September 2017
Village of Forest Hills Council Meeting Minutes September 5, 2017 6:00 P.M. @Jackson County Rec Center, Cullowhee NC
The Council meeting for the Village of Forest Hills was held at the Jackson County Rec Center, Cullowhee, NC at 6:00pm on September 05, 2017. The following members of the Council were present: Mayor Kolleen Begley Councilmember Carl Hooper Councilmember Clark Corwin Councilmember Sharon Stovall Councilmember Niall Michelsen
The following Non-Council members were present: Stephanie Gibson, Clerk Matthew Metcalf, BH Graning Paul Heckert, Planning Board Member Mike Byers, WCU Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance Randy Eaton, WCU Athletic Director
Work Session
The work session adjourned at 6:25 pm.
Council Meeting
Mike Byers and Randy Eaton asked to discuss the WCU Golf Practice Facility concept with the Village Council, they said they had been approached by Chris Green who owns the property where the former golf course at Forest Hills was located, to see if WCU would be interested in purchasing a piece of property to construct a golf practice facility on. They said the area was a good location for campus but that they would like to see how the Village felt about the idea and what would be required or allowed based on the ordinances and zoning for such a facility to be built within the Village. Mike said that the university has an interested benefactor in a golf facility. Randy said that golf bays are familiar at other universities; he said that they basically need an area with sand for hitting and putting and a building with roll up doors for year round practice. Councilmember Corwin noted that the area is zoned as mixed use and asked if there was a facility built would it be available for residents to use as well. Randy said the facility would be solely for student use unless WCU and the Village were financial partners in developing the facility. Councilmember Corwin inquired about the tax revenue for the Village if a facility were built; Mike noted that WCU is tax exempt so there would not be tax revenue. Randy noted that the golf team was a maximum of 20 students per year and that they really only needed a field and green. Councilmember Corwin said that he would like to see the Village and WCU work together, he mentioned the housing needs. Mike said that WCU no longer facilitates housing for faculty but that they are aware of housing needs and that he would be interested in discussing housing ideas with the Village. Mayor Begley invited Mr. Byers to a future work session in November to discuss further. 6. Approval of Meeting Minutes: August 1, 2017 Regular Council Meeting – Councilmember Hooper made a motion to accept the August Council Meeting Minutes, Councilmember Stovall seconded the motion, unanimously accepted. 7. Acceptance of Financial Report & Checklist for the month of August, 2017: Councilmember Corwin made a motion to accept the Financial Report for August; Councilmember Hooper seconded the motion, unanimously accepted. 8. Public Comment: None 9. Reports: Mayor’s Report: No ordinance violations to report. Mayor Begley provided copies of a revised development concept from the buyer interested in the parcel behind the Village entrance sign. She noted that the number of student housing units has been reduced and the revised concept appears to fit the Village’s mixed use ordinance including a variety of housing types and light commercial options. She also noted that the unique residential-looking small units and building designs will fit in better with the mostly residential Village than the large student housing facilities currently in Cullowhee. Mayor Begley noted that this property was in the ETJ area so zoning/land ordinances only apply. The ETJ area does not have a vote and the Village does not receive tax revenue from them. Only if a property were voluntarily annexed would this change, and the responsibility for more than zoning would be shifted to the Village. If the hired planner for the Village should go forward and meet with the developer and the county personnel to discuss the concept further. Mayor Begley suggested that each Council member send her emails with suggestions and comments that needed further discussion. Councilmember Corwin made a motion to direct the Village planner to set up a meeting with the developer and the County planner to review the concept plan and address any questions, Councilmember Michelsen seconded the motion, Councilmember Stovall agreed, and Councilmember Hooper declined. Planning Board: Councilmember Corwin made a motion that Paul Heckert be appointed to the Planning Board for a three year term; Councilmember Hooper seconded the motion, unanimously agreed. He will be sworn in at the Clerk of Court. Councilmember Corwin made a motion to continue the Council Meeting on September 18, 2017 at 6:00pm prior to the Planning Board Meeting; Councilmember Hooper seconded the motion, unanimously agreed.
Meeting Agenda Regular Council Meeting – Continued September 5, 2017 continued to Monday, September 18, 2017 6:00 P.M. @ Jackson County Rec Center, Cullowhee NC
The continuation of the Council meeting for the Village of Forest Hills was held at the Jackson County Rec Center, Cullowhee, NC at 6:00pm on September 18, 2017. The following members of the Council were present: Mayor Kolleen Begley Councilmember Carl Hooper Councilmember Clark Corwin Councilmember Niall Michelsen
The following Council members were absent: Councilmember Sharon Stovall
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Begley and Council discussed the new development proposal concept on the ETJ property behind the entrance sign. Council discussed the pros and cons of development and of voluntary annexation. Discussion also included statistics of where faculty live, Councilmember Michelson noting that 53% of faculty at WCU live in Jackson County. Further discussion about the impact of traffic if additional student and/or faculty housing were constructed. Safety & RPO Board: Carl Hooper – Councilmember Hooper said that the next RPO meeting will be held next Monday in Bryson City. He said a traffic violation was the only item on the safety report. Council asked for this report to be expanded to include all violations or calls within the Village whether it’s the Village hired patrol or Jackson County that responds to a call, with the goal being able to analyze the data to find areas where the board may need to focus on doing more. Roads: Councilmember Stovall was absent. Mayor Begley noted that she received a revised paving quote without drainage included from Parker Paving; Councilmember Stovall sent the paving quote received from Black Bear Paving and HMC Paving did not respond. She noted that the paving would have to be done after the drainage repairs were completed which were currently scheduled for the week of October 9th. Planning Board: Clark Corwin – Councilmember Corwin said that the Planning Board is going to review the mixed use changes suggested by J.M. Teague and possibly view a training video if there are enough members present at the meeting. Mayor Begley said that she received an email from a neighbor about a dangerous curve on Teapot Ridge; they said there was limited sight distance when entering the curve. Councilmember Corwin said that the property owner made need to trim bushes for a better view. Mayor Begley said that she would contact Jayne Buchanan on the Planning Board for her input since she is close to the area. Councilmember Corwin gave an update to the board regarding the WNC Mayor’s meeting he attended. Discussions revolved around legislative bills in urban and rural areas. The NC Mayor’s Association is getting involved in groups and talking with Legislators. He asked if the Village wants to join the Association. Councilmember Hooper made a motion to submit an application for Mayor Begley to join the NC Mayor’s Association; Councilmember Corwin seconded the motion, unanimously approved. 4. Unfinished Business:
5. New Business:
6. Adjourn: At 7:10 pm, Councilmember Hooper made a motion to adjourn; Councilmember Corwin seconded the motion, unanimously approved.
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