COUNCIL MINUTES

                                                                 VILLAGE OF FOREST HILLS

                                                                               January 26, 2010

The regular meeting of the Village of Forest Hills was continued in the lobby at the University Inn at 6:00pm

on January 26, 2010.

The following members of the Council were present:

Clark Corwin

Carl Hooper

Suzanne Stone

Gene Tweedy

Jim Wallace, Mayor

The following Non-Council members were present:

Kolleen Begley, Clerk

Ron Hancock, Community Development Planner, Division of Community Assistance, NC Dept. of Commerce

(1)    Call to order 6:00pm by Mayor Jim Wallace

(2)    Response from Village to the Southwestern Commission Transportation Advisory Committee RPO  A motion was made by Gene Tweedy that Jim Wallace sign the support for the ‘Resolution Adopting a Comprehensive Transportation Plan’ on behalf of the Village of Forest Hills, seconded by Carl Hooper and unanimously approved.             

(3)    Recap of CURVE (Cullowhee Revitalization Endeaver) meeting attended by representative from the Village.  Clark Corwin handed out his notes to Council from the CURVE meeting he attended on January 21^st on behalf of the Village of Forest Hills.  (Attachment A)  Council discussed that these are preliminary ideas – no hard information has been proposed yet, just some options and possibilities.  Discussion about the importance of the Village being represented at the CURVE meetings.  The next CURVE meeting is Thursday, January 28^th at 9:15am which Clark Corwin will also attend as a Village Council representative. 

(4)    Ordinance revision discussion.    Mayor Wallace handed out a table of contents (Attachment B) for potential ordinance changes with their respective page #’s for reference.  Jim requested that Council adopt the Land Use Plan along with the Zoning Map and Ordinance amendments (referring to Section 103.’Jurisdiction’)  Discussion from Mayor Wallace about what changes he proposes to the Land Use Plan.   Carl Hooper reminded Mayor Wallace that this should not be done all at one time.  Ron Hancock stated that to amend an ordinance, there is a procedure to follow including holding a public hearing and that a resolution by the board is all that is needed to get the Land Use Plan (map and notes) adopted.  Discussion evolved regarding Map and Land Use Plan vs Ordinances.   Jim discussed changes he would like to see in the new potential commercial area zoning recommendations by the Planning Board.  Suzanne Stone asked for clarity on the procedures being followed for these potential changes and stated that she represents the people in the Village and wants input from them on changing anything zoning from residential to commercial.  Kolleen Begley requested that there be no more interruptions when a speaker has the floor in order to properly record the minutes.  Mayor Wallace stated that he wants to hear what Council thinks about changing residential to commercial as well as his personal input regarding restrictions on commercial and the changes he wanted to see in the Planning Board recommendations.  Clark Corwin stated that a Mayor moderates discussion between Council members and expressed concern about Mayor Wallace interjecting himself into the discussion. Mayor Wallace agreed with Clark but stated that the Mayor has always interacted and that he wouldn’t have taken the position if he could not interact.  Clark Corwin stated that he wants to serve in a way that is appropriate.  Gene Tweedy stated he felt Jim Wallace was trying to bring up what has transpired in the past to bring the new Council up to date as well as giving his recommendations.  Clark Corwin stated that he stands corrected but would like to see a more orderly approach to the monthly meetings from here on out.  Mayor Wallace requested response on how Council felt about him contributing to the discussion.  Suzanne Stone stated discussion, not influence.  Clark Corwin stated that without certain procedures in place, there was a lot of discussion that reaches no end.  He stated that Council should follow a Roberts Rule of Order or some parliamentary procedure.  Discussion evolved again about commercial vs residential and restrictions on residential if so adopted.  Council will bring this up to the public at an open hearing as well as get the word out first via mail and/or the Village website. 

       Discussion evolved about the purpose for the continuance was for Council to review the Planning

       Board’s recommendations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

(5)    Council addressed the Planning Board’s recommendations for ordinance amendments.  Mayor Wallace stated that Council is to review the recommendations and give any changes they would like to see back to the Planning Board to revise before notifying the public of the open hearing on changing the ordinances.  Discussion about Planning Board recommendations (recommendations shown in strike outs and highlights on Attachment C)