MINUTES

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

COUNTY OF HENDERSON DECEMBER 6, 1999

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners met for a regularly scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Commissioners= Conference Room of the Henderson County Office Building at 100 North King Street, Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Those present were: Chairman Grady Hawkins, Vice-Chair Bill Moyer, Commissioner Renee Kumor, Commissioner Don Ward, Commissioner Marilyn Gordon, County Manager David E. Nicholson, Assistant County Manager/Interim County Attorney Angela S. Beeker, and Clerk to the Board Elizabeth W. Corn.

Also present were: Staff Attorney Jennifer O. Jackson, Public Information Officer Chris S. Coulson, Planning Director Karen C. Smith, Finance Director J. Carey McLelland and Fire Marshal Rocky Hyder.

CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME

Elizabeth Corn called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Chairman Hawkins led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

INVOCATION

Jim Crafton gave the invocation.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Elizabeth Corn stated that the first order of business was to elect a Chairman for the coming year and she opened the floor for nominations for Chairman.

Commissioner Kumor nominated Commissioner Bill Moyer.

Commissioner Ward nominated Commissioner Grady Hawkins.

There were no other nominations so the Board was polled.

Commissioner Ward - Commissioner Hawkins

Commissioner Kumor - Commissioner Moyer

Commissioner Hawkins - Commissioner Hawkins

Commissioner Moyer - Commissioner Moyer

Commissioner Gordon - Commissioner Hawkins

Commissioner Hawkins will be the Chairman for the coming year, effective immediately.

Mrs. Corn turned the meeting over to Chairman Hawkins.

Chairman Hawkins thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve as Chairman again. He also thanked the Board for their attendance at the many extra meetings that were held this year.

ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

Chairman Hawkins nominated Commissioner Moyer. Commissioner Kumor moved that the nominations be closed. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Mr. Moyer was elected by acclamation.

DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT OF AGENDA

Chairman Hawkins made an agenda change under Staff Reports - F-2 will be MSD and F-3 will be Strategic Planning for Children.

Chairman Hawkins asked for item A under Staff Reports to be moved to the consent agenda - ADana Fire Department Lease Purchase Agreement@ as item AI@.

Chairman Hawkins asked the Board to add one item to Nominations - Notification of Vacancies as #2. Fire Commission. This is the Fire Commission that is required by the NC General Statutes.

Chairman Hawkins added item AE@ to Discussion Items - AEnvironmental Advisory Committee@.

Commissioner Ward added one item to Staff Reports as F-4 AJail - Change Orders@.

It was the consensus of the Board to approve the above changes to the agenda.

CONSENT AGENDA

Commissioner Kumor made the motion to approve the Consent Agenda. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

The CONSENT AGENDA included the following:

Review/Approval of Public Official=s Bonds

Pursuant to NCGS 58-72-20 and the Board=s Rules of Procedure, after the Chairman and Vice-Chairman have been elected, the next order of business at this organizational meeting of the Board is the annual review and approval of the bonds for county public officials. The following are the county officials required to be bonded:

George H. Erwin, Jr., Sheriff $100,000.00

Nedra Whitlock Moles, Register of Deeds $200,000.00

Terry F. Lyda, Tax Collector $1,000,000.00

Darlene B. Burgess, Deputy Tax Collector $500,000.00

J. Carey McLelland, Finance Director $200,000.00

The respective bonds for the above-referenced officials were reviewed.

Jennifer Jackson reported that the bonds appear to be valid and in order with only the following exception. The bonds for both the Sheriff and the Register of Deeds must be payable to the State of North Carolina and as written the bonds are only payable to Henderson County. The Staff Attorney recommended that an endorsement be obtained to revise those two bonds to be payable to the State of North Carolina. With that endorsement, approval was recommended.

Minutes/October 19, 1999

Minutes were submitted for review and approval of a special called meeting on October 19, 1999.

Lease of Property Adjacent to Broadpointe Center

Since April of 1997, the Board has on an annual basis approved a lease to Carland Farms, Inc. of approximately 28 acres of property located adjacent to Broadpointe Center. A map of the area was part of the agenda packet. The most recent lease was effective from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999 and allows Carland Farms, Inc. to continue to farm the land it has farmed for years.

Wayne Carland has requested that the Board consider leasing the tillable land to Carland Farms, Inc. from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2000 for a rental amount of $1,834.00. As the plans for the park areas on this property have not been finalized to the point that development of the park areas will begin during calendar year 2000, Staff recommended that the Board lease the property to the Carlands as outlined in the proposed lease. The lease agreement that is proposed is substantially similar to the current lease executed by the County and Carland Farms, Inc.

Pursuant to NCGS 160A-272 (made applicable to counties by NCGS 153A-176) the County may adopt a resolution authorizing the execution of a lease agreement, such as the one proposed, without public notice. A draft resolution was part of the agenda packet for the Board=s consideration.

Staff informed the Board it would be appropriate for the Board to take action at this meeting with respect to Mr. Carland=s request by adopting the proposed resolution.

Henderson County Financial Report - October 1999

The Henderson County Financial Report for October 1999 was presented for the Board=s review and approval.

Henderson County Public Schools Financial Report - October 1999

The Henderson County Public Schools Financial Report for October 1999 was presented for the Board=s review and approval.

Tax Collector=s Report

Terry F. Lyda, Henderson County Tax Collector, submitted the tax report for the period through December 7, 1999 for the Board=s information.

Resolution - Elbert Capps

Staff had prepared a draft resolution honoring Elbert Capps for his many years of service to the Green River Fire Department and to this community.

Fletcher Elementary - Resolution Authorizing Installment Financing

The Board, at its meeting on November 29, 1999, indicated a willingness to consider financing the construction costs of Fletcher Elementary through an installment purchase contract financing arrangement as allowed by NCGS 160A-20. A proposed resolution authorizing such financing and outlining the key terms of such financing was part of the agenda packet for Board review and consideration. The resolution also directs staff to request financing proposals consistent with the terms outlined in the resolution for this project. The adoption of this resolution is the first of several steps in this financing process. A proposed timetable which outlines the steps was presented for the Board=s information.

If the Board desires to utilize an installment contract to fund the construction costs of Fletcher Elementary School, Board action to adopt the resolution would be appropriate.

Dana Fire Department Lease Purchase Agreement

Dana Volunteer Fire and Rescue is in the process of a lease/purchase of air bags for rescue purposes. They requested a signature from the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners verifying their status with Henderson County. A draft letter had been prepared for the Chairman=s signature.

NOMINATIONS

Notification of Vacancies

The Board was notified of the following vacancies which will appear as ANominations@ on the next agenda:

1. Nursing/Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee - 3 vac.

2. Fire Commission - 3 vac.

Nominations

Chairman Hawkins reminded the Board of the following vacancies and opened the floor to nominations:

1. Hendersonville City Zoning Board of Adjustment - 1 vac. (alternate)

There were no nominations at this time so this item was rolled to the next meeting.

2. Nursing/Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee - 2 vac.

There were no nominations at this time so this item was rolled to the next meeting.

3. Apple Country Greenways Steering Committee - new committee

There were some nominations at the last meeting. Chairman Hawkins discussed briefly the Interlocal Agreement Establishing the Apple Country Greenway Commission. Each governmental unit was given the opportunity to appoint a professional staff member or volunteer. Chairman Hawkins asked if the Board wanted to appoint the staff for Henderson County.

Commissioner Moyer recommended placing Tim Hopkin and Nippy Page as Henderson County=s staff to the committee.

There was some discussion concerning meeting space and equipment for the committee. Commissioner Ward asked the County Manager if it is Henderson County=s place to provide space, does he know of space to offer for staff for this committee? David Nicholson said he would have to research and try to locate an available office area.

Previous nominations to this committee had been: Dennis Honnold, Ken Weitzen, Bill Ferrell, George Cagle, Alan Baker and Erica Thompson. The Clerk polled the Board. Each Commissioner got three votes. The following were appointed:

George Cagle, 3 year term

Alan Baker, 2 year term

Dennis Honnold, 1 year term

4. Transportation Advisory Committee - new committee

There were no nominations at this time so this item was rolled to the next meeting.

HOMEBUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Representatives on the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium from Henderson County and the City of Hendersonville have developed a proposal to establish a Homebuyers Assistance Program utilizing HOME funds. This program will provide cash assistance for down payments and closing costs for low to moderate-income residents of the County. The program is focusing on individuals who earn 50%-80% of the median income for Henderson County.

Our two representatives on the Consortium are Dot Moyer and Selena Coffey. They were both present and answered questions.

Chairman Hawkins made the motion to approve the Homebuyer Assistance Program and seek funding on this program. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Y2K PREPAREDNESS PLAN

The Commissioners had previously been given a copy of Henderson County=s Y2K Preparedness Plan. Rocky Hyder explained that the Plan establishes a program of community awareness and preparation in the event of possible negative effects of the Year 2000. He reviewed the plan in some detail with the Board. He also explained that the Commissioners= Meeting Room would be the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as needed. Rocky explained that the anticipated major effects of Y2K on our community are similar to what we would experience in a winter storm situation.

Chairman Hawkins thanked Rocky for all the hard work that he and the members of the Emergency Planning Committee had put into this plan, as well as many staff members.

RECREATION DEPARTMENT - Naming of Field Four

Rick Harris, Director of the Recreation Department, informed the Board of the recent death of APop Messer@. APop@ worked at the Recreation Department for 25 years. He was a faithful worker and an integral part of the community. His death came as a shock to the Recreation Staff. The Staff felt that a good way to show gratitude to APop Messer@ would be to name a field at Jackson Park in his honor.

The letter requesting permission read as follows: AThe Recreation Department recently lost a member of it=s family to a heart attack, Lynn APop@ Messer. His untimely death left everyone shocked and dismayed. Mr. Messer has been working with the Recreation Department and the Adult Softball Program for over 25 years. The staff has recommended that we acknowledge his work by dedicating Field #4 in his memory. Therefore, I am writing the Board to request permission to rename Field #4 to APop Messer Field@. I know the community wishes to remember Pop for all the time and dedication he exhibited at Jackson Park.@

Commissioner Ward made the motion to name Field #4 ALynn >Pop@ Messer Field@. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

NEW FACILITY PLANNING

The County Manager, Project Manager and Architect all concur that the Department of Social Services, the Public Health Department and the County Departments that are located at the Land Development Building can be relocated to the new facility and therefore, this project could proceed, based on Board approval. There are several issues that need to be resolved but no Ashow stoppers@ at this time.

There are no issues involving the relocation of the Sheriff=s Department and Finance Department to 100 N. King Street. Should this project proceed, the current Health Department Facility, the Nuckolls Building and the Land Development Building can all be eliminated. Also, the lease for the McCalister Building could be terminated.

David Nicholson requested approval to proceed with plans to:

C Relocate the Department of Social Services, Public Health Department and the Land Development Building departments to the proposed new facility.

C Relocate the Finance Department and consolidate the Sheriff=s Department into 100 N. King Street.

The County Attorney and their Attorney continue to work on the lease agreement.

Bill Blalock stated that all the classic engineering/technical studies of the building are complete except one and there is nothing of any significance in any of them. Building and grounds are completely viable.

There was some discussion regarding parking versus number of employees working in the building. Bill Blalock explained that 247 employees would occupy the building. The preliminary parking plan shows 280 parking spaces on the 4.68 acre property. The City of Hendersonville requires at least 320 parking spaces. The County is looking to finally have more than is required by the City. Stuart Stepp stated that the Zoning requirements are one parking space for every 200 square feet.

The question was raised regarding the potential to build an additional building on the property at some future time for use by Trend or some other agency. The answer was that it was not possible on the 4.68 acre property but that there was the possibility of acquiring additional adjoining property which would make it feasible for an additional building and associated parking.

Staff=s request was approval to proceed.

Commissioner Gordon stated that the Board of Health had a special meeting last week and reviewed this project in a lot of detail. The Board of Health appointed a subcommittee to work with Stuart Stepp and Bill Blalock in helping to facilitate the process and making sure that the Health Department=s needs are addressed in the design. The Health Department did a study of their facility five years ago and paid a consultant to do it. They came up with plans for remodeling the existing building and greatly increasing their space.

Some of the Commissioners raised questions about when have you approved so much that there is no turning back. David informed them that until the lease is signed, the project could be pulled. David told the Board that he was not looking for a motion from the Board but rather for concurrence to continue the process.

Some Commissioners expressed a desire to finalize the finances and review those in the very near future for this project.

Commissioner Ward stated that he felt we need this building. He asked the Board to let the County Manager carry on his conversations with the two Department Heads and let the Assistant County Manager carry on her discussions with their Attorney to see if it works out. He felt that the project should be taken to the next step and then have a workshop to bring everything back together and to talk about the financing.

Chairman Hawkins stated that obviously the Board is interested in the project but has some reservations about some of the financial aspects. Chairman Hawkins stated that the consensus of the Board is to move on. He requested financial information be presented to the Board either at mid-month December or at the first meeting in January.

INFORMAL PUBLIC COMMENTS

There was none.

CLOSED SESSION

Commissioner Kumor made the motion for the Board to go into Closed Session as allowed pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11 for the following reasons:

1.(a)(6) To consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee.

All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Commissioner Ward made the motion for the Board to go out of Closed Session. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

There was no action following Closed Session.

PUBLIC HEARING - Amendment to section 200-26 of the Henderson County Zoning Ordinance to Allow Garden Nurseries as a Permitted Use in the O & I District (Application #TX-04-99)

Chairman Hawkins made the motion for the Board to go into Public Hearing. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Karen Smith reminded the Board that at the request of a citizen, the Board of Commissioner initiated a text amendment to the Henderson County Zoning Ordinance to allow a garden nursery business as a permitted use in the Office and Institutional (O&I) District. The Commissioners asked the Planning Board to review the amendment and make a recommendation. The Planning Board first discussed the amendment at it=s meeting on September 28, 1999 and decided to send the item to it=s Subcommittee on Special Issues.

The Subcommittee met on October 13, 1999 and discussed how retail business uses were treated in the O&I district. The members also considered the impact of the proposed amendment on all current O&I districts and possible future O&I districts. The O&I district allows Asmall retail businesses within an enclosed space@ as conditional uses. The Subcommittee was not comfortable allowing one particular retail use, such as garden nurseries, as a permitted use, nor did it want to change all small retail uses from conditional uses to uses permitted by right, as it felt that the conditional use process provided oversight for retail businesses in a district that also allows residential uses. Therefore, the Subcommittee voted 3-0 to send the full Planning Board an unfavorable recommendation on amending the O&I district.

The full Planning Board met on October 28, 1999 and discussed the recommendation of the Subcommittee. The Planning Board agreed with the Subcommittee=s recommendation and voted unanimously (9 to 0) to send an unfavorable recommendation to the Board of Commissioners on the proposed amendment.

In accordance with Section 200.76 of the Henderson County Zoning Ordinance and State Law, a notice of the public hearing was published in the November 22 and November 29, 1999 editions of the Times-News.

Public Input

1. Tedd Pearce - Mr. Pearce spoke on behalf of the Planning Board, as a Subcommittee member. The Committee felt very strongly that if this were to be approved for this particular type of use:

1. When you look at the list of items specifying the types of things that are permitted uses,

a retail concern of any nature isn=t relevant to the choices provided for.

The system of conditional use allows an oversight and whatever change is made here affects not only this one property but all 321 or so acres in the county that have this type of use. It was their feeling to make a change for one item that is not compatible with the general permitted uses in this area, would probably in some ways even be unfair to other people in similar type retail businesses that might feel that they should have to have a conditional use and would probably be revisiting this issue over and over again. This might should be visited somewhere along in the rezoning process, whether or not O&I continues.

He restated the Planning Board=s recommendation that this not be changed at this particular time.

2. Jim Hannen - Mr. Hannen presented a petition to let this small business continue as they have for the last three years. He checked on the property when he bought it to see what he could do with the property. He went to the County Planner which was Matt Matteson at the time. Mr. Hannen stated that Mr. Matteson led him to believe that a nursery was something that he could do with the property. Therefore, based on that information, he bought the property. The current County Planner (Karen Smith) has sent Mr. Hannen a list of things to change about the property which he has done. At the July meeting there was something brought up that he had not complied with and his permit to do business was revoked. Karen Smith informed Mr. Hannen that he would have to start all over again. He stated that the Board of Adjustment at one time had granted him permission to have a fenced in area as enclosed space.

Mr. Hannen stated that what is at stake now in starting over again - the current Board of Adjustment is a different group of people - are they going to allow the enclosed space to include a fenced in area. One of the things that separates a nursery from other types of retail businesses is that other types of retail businesses don=t need to have things outside but nurseries do - plants need to be outside.

Chairman Hawkins asked Mr. Hannen if he was operating in compliance with the current Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Hannen stated he was, all except one issue - where a portion of the fence that he has on the left hand side of the building isn=t hooked up to the building. They have about 40 feet on the back side - there=s a natural barrier there but the County would like to have it fenced in.

In answer to some questions, Karen explained that Mr. Hannen had a conditional use permit to operate a nursery but then the Board of Adjustment found that he was in violation of some of the conditions of his permit. He was given time to comply. When his permit was reviewed he was not in compliance (for a couple of reasons) and his permit was revoked.

Mr. Hannen would have to reapply for a special use permit from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Angela Beeker informed the Board AWhile this amendment, if granted, would allow Mr. Hannen to continue his business, I realize it indirectly affects him. He was the one that initiated the amendment but the considerations are not individual specific when you=re considering as you noted when you opened up - so really the discussion with regards to his individual situation are not really relevant to your determination of whether this is appropriate county-wide or not. That=s really what the Board should be focusing on - do you want to add garden nurseries as a permitted use to all Office & Institutional Districts across the county. If you do, yes Mr. Hannen would benefit but it=s about more than just Mr. Hannen=s situation.@

Commissioner Kumor made the motion for the Board to go out of Public Hearing. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Commissioner Ward made the motion to deny the change in the O&I District. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

UPDATE ON PENDING ISSUES

1. Henderson Highlights

David Nicholson stated that he has been working with the Chairman on a Henderson Highlights year-end presentation that they are looking at possibly putting in the newspaper about the second week of December. It gives the community an update on what the County has accomplished this past year and some of the issues being looked at for the coming years. It will be a folded document and inserted into the newspapers. The printing cost is about $700 and the insertion charge is about the same.

2. MSD

David Nicholson shared a letter with the Board that he proposed to send out with the Board=s approval. The Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) is having a strategic planning retreat some time in January. He has had conversations with some of the MSD Board members about the retreat. He spoke to Bill Mull, who is the General Manager of MSD, last month and said some of the issues that they will be reviewing are some of the issues that Henderson County needs to address in the Cane Creek District. David thinks it is important that the MSD Board hear some of the items that Henderson County has coming down in the next couple of months that will certainly affect our allocation, the growth in our district, and other issues. David requested some brief time on MSD=s agenda. He asked the Board=s approval to send the letter asking that Henderson County formally be placed on their agenda for a brief presentation on the future of Cane Creek.

3. Strategic Planning for Children

Commissioner Kumor had given the Board a memo and the Board had also received a copy of the letter that the Children and Family Resource Center sent to the Board.

As we got into the Strategic Planning Process, you became very concerned that the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council not be the lead in the community - to make sure that the community understands that this is an inclusive process and that we will not just be looking at delinquency prevention issues. That was discussed at the JCPC meeting of which the Chairman of the Family Resource Center is a member and he stepped forward and asked to take the issue to his Board and his Board accepted the proposal which was before the Board in a letter from Spence Campbell as the Chairman of the Children and Family Resource Center - that they would like to take that leadership role and move forth with this process.

Commissioner Kumor stated that because we received that letter, she wanted the letter sent back to Spence telling him it was received and the Board agrees with the way this process will be done and agree with the Children and Family Resource Center taking the leadership in this planning process.

Chairman Hawkins felt that someone should be included from the Faith Community. Commissioner Kumor stated that the Faith Community had been listed as a major key group to be included.

Commissioner Moyer stated his support. He was concerned in prior discussion of where this would be housed. He felt this was a reasonable compromise. He felt the representation of the various groups would be good. He felt that it is very important to have a group that tries to prioritize the issues facing our children so we don=t keep getting these things one at a time.

Commissioner Kumor stated that one of the other things that the Children and Family Resource Center is proposing is that as these plans are developed and all the data collected, it will all be available at the Children and Family Resource Center so that the community can always have access to information. Hopefully that process will make sure that studies aren=t lost.

Commissioner Moyer made the motion that the Board endorse the concept and authorize the Chairman to send the appropriate correspondence. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

4. Jail - Change Orders

Commissioner Ward would like to limit change orders as much as possible. He stated that he would like to see a dollar cap set and authorization to the County Manager for approving some of them.

Staff will investigate this and bring back a proposal to the Board. David Nicholson stated that he had planned to discuss Change Orders as part of the agenda for the next meeting. He informed the Board that he would bring a proposal back at the next meeting, December 15. IMPORTANT DATES

Chairman Hawkins reminded the Board that a December 16 workshop had been scheduled on the Historic Courthouse and it was omitted from the calendar. It will be at 1:00 p.m. at Kaplan Auditorium in the Henderson County Public Library.

Commissioner Ward asked if it would be possible to reschedule the December 13 Budget Workshop. The Board set a Budget Workshop for December 22 at 2:00 p.m.

Set Public Hearing to Review Proposed Amendments to Special Use Permit #99-02

for Creekside (Application #00-02-A1)

Set Public Hearing to Review Proposed Amendment to Special Use Permit #93-13

for Carriage Park (Application #93-13-A4)

Chairman Hawkins made the motion to set a Public Hearing for both these (Carriage Park and Creekside) for January 7 at 11:00 a.m. as Quasi-Judicial Proceedings. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Set Date for Quasi-Judicial Proceeding on Request for Variance from Subdivision Ordinance - Proposed White Lakes Subdivision

Commissioner Kumor made the motion to set a Public Hearing for White Lakes Subdivision for December 15 at 11:00 a.m. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

The Board set a Sewer Workshop for December 29 at 11:00 a.m.

Chairman Hawkins called a brief recess, a television timeout to change tapes.

WCCA - Update

David White, Executive Director for WCCA, addressed the Board. He introduced the new Board Chairman, Mr. Harold Carr, who was in attendance. He also introduced Dotty Effinger, this year=s Treasurer for WCCA, re-elected to her second term as treasurer.

Mr. White then briefly discussed some of the current activities of WCCA and some of their plans for the upcoming year.

WCCA is currently serving approximately 170 low income 3 and 4 year olds in the Head Start Program in the county. They also have 450 families that participate in the section 8 housing program. Apple Country Transportation has provided over 85,000 passenger trips to the elderly, disabled, and low income residents of Henderson County to employment, medical services, shopping, and the Council on Aging=s Program at the Sammy William=s Center. Recently WCCA, in collaboration with DSS and Interfaith Assistance Ministries (IAM), began operating the TANIF Emergency Assistance Program, the crisis intervention program. They are seeing clients both at IAM and at WCCA. They have expanded to some evening hours at the WCCA facility.

They are also working on a collaboration currently with the Henderson County Schools, opening a new Head Start Center in the eastern part of the county. They got a grant to provide Head Start services for an additional twenty children.

Mr. White answered some questions. No action was taken.

PROPERTY ADDRESSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Chairman Hawkins reminded the Board that a couple of meetings ago the Board had asked Mr. Baird to give the Board an update on several questions the Board had concerning the implementation of the property addressing plan.

Robert Baird, County Assessor, informed the Board that all known streets and roads are named and/or identified. Unless it is new construction, they are aware of every street that has two or more houses on it. They are currently dividing the county up into the last implementation into three phases:

Phase I, rural, will begin January 1, 2000 and will be completed by mid March 2000.

Phase II will begin April 1, 2000 and will be completed by mid June 2000.

Phase III will begin in July 2000 and will be completed by September 2000.

Each of these three phases has seven basic steps.

Every single structure in the county has been identified and addresses have been assigned on the system. There are 152 conflicting names in the municipalities and 89 in the county. There are approximately 40 ESNs (Emergency Service Number Areas). There is a meeting scheduled for December 16 where some of these ESNs may be combined. Four major thoroughfares have been identified as:

U.S. Hwy. #64

U.S. Hwy. #25

U.S. Hwy. #176

N.C. Hwy. #191

Mr. Baird stated that he hopes to have a letter of agreement regarding thoroughfares and how they will be handled by numbering schemes by March 1, 2000.

Mr. Baird reviewed briefly the seven steps of each phase:

1. Bell Match (a manual research, reporting function, and computer task to match each

telephone number with a physical location)

2. Public Hearing (for approval of naming and numbering streets, or conflicting road name)

3. Board of Commissioners & Town of Fletcher approval for new addressing

4. Notify Bell South & SCC with new address information

5. Notify Post Office & EMS (prepare maps and reports with old address and new address)

6. Notify citizens of new address with verification information

7. Update county databases

Mr. Baird=s department has come up with a point system for deciding who gets to retain the street name when it is a duplicate. He wanted the Board=s approval of the point system.

Commissioner Moyer stated that he was in support of this and was glad to see a specific plan. Commissioner Moyer made the motion to approve this plan and the point system and that the Chairman follow up with correspondence to the municipalities as well as the postmaster general. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 200-69 and Section 200-70 of the Henderson County Zoning Ordinance to Allow the Board of Adjustment to Review Certain Special Use Permits (Application #TX-05-99)

Angela Beeker reminded the Board of the Public Hearing on November 17 to consider a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to allow in certain circumstances, the Board to delegate authority to hear quasi-judicial proceedings to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. At that meeting the Board requested that a phrase Aupon the recommendation of the county attorney@ be stricken and that has been done on the proposed amendment in the agenda packet. Mrs. Beeker suggested some verbiage changes in both 69 and 70, striking some language and adding additional language. She discussed the reasons for the changes.

Following discussion, Commissioner Moyer made the motion to adopt the amendments as presented today by Mrs. Beeker. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

REFERRAL OF AMENDMENT TO SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR MARGARET R. PARDEE HOSPITAL (Application #SP-46-96 A1) TO BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Karen Smith reminded the Board that this application has been submitted by Pardee Hospital and Hospice. It is an amendment to an existing special use permit. Through the application, Pardee proposes to add an adult day care facility to the property. Pardee Hospital and Hospice have also submitted an application for a conditional use permit to the Board of Adjustment. The Board of Adjustment will consider it simultaneously with the special use permit. The conditional use permit is to actually allow the day care. Day care is a conditional use in Office & Institutional Districts. The special use permit amendment is to amend the actual permit to allow another structure on the 10.5 acres.

Karen Smith stated that any referral that the Board of Commissioners does under the amendment just passed must be by resolution. A draft resolution was prepared for the Board=s consideration.

Commissioner Moyer made the motion, upon recommendation of the County Attorney, that the Board not hear this and refer it to the Zoning Board of Adjustment in accordance with the prepared resolution. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE - add-on per Chairman Hawkins

Chairman Hawkins stated that in the Charter for the Environmental Advisory Committee there were about three things for the committee to review, one of which was grants for greenways. Now we have a greenway committee. There are a lot of areas where the environmental advisory committee can be involved.

One item Chairman Hawkins would like for them to research would be alternative fuels for fleet vehicles. He=d also want them to pursue the cost effectiveness of this idea. He spoke briefly about air emissions, cost of fuel, cost of operation, longevity of engines, etc.

It was the consensus of the Board to have the environmental advisory committee research this idea. Chairman Hawkins will send information to the committee on this.

CANE CREEK WATER & SEWER DISTRICT

Commissioner Kumor made the motion for the Board to go into Cane Creek Water & Sewer District. All voted in favor and the motion carried.