HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_0342not attend) along with the planning directors, and the planning board chairpersons for the
municipalities attended. Iredell County's Planning Supervisor, the Inspections Director, and the
Iredell County Planning Board Chairman attended. Also, Representative Frank Mitchell,
Representative Mitchell Setzer, Senator Jim Forrester, and Senator Cal Cunningham of the North
Carolina General Assembly attended.
Chairman Tice called the meeting to order.
Comments from Legislators:
Frank Machell: Rep. Mitchell said that at the end ofJune 2000, the state was short ofmoncy,
Ile said that between now and June of2001, the state would be $500 million short. He said that even
though the state was facing difficult times, he had not heard rumors indicating the counties or cities
would be punished. Mitchell said the one cent sales tax increase would not be looked upon favorably
this year. He said the first bill introduced in the House was a lottery bill, and he suspected there
would be several others of this nature.
Cal Cunnin_Tham: Senator Cunningham reiterated Mitchell's statements about it being a tough
budget year. He said he welcomed comments from the cities and counties as the legislative session
continued.
Dr. Jim Forrester: Senator Forrester said that neither party wanted to raise taxes. Ile
mentioned the upcoming redistricting, and he said the "big battle" would be with the Congressional
seats. Senator Forrester voiced concerns about the legislature. Fie said he was in favor of putting
a limit on the legislators' terms of office as well as the length of time the legislature convened.
Forrester said there would probably be an increase in gasoline taxes. He voiced disapproval of the
state diverting state highway funds, that were supposed to go for road improvements, to the highway
patrol department and the schools. Forrester said that in the past ten years, $2 billion had been
diverted.
(Ren Selzer had to leave the meeting early, due to the death ofan acquaintance and visitation
with the family.)
Chairman Tice thanked everyone for attending and adjourned the dinner meeting at 8:15 p nm
Saturday, January 27, 2001 Winter Planning Session
8:00 a.m.
BALANCED GROWTH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: Inspections/Planning
Director Lynn Niblock and Planning Supervisor Ron Smith reviewed the various Balanced Growth
Committee recommendations.
1. Farmland Preservation: It was the consensus of the board to allow the planning staff to
prepare a model ordinance. It was suggested the voluntary Farmland Preservation Program
Ordinance include a five -member advisory board and for three members of it to be actively engaged
in farming. It was also stipulated that no commissioners should be on the committee since appeals
would be forwarded to them. The ordinance would stipulate that two contiguous farms or a
minimum of 50 acres would be needed.
2. Direction ofFuture Growth: It was the consensus ofthe board to allow the county manager
to prepare a proposal detailing time composition of a "Council of Policy
determining future growth. Makers" to aid in
It was also the consensus of the board to allow the planning supervisor to prepare small area
studies. Smith said Highway 70 East and Highway 64 West were two growth areas that needed to
be watched. The board instructed Smith to see if the on-going studies could be done in-house or if
outside assistance would be needed. Smith was also instructed to formulate a priority listing of the
areas that might need studying.