Person County. Per state statute, the Board of Health
in NC is to be made of up of a specified local mix of local health care professionals as well
as the general public, all people that have vested interests in the public health needs of our
citizens. Mr. Tillett said each member of the board of health are appointed for three-year
terms by the Board Commissioners and bring an individual professional perspective and
when combined with the others provides a unique understanding of the public health needs
of the county to which is taken responsibly. Mr. Tillett noted ultimate control of public
health resources and performance rests with the Board of Commissioners. He further noted
the members of the Board of Health are committed to its mission as evidence by attendance
and participation. Mr. Tillett, a member of the Board of Health for many years, attested to
the spirit of service noting they have never failed to have a quorum. As a member of the
local health department and accreditation board, the state agency that surveys local health
departments using standards of performance approved by state legislature, Mr. Tillett stated
great pride under the current Health Director’s leadership was one of the first health
departments in the state to meet all 148 standards of performance earning a score of 100.
He added the health department continues to score high on these surveys receiving
Accreditation of Honors distinction which is not an easy accomplishment requiring
outstanding leadership and employee commitment within the department. Mr. Tillett
encouraged the Board to allow this longstanding tradition to continue by not consolidating
the boards of Health and Social Services.
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Mr. Chance Sanford of 400 Clayton Ave., Roxboro represented Personians Against
Injustices and Racism stated the need for better access to information, education and jobs.
Without these things, Mr. Sanford said citizens will increasingly rely on access to
subsidized healthcare through the County’s health department and subsidized food,
childcare, utility payments and housing through DSS. Mr. Sanford voiced concerns to the
Board as they sit in judgment over these services. Mr. Sanford asked the Board why to
consider consolidation of these two departments. He asked who benefits from
consolidation, the citizens, the employees or is this simply to place people in position of
power to influence and effect the outcomes that are congruent with the Republican political
party.
Mr. Robert Trotter of 117 Hill St., Roxboro stated he worked in Social Services for
over 30 years and never seen an agency consolidate two separate local government
services. Mr. Trotter said he did not understand the situation but felt this was a misguided
approach as it was not a public hearing but a sounding board from the public.
A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer and carried 5-0 to close the public
hearing for public comments for the Board of Commissioners to consider adopting a
resolution to change the Organization and Governance of the current Departments of Social
Services and Health.
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CONSIDERATION TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO DRAFT A RESOLUTION TO
CHANGE THE ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNANCE OF THE CURRENT
DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND HEALTH:
Chairman Powell stated he voted in favor to schedule and hold the public hearing
as he needed to, and wanted to hear from the public related to changing the organization
and governance of the current departments of Social Services and Health. After hearing
the comments, he said he was not in favor to proceed with action on this matter.
Commissioner Gentry said there had been misconceptions about the concept of
merging the boards noting she was not talking about merging the departments.
Commissioner Gentry stated she understood the concerns as change is always challenging.
Commissioner Gentry said she could not understand why anyone would not want to make
it better and stronger. Commissioner Gentry said the employees would not lose their
protections from the state and there was an effective and efficient way to merge the boards
to have direct supervision like every other department in the county. She explained the
reason for her proposal was due to county having to spend around $60,000 to hire outside
consultants to fix a problem at DSS that the Board was unaware that existed. Perhaps these
funds could have been saved if there had been better communication and oversight;
Commissioner Gentry said that money could have been put into programming and not in
the pocket of the consultant. Commissioner Gentry felt the Board should have some say
with the $5M that is spent. Commissioner Gentry noted her vision was an opportunity to
engage more professional people on a consolidated board as the county was having issues
with drug abuse, alcohol and other issues affecting families and causing them to rely on
government services at DSS, which in turn go to the Health Dept. She advocated for finding
more professional help with a consolidated board and that it was worth a look.
Commissioner Gentry asked to Board to consider the options noting it was not a power
grab.
Commissioner Sims stated he could see both sides of the issue and noted his
preference to take action on this item and not kick it down the road.
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 3-2 to not proceed with
changing the organization and governance of the current departments of Social Services
and Health. Commissioner Sims, along with Chairman Powell and Vice Chairman Puryear
voted in favor of the motion; Commissioners Gentry and Palmer cast the dissenting votes.
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INFORMAL COMMENTS:
The following individual appeared before the Board to make informal comments:
Ms. Cynthia Lynch of 395 Union Grove Church Rd., Hurdle Mills stated as the
Board has recently approved a solar moratorium to allow time to review its Solar Energy
Systems Ordinance noting it was just a year ago the Board was doing the same thing. Ms.
Lynch suggested to look at the size of the projects and have some limitation on the size.
Ms. Lynch also suggested to the Board to establish a task force of people beside the staff
planners who have some technical experience. Another issue not touched on in the recent
applications was battery storage, and Ms. Lynch said unless the Board makes some
prohibition in the solar ordinance, the Board could find themselves looking at such a year
from now.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 5-0 to approve the
Consent Agenda with the following items:
A. Approval of Minutes of August 2, 2021,
B. Home & Community Care Block Grant Final Reports FY 2020-2021, and
C. Person County Health Department Fee Requests for Immunization
Administration of the 3rd Dose COVID-19 Pfizer and Moderna
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RECONVEYANCE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY:
County Attorney, Ellis Hankins presented a Resolution Authorizing Reconveyance
of School Property for Board consideration explaining the County made its final loan
payment on or about June 1, 2021 that pledged Woodland Elementary School property as
security for repayment of the loan. The School Board sent notice of its desire to exercise
its purchase option pursuant to the Lease Agreement dated on or about May 16, 2006 that
the County provided to the School Board during the term of the financing agreement. The
School Board adopted a Resolution Taking Appropriate Action Related to Exercising the
Purchase Option for the Woodland Elementary School site, which was construed as a
written offer. Upon the County receiving the School Board’s check for $100.00, the
mutually agreed purchase price, the Chairman is authorized to execute a Warranty Deed to
convey Woodland Elementary School to the School Board. Mr. Hankins noted Chairman
Powell would be signing the Warranty Deed 15 years later after signing it as the Board of
Education’s Chairman.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 5-0 to adopt a
Resolution Authorizing Reconveyance of School Property, as presented.
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Powell reported an upcoming Patriot’s Day on September 11, 2021 with
a parade at 9:00am and a ceremony at the Veterans’ Park at 10:00am.
Chairman Powell said a ceremony to dedicate the flagpole at Merritt Commons on
September 18, 2021 at noon to honor the memory of Bruce Wrenn.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
County Manager, Heidi York had no report.
COMMISSIONER REPORT/COMMENTS:
Commissioner Gentry reported that both Verizon and AT&T cell phone providers
are removing equipment from towers for upgrades causing cell phone coverage to be
spotty; however, because of proprietary information, it is not known when the new
equipment would be installed. Commissioner Gentry recommended citizens experiencing
issues to file an online complaint with the FCC.
Commissioner Sims stated he wanted to correct some misinformed information
given out at the last Board meeting by Mr. John Seepe. Mr. Seepe said Commissioner
Sims was on the ATC advisory committee; Commissioner Sims stated he was on a
Mechatronics Advisory Board prior to being elected but has not been on any committee
related to the ATC. He noted his understanding with PCC Vice President Beth Townsend
was that there has not yet been an advisory committee established for the ATC.
There were no reports or comments from Vice Chairman Puryear nor
Commissioner Palmer.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 5-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 9:01pm.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves Gordon Powell
Clerk to the Board Chairman
(Draft Board minutes are subject to Board approval).
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SEPTEMBER 20, 2021
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Gordon Powell Heidi York, County Manager
Kyle W. Puryear Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
C. Derrick Sims S. Ellis Hankins, County Attorney
Charlie Palmer
Patricia Gentry - ABSENT
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in regular session
on Monday, September 20, 2021 at 9:00am in the Person County Office Building Auditorium.
Chairman Powell called the meeting to order. Commissioner Gentry was absent.
Chairman Powell offered an invocation and Vice Chairman Puryear led the group in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 4-0 to approve the agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING:
REQUEST TO SUBMIT FISCAL YEAR 2023 COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION
PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDING:
A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer and carried 4-0 to open the duly advertised
public hearing for a request to submit FY2023 Community Transportation Program Application for
federal and state funding.
Public Transportation Director, Kurt Neufang stated a public hearing was being conducted to
consider approval of the FY2023 Community Transportation Program application for federal and
state funding and commitment of local share funds to be submitted to NC Department of
Transportation no later than October 8, 2021.
The Community Transportation Program supports transportation programs operating in
Person County and provides transportation options and services for the communities within this
service area. Services are provided using Light Transit (LTV) buses operated by the Person Area
Transportation System (PATS.) Mr. Neufang stated PATS would be requesting replacement of two
LTV buses in FY2023.
The total estimated amount requested for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 is
outlined below. NOTE: The local share amount is subject to State funding availability.
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Project
Total Amount Local Share
Administrative
$ 186,623 $ 27,994 (15%)
Operating (5311)
$ 0 $ 0 (50%)
Capital (Vehicles & Other)
5310 Operating
$ 131,000
$ 0
$ 13,100
$ 0
(10%)
(50%)
Other
TOTAL PROJECT
$ 0
$ 317,623
$ 0
$ 41,094
Mr. Neufang requested approval to submit FY2023 Community Transportation Program
application as well as of local funds.
Commissioner Palmer asked Mr. Neufang if PATS had any CARES Act funding unspent to
which Mr. Neufang responded that the PATS department has expended all funding that was awarded
this year on operational costs which was a 100% assistance program.
There were no individuals appearing before the Board to speak in favor of or in opposition to
the request to submit the FY2023 Community Transportation Program Application for federal and
state funding.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 4-0 to close the public hearing
for a request to submit FY2023 Community Transportation Program Application for federal and state
funding.
CONSIDERATION TO GRANT OR DENY REQUEST TO SUBMIT FY2023 COMMUNITY
TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL AND STATE
FUNDING:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 4-0 to approve the request to
submit FY2023 Community Transportation Program Application for federal and state funding.
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INFORMAL COMMENTS:
Chairman Powell announced a three-minute time limit per speaker.
The following individuals appeared before the Board to make informal comments:
Mr. John Seepe of 277 Barefoot Landing Lane, Semora addressed comments made by
Commissioner Sims directed at him related to the documents that led him to believe he was on an
advisory committee for the college’s proposed Advanced Technology Center (ATC).
Mr. Earl Gurtner of 525 Pine Knoll Acres, Leasburg stated he wished to yield his three-
minute time to Mr. Seepe. Mr. Seepe questioned if land had indeed been donated to Piedmont
Community College for the purpose of the proposed ATC. He asked if the county would mandate
its employees to get the vaccine or lose their job when the county is having difficulty retaining and
recruiting employees. In addition, Mr. Seepe noted he had spoken to the Planning Director and
County Manager to ask if any further directions have been instructed to staff related to any changes
to the County’s regulations for solar facilities; he warned the Board that time was ticking away for
the six-month solar moratorium.
Ms. Liz Bradsher of 976 Estate Road, Semora stated she did not wish to speak.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 4-0 to approve the Consent
Agenda with the following items:
A. Approval of Minutes of August 16, 2021,
B. Budget Amendment #4
C. Budget Amendment #5,
D. Department of Social Services Legal Contracts for FY2022
1) Contract #1008 for legal services for the Department of Social Services with
Thomas Fitzgerald,
2) Contract #1009 for legal services for the Department of Social Services with
Thomas Fitzgerald,
3) Contract #1013 for legal services for the Department of Social Services with Julie
Ramsey,
4) Contract #1014 for legal services for the Department of Social Services with Ben
Holloman, Jr., and
E. Tax Adjustments for September 2021
1) Tax Releases
2) NC Vehicle Tax System pending refunds
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September 20, 2021
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NEW BUSINESS:
PRESENTATION OF COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FISCAL
YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2020:
Finance Director, Amy Wehrenberg introduced Mr. Jami Crampton, CPA and Manager with
Elliott Davis, LLC, to present to the Board of Commissioners the Comprehensive Annual Financial
Report (CAFR) for Person County for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2020. Each of the commissioners
were given a hard copy of the subject audit. Mr. Crampton shared the following presentation:
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69
September 20, 2021
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A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 4-0 to accept the Auditor’s
Results Report for the Person County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year
Ending June 30, 2020. By reference, a copy of the noted CAFR is incorporated into the minutes and
will be on file in the Office of the Clerk to the Board of Commissioners.
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UPDATE TO THE ORDINANCE REGULATING POSSESSION OR CONSUMPTION OF
MALT BEVERAGES OR UNFORTIFIED WINE ON COUNTY PROPERTY:
John Hill, Director of Recreation, Arts, and Parks Department on behalf of the Person County
Recreation Advisory Board announced that Person County and Roxboro NC, were chosen by North
Carolina Sports, a partner of the North Carolina Division of Commerce and Tourism, to be one of
the host sites for the Mountains to Coast Ride (a 7-day bicycle ride across NC) on October 5, 2021.
The Huck Sansbury campus will be the main location hosting overnight stays of tourists from around
the United States, including CA, TX, FL, CO, NE, MO, VA, CT, ME, PA, TN, IN, MI, OR, GA,
MD, DE, SC, NM, KS, KY, OH, MT, LA, IL, WI, WV, and NC. Approximately 800 to 1,000 riders
and their families are expected to visit Person County for this event.
During a planning meeting on June 29, 2021, Chip King, the event director from North
Carolina Sport, advised Person County’s committee that it would be a good idea to have
refreshments, a small beer garden, and food trucks for a short duration as the riders arrive at the finish
line. Mr. Hill noted Mr. King said that many host sites allow licensed alcohol vendors, as it is a great-
added feature that tourists enjoy during their welcome. Mr. Hill stated North Carolina Sports would
handle obtaining the vendor and Person County would handle the permitting and insurance for the
event. Mr. Hill stated the event would be a very controlled atmosphere. He added riders would
arrive at the Huck Sansbury site between 11:00am to 4:00pm; following refreshments, showers,
individuals will be shuttled to the Uptown area to showcase our town/county and then shuttled back
for early bedtime as riders will be back on the road by 7:00am for the next day’s ride.
Mr. Hill stated that during the August 4, 2021 Person County Recreation Advisory Board
(RAB) meeting, this was discussed as a desirable feature for the event. The RAB voted unanimously
to move forward with requesting approval from the Person County Board of Commissioners to
update the Ordinance Regulating Possession or Consumption of Malt Beverages or Unfortified Wine
on County Property. The updated ordinance would allow for alcohol to be served or sold at authorized
special event locations on County property with the approval by the Board of Commissioners and
the required Person County Special Event Alcohol Permits and North Carolina Alcohol license and
event permits.
Mr. Hill requested Board consideration to adopt the updated Ordinance Regulating
Possession or Consumption of Malt Beverages or Unfortified Wine on County Property; he added
the updated ordinance was reviewed by the County Attorney.
County Attorney, Ellis Hankins explained that the current Ordinance Regulating Possession
or Consumption of Malt Beverages or Unfortified Wine on County Property generally prohibits
alcohol beverages on county owned properties with specific exceptions noting there was no general
exception for special events. He noted the proposed updated ordinance before the Board would first
repeal the current ordinance and the proposed updated ordinance continues the same prohibition with
the same specific exceptions with an added exception for authorizing special event locations upon
adoption by the Board of Commissioners. Mr. Hankins said this updated ordinance, upon first
consideration, must be approved by all the members of the Board of Commissioners. As
Commissioner Gentry was absent, Mr. Hankins recommended that the Board vote at this first
consideration and then place it on the Board’s next meeting, at which time, a majority vote would
adopt the updated ordinance.
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Commissioners stated support of the request and complimented Mr. Hill and staff to pull of
such an event.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 4-0 to adopt the proposed
updated Ordinance Regulating Possession or Consumption of Malt Beverages or Unfortified Wine
on County Property, as presented. The second reading and action for this Ordinance Regulating
Possession or Consumption of Malt Beverages or Unfortified Wine on County Property will take
place at the Board’s October 4, 2021 meeting.
AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION FOR SPECIAL EVENT LOCATION:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 4-0 to postpone consideration
of this item for an Authorizing Resolution for Special Event Location to the Board’s October 4, 2021
meeting.
POSSIBLE UPDATE TO AUTOMOBILE GRAVEYARD AND JUNKYARD ORDINANCE:
Planning Director, Lori Oakley stated staff has received several inquiries regarding the
County’s Ordinance Regulating Automobile Graveyards and Junkyards. The current ordinance, as
written, allows junk to be screened behind a solid, privacy fence or a combination of a chain link
fence and vegetation. Ms. Oakley stated staff was seeking guidance from the Board as to preference
for the ordinance to remain as it is currently written, or should the Board prefer any amendments.
The Ordinance Regulating Automobile Graveyards and Junkyards in Person County was
originally adopted on September 21, 1987 and re-adopted on April 6, 2015. Since the re-adoption
of the ordinance, there have been three text amendments to the ordinance, which include:
March 2018 – an amendment to clearly distinguish the difference between a commercial and
residential junkyard and clarify the penalties for violations.
March 2020 – an amendment which reduced the screening requirements of a junkyard. The
original text required junkyards and automobile graveyards to be screened from public roads,
adjacent properties containing dwellings and adjacent properties containing public uses, such
as schools and playgrounds. Under the new text, screening was not required along the
perimeter of a parcel that was adjacent to a dwelling if that area of the parcel is not visible
from a public road or public use.
May 2021 – an amendment which required screening of junkyards along private roads (in
addition to public roads).
Ms. Oakley stated a memorandum related to the Enforcement of the “Ordinance Regulating
Automobile Graveyards and Junkyards in Person County” was prepared by The Brough Law Firm:
This Memorandum is submitted to you in order to: (1) provide background on the County’s “Ordinance
Regulating Automobile Graveyards and Junkyards in Person County” (the “Junkyard Ordinance”); (2)
update the Board on the status of County Planning Staff’s efforts to address complaints regarding alleged
violations of the Junkyard Ordinance at property located at 1235 Cedar Grove Church Road (the “Subject
Property”); and (3) to request guidance from the Board on how to address issues with the Junkyard
Ordinance.
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Factual Background
As the Board may be aware, County Planning Staff have been tracking potential violations of County
ordinances on the Subject Property since 2003. On or around December 15, 2011, County Planning Staff first
identified potential violations regarding storage of junk on the Subject Property.
On or around May 31, 2016, former-Planning and Zoning Director Michael Ciriello submitted a letter (the
“Ciriello Letter”) to David Yarboro, owner of the Subject Property, which appears to memorialize an
“agreement on the remediation of the violation of the Person County Ordinance Regulating Automobile
Graveyards and Junkyards.” While it is not expressly stated in the Ciriello Letter, the Ciriello Letter implies
that all then-existing violations of the Junkyard Ordinance on the Subject Property were remedied by the
County’s installation of a fence around the portion of the Subject Property containing the junkyard and/or
automobile graveyard and repayment of the associated costs by Mr. Yarboro to the County.
Upon further investigation, it is unclear whether the Subject Property currently does comply with the terms
of the Junkyard Ordinance. For instance, there are no records indicating that a license was ever issued
permitting the operation of a junkyard and/or automobile graveyard on the Subject Property, as required by
Section 8 of the Junkyard Ordinance. It is also unclear whether the existing fence has been maintained in
good condition, as required by Section 5 of the Junkyard Ordinance.
County Planning Staff have received several complaints from an adjacent property owner. The complaints
appear to be generally related to the condition of the fence, the unkempt state of the Subject Property, and
other similar nuisance concerns. County Planning Staff are uncertain whether there is anything that can be
done to address those concerns through the Junkyard Ordinance.
Further, even if there were a clear violation of the Junkyard Ordinance, North Carolina law may limit the
County’s enforcement option.
Summary of North Carolina Law
N.C. Gen Stat. §§ 1-51 and 1-49 establish deadlines within which a unit of local government may bring a code
enforcement action “[against the owner of an interest in real property… for a violation of a land-use statute,
ordinance, or permit or any other official action concerning land use carrying the effect of law.” Violations
that are known to the local government—either through local government staff or through public records—
are subject to a five (5) year deadline. Violations that are unknown to the local government but are known to
the public are subject to a seven (7) year deadline. Notably, these deadlines do not apply to “for conditions
that are actually injurious or dangerous to the public health or safety.” Local governments are entitled to file
a legal action to remedy those types of violations at any time.
Based on currently available records, it appears that the County may be outside of the deadlines to take legal
action to remedy violations of the Junkyard Ordinance. However, the County may still pursue compliance
through administrative measures, and which the law firm can discuss with County Planning Staff.
Another option would be for County Planning Staff to prepare an amendment to the Junkyard Ordinance to
make it more useable. The amending ordinance could include an amortization period, giving noncompliant
junkyards and automobile graveyards a certain period of time to come into compliance with the amended
ordinance. This would allow County Planning Staff to ensure that any violations or nonconformities on the
Subject Property are remedied. North Carolina law specifically allows these amortization ordinances,
provided that they are reasonable in light of the use of the property, the character of the neighborhood, and
the detriment caused to the property owner.
Request for Guidance
County Planning Staff and the County Attorneys respectfully request that the Board of County Commissioners
provide guidance on the following issues:
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1. Does the Board of County Commissioners desire for County Planning Staff to aggressively seek
enforcement of the current Junkyard Ordinance on the Subject Property?
2. Does the Board of County Commissioners desire for County Planning Staff to prepare a text
amendment to the Junkyard Ordinance and propose an amortization period?
3. How does the Board of County Commissioners prefer for County Planning Staff to address complaints
made by neighboring property owners?
Ms. Oakley discussed with the Board a particular property drawing complaints that are
documented since 2003 at 1235 Cedar Grove Church Road, owned by David T. Yarboro.
Ms. Oakley recalled this was the same property back in 2015 that received a junk violation
notice from the former Planning Director to screen, but the deadline was not met. Following
remediation, a fence installer was hired by the County to completely fence the junk from view and a
payment schedule was set up with the property owner. Ms. Oakley confirmed the property owner
has fully reimbursed the County for the costs of the fence. In 2018, Ms. Oakley notified the property
owner of a violation as the junk was visible due to the fence was in disrepair; however, the fence was
repaired and the property was back into compliance. More recently, a neighboring property family
member, Mr. Ken Humphries, has complained about the junk and RV/Campers on the property. Ms.
Oakley noted the latest violation letter was sent in July related to too many RV/Campers were on the
property. She noted that Ms. Yarboro recently came into the office to state all but one RV/Camper
was removed; Ms. Oakley said she and her staff were scheduled to visit the site to confirm
compliance.
Commissioner Palmer said there was a complaint about oil was leaked into the ground. Ms.
Oakley stated that complaint would not be handled by the Planning Department and that the
Environmental Health Department and/or state agencies could be contacted for further investigation;
she said she gave Mr. Humphries contact information for those appropriate agencies to follow-up on
an oil leakage.
Ms. Oakley requested the Board to direct staff on how the Board would like to proceed with
enforcement and a possible text amendment of the Automobile Graveyard and Junkyard Ordinance.
She told the group that an amendment to the ordinance to prohibit junk on residential property would
mean all junk would have to be removed, including behind the privacy fence. In addition, she
suggested setting up an amortization schedule for a time period specific, i.e., 12 month, 18 months.
Ms. Oakley stated such amendment would have consequences as it would apply to all property
owners in the county and there would be no grandfathering.
The Board asked Mr. Ken Humphries, who was present in the audience, if he desired to make
any comments. Mr. Humphries asked that the property owner be held to the law; he said it was an
illegal dump on the property in question and that there are multiple unlicensed vehicles, including
trailers, and boats on the property. Mr. Humphries said the Environmental Health Department blew
him off and the Tax Office added $5,000 value to the property tax without investigating the
unlicensed vehicles.
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 4-0 for County Planning Staff to
aggressively seek enforcement of the current Junkyard Ordinance on the Subject Property.
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Vice Chairman Puryear stated he was not prepared for a text amendment without further
review of any unintended consequences. He added he would like to have the minimum impact for
properties that have no complaints. Ms. Oakley said if the Board desires to prohibit junk from
residential properties that other property owners that are currently in compliance could possibly be
in violation and would have to remove all junk. Vice Chairman Puryear requested staff to work on
a solution without negative impact to other properties that are in compliance.
Ms. Oakley noted for the group that her department only investigates complaints that are
brought to them for any ordinance violations. Ms. York told the Board staff would bring back
suggestions at a future meeting.
PERMITTING PROCESS IMPROVEMENT PLAN UPDATE:
County Manager, Heidi York stated following the concerns about the length of the permitting
process for the County Inspections and Environmental Health services that were expressed at the
April 20th Homebuilders Association, the Board of Commissioners received a report from staff on
May 3rd with strategies to improve the permitting process. At that time, the process of issuing a
building permit was taking about 20 days. Planning and Zoning were turning around land use
applications, site plans, and stormwater plan reviews within 1 to 2 days. Environmental Health site
evaluations were taking approximately 10 weeks to complete.
Ms. York said on May 21st, staff provided a written update to the Board on the improvements
being implemented in both Inspections and Environmental Health. At that time, building inspections
were being conducted within 1-2 business days, with the turnaround time for the permit including
plan reviews, being completed in 14 business days. The Express Plan Reviews were being rolled out
later that week to expedite service.
Ms. York noted that on June 15th, staff provided another written update to the Board,
addressing questions about the permitting process. At this point, the turnaround time for a building
permit within the Inspections Department had improved to 10 business days.
Ms. York said that in August, Chairman Powell expressed his expectations for the
Inspections, Environmental Health, and Planning and Zoning Departments’ permitting process and
the following report provides a follow-up to improvements being implemented in these departments
and addresses the permit timeframes that can be expected.
Assistant County Manager, Katherine Cathey shared the following Permitting Process
Improvement Plan Update presentation:
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New Positions Approved May 3
An Environmental Health Specialist position was added, and the new employee began
work on August 30. On September 9, he was authorized by the state to begin site
evaluations.
A Chief Building Inspector (Level 3) position was added, and the selected candidate
declined the job offer. Although Level 3 certification is preferred, a Level 2 inspector
would enable the department to redistribute the inspection workload (alleviating the need
for some overtime) and complete plan reviews more quickly. A second recruitment period
closed on September 9. We recruited for a Level 2 or Level 3 inspector and received six
applications. None of the applicants met the minimum qualifications. Staff will consider
options for restructuring the new position to attract qualified applicants and address
operational needs. Options may include a Level 1 inspector, a Plans Examiner (Level 2 or
Level 3), a Customer Service Representative or other role.
Contract or Temporary Assistance
The Inspections Department was unable to find a qualified inspector who was available
to serve in this capacity. Since the Environmental Health Division has been able to
onboard an experienced employee, the utilization of a contract employee will not be
necessary at this point.
Residential and Express Plan Reviews
The Inspections Department implemented an express review process. Approximately 10
plans have been reviewed through this process. When staff receive an application with
engineered plans, they put it at the front of the line, and it receives expedited approval for
a building permit. Builders who have taken advantage of this process have been happy
with the quicker turnaround, and the process has not delayed other plan reviews.
Applicants for Environmental Health services also have the option of expediting the
permit process by using private engineers and soil scientists.
Energov Implementation
Environmental Health, Inspections and Planning & Zoning are all utilizing the Energov
system. The system is now available for customers to submit permit applications online.
Customers may also submit payment, correspond with staff, update information, and track
the status of their application through the web-based customer self-service (CSS) portal.
(Planning & Zoning has temporarily halted online permit applications because workflows
need to be reconfigured in the system. The department is issuing permits and accepting
payments through Energov.) Paper applications are still accepted in each department and
are manually entered into Energov by staff. A required system update will be performed
by Tyler Technologies on September 23. Person County’s Energov system may be down
on September 24 to address any issues that arise from the upgrade. Staff will provide a
demonstration in the new Energov system at an upcoming Board meeting.
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Permitting Timeframes
Since April 2021, the average timeframe for completing an environmental health site
evaluation has been reduced from 10 weeks to 7 weeks. The county’s goal is to issue
improvement permits within 30 calendar days. The state requires Health Departments to
issue improvement permits within 60-90 calendar days of application submittal, and we are
currently meeting that target. Fewer applications have been submitted in recent months,
and some applicants have utilized the expedited permit options.
Environmental health services have been prioritized by the Board of Health to ensure the
division fulfills its primary mission of protecting public health. “Site evaluations for new
construction” are categorized as medium priority, and there are many other environmental
health functions that are a higher priority. Site evaluations require field work and are time-
consuming. They are scheduled around other activities, such as inspections and
investigations of existing infrastructure and services that could potentially pose a threat to
public health if not addressed in a timely manner.
When all of the paperwork is correct for Planning & Zoning (land use application and site
plan and stormwater, if applicable), the zoning permit is issued in two to three business
days. As with other steps in the permitting process, when the customer has something
missing or wrong on the paperwork, that timeframe depends on how soon they make the
corrections.
The timeframe for issuing a building permit has been reduced from 20 business days to 10-
14 business days (for approvals from Planning & Zoning and Inspections). Incomplete
applications and/or issues that must be corrected slow down the approval process. Fewer
applications have been submitted in the months following the spring rush.
Inspections staff has kept up with next-day inspections by working overtime, particularly
in the southern part of the county. When the inspector assigned to southern properties is
busy, the other two inspectors are tasked with completing site plan reviews without his
assistance.
Ms. Cathey indicated the target timeframe for the complete process, as indicated on the
slide below, is 34 business days once the new Energov is fully implemented.
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Each of the challenges listed above demanded many, many hours of staff time that would
otherwise have been dedicated to their normal job duties, therefore contributing to delays
in issuing permits at various times throughout the past 18 months. Energov was planned
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but time-consuming as staff dedicated a considerable amount of time to training and
configuring the system. COVID-19 and the cyber incident were unanticipated, prolonged
events that strained staff time, pulled Environmental Health employees into vaccination
clinics, and impacted morale and wellness. Increased development activity and staff
turnover are challenges that may occur in any year, but when combined with the other
exceptional events of 2020, these challenges have pushed staff to the limit as they have
diligently worked to meet expectations.
Additional Information
After Hours Response
The Inspections Director has a county cell phone and responds to urgent calls, texts, and
Facebook messages after hours. Although his regular work schedule is 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
which corresponds to established county office hours, he routinely adjusts his schedule to
conduct inspections early in the morning, in the evening, and on weekends to meet
customers’ needs. In addition, he has conducted video inspections while on vacation.
Most department heads are not required to be on-call 24/7. Outside of established office
hours, they are expected to be generally available, occasionally check messages, and
respond when necessary.
Customer Service Survey
A link to a Customer Service Survey is available on the Inspections Department website.
During the week of September 13, staff began emailing customers to encourage them to
provide feedback through the survey after receiving their permit(s). In addition, staff have
provided the link to customers who received service in the past six months. Staff will
review survey responses, recognize successes and make improvements, as needed.
Environmental Health Manpower Study
On September 9, the Division of Environmental Health completed two manpower studies
for the Person County on-site wastewater and wells programs. The first study indicates the
need for 2.6 full-time employees (FTEs) solely dedicated to the on-site wastewater and
wells programs without the required operation and maintenance program that the county
stopped due to staffing and other demands. The second study includes the operation and
maintenance program and indicates the need for 3.4 FTEs solely dedicated to the on-site
wastewater and wells programs.
Currently, three Environmental Health Specialists (formerly 2.0 FTEs, now 3.0 FTEs with
the addition of a new employee this month) support the on-site wastewater and wells
programs and also cover migrant housing inspections, childhood lead investigations, and
tattoo inspections. They also assist with office coverage when needed. Based on the state
report, the county will be approximately 1.0 FTE short if the operation and maintenance
program is reinstated, since staff is also working on other programs and activities in
addition to on-site and wells.
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The Energov system will produce reports that are quick to run and provide additional useful
data. In order for these reports to be accurate and convey the information requested by the
Board (number of permits denied, timeframes and reasons for denial), all applications
would need to be entered by the customer and tracked within Energov. Not only would this
help with accurate reporting, it will more effectively utilize the new system and staff time.
Although this approach would fully utilize the Energov system, there are many customers
who would be unwilling to submit their applications online due to being one-time
applicants or lacking the necessary technology resources or knowledge.
Staff will continue to evaluate the reporting features available in Energov as more data is
entered into the system and revise monthly reports to better reflect each department’s
workload and outcomes.
Ms. Cathey said Energov could benefit the contractors as they would not have to come into
the office, although, contractors could continue to come into the system to submit its
application. She added all applications would be entered into the Energov and a status
would be provided in the system. Ms. York reminded the group a demonstration of the
Energov would be provided to the Board at a future meeting.
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Next Steps
Customer Service Improvements
There is a perception of poor customer service amongst some members of the Person
County community. Years ago, all development services departments were co-located in
one building in order to create a “one-stop shop” for permitting. The Energov system will
enhance the “one-stop shop” experience and create more efficient processes by
streamlining workflows, enabling development services departments to share information
through the system, and allowing applicants to view the status of their permits online with
a single login.
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Although we have created a “one-stop shop”, physically and electronically, the reality is
that citizens are still working through the unique requirements, stipulated by state and local
law, of three different departments/divisions. Our customers may not know who to contact
regarding a particular matter or understand how the coordinated process flows from one-
step to another and the timeframes involved.
Staff has considered the opportunity presented by Energov to add a Customer Service
Representative (CSR) position that would staff the counter, providing a physical presence
to greet the public and serving as an answering point for general calls and emails for all
development services departments. The CSR would serve as the intake person for permit
applications submitted on paper or through Energov and would be available to help
customers navigate the application process on public kiosks or remotely. In addition, the
CSR would be cross-trained on the basics for each department and prepared to answer
questions as they arise or direct questions to the appropriate staff member. The CSR would
monitor the flow of permit applications through Energov, follow-up when there is a delay
(internally and with the applicant), and facilitate a quicker approval process and more
timely communication. The support provided by this new position would free up time spent
by current staff who are manually entering applications and taking credit card payments,
provide a more seamless experience for the public, and improve overall satisfaction for all
involved in the permitting process.
Commissioner Palmer suggested a customer service representative would be beneficial to
the contractors to which Ms. York stated could potentially be an enhanced level of service.
Reporting
The Inspections Department and Environmental Health Division report workload measures
on a monthly basis (most recent reports attached). Both of these reports are created by
manually aggregating data that is maintained in Energov and on paper. It is a time-
consuming process. Staff does not have a standard method for tracking incomplete permit
applications. Generally, when an incomplete application is presented at the Inspections
window, staff returns the paperwork to the applicant and explains how to resubmit a
complete application. If missing information is discovered after the application has been
accepted, staff notes the missing information and contacts the applicant. The application is
then put on hold pending their response. Staff has not identified an efficient means of
tracking this information as it is handled differently in each department. At the Board’s
request, staff will manually compile this information on a monthly basis to include as an
addendum to their reports.
Chairman Powell stated his memo was prompted due to the number of complaints received
by the Board and wanted to remind each department manager to review its goals and
objectives as they are extremely important to the growth of Person County. He indicated
he would like to continue to receive the monthly reports to have a more clearer
understanding.
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Powell wanted to compliment the many volunteers working to better
Person County on county boards and committees.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
County Manager, Heidi York addressed the question related to the county’s
workforce being required to be vaccinated noting she was awaiting further guidance. At
this time, Person County does not have a requirement for vaccination and/or weekly testing.
COMMISSIONER REPORT/COMMENTS:
Vice Chairman Puryear had no comments.
Commissioner Palmer asked the County Manager if any vaccine requirement would
include the commissioners to which Ms. York stated there was no guidance on that subject
at this time.
Commissioner Sims reiterated he participated on a Mechatronics Advisory Board
and has not served on any committee related to the Advanced Technology Center (ATC).
He said he would ask the college representatives if land had been donated for the purpose
of the ATC. Commissioner Sims noted his plan was to request that an update from the
EDC Task Force be placed on the Board’s agenda as to his knowledge the Task Force met
last in May and questioned if the Board needed this Task Force or if it was a waste of the
good folks’ time that were volunteering; he added Commissioner Gentry said a report
would not be ready until November. Commissioner Sims reported he attended a Business
After Hours event that included a Ribbon Cutting for Empire Egyptians operated by Jillian
Whitlow; in addition he celebrated with Cole’s Pharmacy attaining 65 years in business.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer and carried 4-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 10:59am.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves Gordon Powell
Clerk to the Board Chairman
(Draft Board minutes are subject to Board approval).
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10/4/2021
Dept./Acct No.Department Name Amount
Incr / (Decr)
EXPENDITURES General Fund
General Government 173,929
Public Safety 24,505
Economic and Physical Development 7,038
Transportation 10,350
Cultural & Recreation 8,761
REVENUES General Fund
Fund Balance Appropriated 224,583
EXPENDITURES Person Industries & MRF Fund
PI-MRF 2,799
REVENUES Person Industries & MRF Fund
Fund Balance Appropriated 2,799
EXPENDITURES Stormwater Management Fund 655
REVENUES Stormwater Management Fund
Fund Balance Appropriated 655
Explanation:
BUDGET AMENDMENT
Carryforward of additional purchase orders and commitments determined to be outstanding as of June 30, 2021. A
reporting deficiency was discovered after the initial list of carryforwards were presented and approved by the Board of
Commissioners in the meeting on 9/20/21. The revised amount of fund balance appropriation for the General Fund required
for outstanding commitments is still reporting significantly less by $852K (versus original report $1.08M) compared to what
was necessary in the prior year. Carryforwards in the Special Revenue Fund categories increase by $202K (versus original
report $199K), primarily related to the City's incomplete Western Sewer Project in the Water and Sewer Reserve Fund.
BA‐6 (CF's‐2)87
10/4/2021
Dept./Acct No.Department Name Amount
Incr / (Decr)
EXPENDITURES General Fund
Culture & Recreation 10,000
Human Services 47,500
REVENUES General Fund
Intergovernmental Revenues 57,500
Explanation:
BUDGET AMENDMENT
Receipt of the LSTA Migration Grant for the Public Library ($10,000) and recognizing Covid funds from the State
for DSS Links Program recipients ($47,000)
BA‐788
AGENDA ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 4, 2021
Agenda Title: Second Reading for an Updated Ordinance Regulating Possession or
Consumption of Malt Beverages or Unfortified Wine on County Property
Summary of Information:
Person County and Roxboro NC, have been chosen by North Carolina Sports, a partner of the North
Carolina Division of Commerce and Tourism, to be one of the host sites for the Mountains to Coast
Ride (a 7-day bicycle ride across NC) on October 5, 2021. The Huck Sansbury campus will be the
main location hosting overnight stays of tourists from around the United States, including CA, TX,
FL, CO NE, MO, VA, CT, ME, PA, TN, IN, MI, OR, GA, MD, DE, SC, NM, KS, KY, OH, MT,
LA, IL, WI, WV, and NC. Approximately 800 to 1,000 riders and their families are expected to visit
Person County for this event.
During a planning meeting on June 29, 2021, Chip King, the event director from North Carolina
Sport, advised our committee that it would be a good idea to have refreshments, a small beer garden,
and food trucks for a short duration as the riders arrive at the finish line. He said that many host sites
allow licensed alcohol vendors as it is a great added feature that tourists enjoy during their welcome.
During the August 4, 2021 Person County Recreation Advisory Board meeting, this was discussed
as a desirable feature for the event. The board voted unanimously to move forward with requesting
approval from the Person County Board of Commissioners to repeal the current ordinance and adopt
a new ordinance with a provision added alcohol to be served or sold at authorized special event
locations on County property with the required Person County Special Event Alcohol Permits and
North Carolina Alcohol license and event permits.
The Board of Commissioners, at its meeting on September 20, 2021, voted 4-0 to adopt the new
ordinance as presented. A majority vote is required at the Second Reading to adopt the new
ordinance.
Recommended Action:
Adopt the updated Ordinance Regulating Possession or Consumption of Malt Beverages or
Unfortified Wine on County Property
Submitted By:
John Hill, Director of Recreation, Arts, and Parks Department on behalf of the Person County
Recreation Advisory Board
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Ordinance Regulating Possession or Consumption
of Malt Beverages or Unfortified Wine
on County Property
Whereas, N.C.G.S. 18B-300 authorizes a county to regulate or prohibit the possession or
consumption of malt beverages or unfortified wine on property owned, occupied or
controlled by that County; and
Whereas, in May of 2008 the Person County Board of County Commissioners enacted
an ordinance which prohibited use or consumption of malt beverages or unfortified wine
on all property owned, occupied or controlled by Person County: and
Whereas, The Person County Board of County Commissioners desires to prohibit the
possession or consumption of such malt beverages or unfortified wine on most property
owned, occupied or controlled by the County and to regulate the use of such beverages on
other property.
Now, Therefore Be It Ordained by the Person County Board of County
Commissioners:
Section 1- The ordinance adopted on March 2, 2015 prohibiting the possession or
consumption of malt beverages and unfortified wine on County property is hereby
repealed.
Section 2- No person shall possess open containers or consume malt beverages or
unfortified wine on property owned, occupied or controlled by Person County except in
those locations specified below and in accordance with an approved Person County
Permit and a North Carolina State Alcohol Beverage Permit:
Mayo Park Amphitheater in the concrete seating areas directly in
front of the stage, the grass seating area directly in front of the stage in an area
200 feet long by 130 feet wide and in the stage area within 50 feet from the left,
right and back of the stage, and
Mayo Park Environmental Community Center within the center and
within 50 feet from all sides of the building, and
Kirby Cultural Arts Complex within Gallery front room (main gallery),
Community gallery (Hallway) and main theatre seating area (both upstairs and
downstairs), and second floor galleries, studio/event rooms, and reception areas,
and
Person County Museum Grounds within the museum and no closer than
50 feet from the property line, and
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Authorized Special Event Locations that would be a location other than
those listed above if the Board of Commissioners approves an authorizing
Resolution for a special occasion or event, at a specific location for a specified,
limited period of time
Section 3- Definitions. The definitions of “malt beverages”, “unfortified wine” and
“open containers” shall be as defined in Chapter 18B of the North Carolina General
Statutes.
Section 3- Penalties. Violations of this ordinance shall be a misdemeanor as
provided for in N.C.G.S. 14-4.
Adopted this the 4th day of October 2021.
_______________________________
Gordon Powell, Chairman
Person County Board of Commissioners
Attest:
_______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves, NCMCC, MMC
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
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AGENDA ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 4, 2021
Agenda Title: Authorizing Resolution for Special Event Location
Summary of Information:
Person County and Roxboro NC, have been chosen by North Carolina Sports, a partner of the North
Carolina Division of Commerce and Tourism, to be one of the host sites for the Mountains to Coast
Ride (a 7-day bicycle ride across NC) on October 5, 2021. The Huck Sansbury campus will be the
main location hosting overnight stays of tourists from around the United States, including CA, TX,
FL, CO NE, MO, VA, CT, ME, PA, TN, IN, MI, OR, GA, MD, DE, SC, NM, KS, KY, OH, MT,
LA, IL, WI, WV, and NC. Approximately 800 to 1,000 riders and their families are expected to visit
Person County for this event.
The Person County Recreation Advisory Board requests that the Person County Board of
Commissioners adopt a resolution to allow alcohol to be served at a specific location, on the Huck
Sansbury Recreation Complex property, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. by a licensed and
insured Alcoholic beverage vender, business, or company.
Recommended Action:
Adopt a resolution authorizing the possession or consumption of malt beverages or unfortified wine
on the Huck Sansbury Park property owned by Person County, located at 425 Long Ave., Roxboro,
on October 5, 2021, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. for the Mountains to Coast Ride special
event.
Submitted By:
John Hill, Director of Recreation, Arts, and Parks Department on behalf of the Person County
Recreation Advisory Board
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Authorizing Resolution for
Special Event Location
WHEREAS, Section 2 of the Person County Ordinance Regulating Possession or Consumption of
Malt Beverages or Unfortified Wine on County Property provides that “No person shall possess open
containers or consume malt beverages or unfortified wine on property owned, occupied or controlled
by Person County except in an authorized location and in accordance with an approved Person County
Permit and a North Carolina State Alcohol Beverage Permit”; and
WHEREAS, the Person County Recreation Advisory Board requests approval for the authorized
possession or consumption of malt beverages or unfortified wine on the Huck Sansbury Park property
owned by Person County, located at 425 Long Ave., Roxboro, on October 5, 2021, between the hours of
1 p.m. and 6 p.m. for the Mountains to Coast Ride special event; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Person County Board of Commissioners approves the
request and authorizes staff to issue a Person County Permit for the authorized special event location.
Adopted this the 4th day of October 2021.
Gordon Powell, Chairman
Person County Board of Commissioners
Attest:
Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
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AGENDA ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 4, 2021
Agenda Title: Stormwater IAIA Project Update
Summary of Information:
In the summer of 2012, Person County adopted the Falls Watershed Stormwater Ordinance for New
Development in the southern portion of Person County. In 2018, the Upper Neuse River Basin
Association (UNRBA) begin exploring alternative options for meeting the Stage 1 requirements of
the stormwater regulations. The Interim Alternative Implementation Approach (IAIA) was adopted
earlier this year by the UNRBA and approved by the state. It is the goal of Person County
Government to satisfy its obligation to the North Carolina State Division of Water Quality’s
Stormwater regulation requirements under the IAIA.
During the May 17, 2021 Board of Commissioners meeting, the stormwater team presented three
potential projects that would fulfill the county’s stormwater regulation obligation under the IAIA
program. The board authorized staff to proceed with the projects as presented.
The stormwater team will provide an update on two project locations, the County Farm and Rock
Athletic Complex, along with staff’s recommendations for how to proceed with IAIA program
implementation.
Recommended Action:
Receive project update for two project locations: County Farm and Rock Athletic Complex.
Submitted By:
Lori Oakley, Director of Person County Planning and Zoning Department
John Hill, Director of Recreation, Arts, and Parks Department
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