ROCKINGHAM A NI CITY LOOKING FORWARD CITY COUNCIL AGENDA December 12, 2023 6:30 p.m.  1. Opening of meeting by Mayor John P. Hutchinson.  2. Invocation by Reverend Chris Thorton, Pastor of Community Church.  3. Amendments and Changes to Agenda.  4. Consent Agenda:  A. Disposition of Minutes of the November 14, 2023 Regular  Meeting.  B. Tax Collector's Report. (See Pages 5-10)  Informational Items: 1.) Monthly Collection Report  2.) Uncollected Taxes as of November 30, 2023 1.) Refunds per County Assessor's Office. 2.) Discovery bills added to Tax Scroll. 3.) Releases per County Assessor's Office. Abstract of Canvassing of November 7, 2023 Elections  Action Items:  C.  (See Pages 11-13) separately)  D. Approval of Annual Certification of Firemen Roster (enclosed  5.  Administration of Oath of Office to Mayor. John P. Hutchinson.  6. Administration of Oath of Office to Councilwoman Holly L. Howe, Councilman Bennett Deane, and Councilman Gene Willard.  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phone (910) 895 9088 Fax (910) 9976617: wwwgerechingham.com  1    City Council Agenda December 12, 2023 Page 2  7. Appointment City Officials:  A. City Attorney Benny Sharpe B. City Clerk Sabrina Y. McDonald Deputy City Clerk Kim Williams C. Other Appointments:  1.) Delegate to Lumber River COG. (Denise Sullivan currently serving) 2.) Alternate Delegate to Lumber River COG. (Gene Willard currently serving)  3.) City Representative to Richmond County Tourism  Development Authority. (Former Councilman Steve Morris)  8. Business by Planning Board. A. Set Public Hearings.  1.) Set Public Hearing: Set public hearing for a UDO text amendment to Article 4 of the UDO to provide a potential bonus for the edevelopmemt/converson of existing nonresidential buildings to multi-family residential housing.  (See Pages 14-16)  2.) Set Public Hearing: Set public hearing for a UDO text amendment to allow bed and breakfast inns as a permitted use in the Highway Business (B-3) zone. (See Pages 17-18)  B. Hold Public Hearings:  Hold Public Hearing: Hold public hearing for an Ordinance adopting Shaping Our Future: 2033 as the Official Land Use Plan  for the City of Rockingham. (See Page 19)  C. Minutes from Various Boards. (enclosed separately)  2    City Council Agenda December 12, 2023 Page 3  9. Presentation of the FY 2022-23 Audit by Ken Anderson, CPA of Anderson, Smith & Wike, PLLC. (enclosed separately)  10. Business by Visitors. 11. Business by City Clerk. 12. Business by City Manager. 14. Business by Mayor 15. Adjournment.  13. Items of discussion by City Council Members.  Olevy Chvislmas & Sappy Olen eaal  3    Rockingham, NC  City Council Agenda  SUPPORT DOCUMENTS  4    5 6  3  3  5    UNCOLLECTED TAXES  YEAR 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013  AMOUNT 1,907,844.53 48,263.48 16,748.40 9,173.17 6,287.24 5,095.81 4,565.91 4,341.98 4,727.27 5,107.53 7,027.35  NOVEMBER 2023  1,907,844.53 111,338.14 2,019,182.67  Total Current Year Total Past Years Total All Years  6    e 0  )  3 0  8 8  8  o    - 0  5  8  8 o  8    88888 8 8 8  08  00  0 f  8 f  E  8   A  2 3    a 0 8 e e d8  0 0 9  00 f  8 S  10    Richmond County Board of Elections Post Office Box 1843-221 S. Hancock Street 910-997-8253 TelePhone-9104174900 Fax  Rockingham, NC 28379  Carlton L.I Hawkins Chairman Crystal Morrison Secretary Haywood E. Walters, Jr. Member November 27, 2023 City of Rockingham 514 Rockingham Road Rockingham, NC 28379  Randall Benton Member Daphne Stancil Member Shannon Hearne Director  The Richmond County Board of Elections met on Friday, November 17, 20231 for ap post-election canvass. All election results have been finalized. Enclosed is a copy of the Abstract of Votes, the Absentee Abstract of Votes, and the absentee voter list. Copies of the Election Results by Precinct report and the Election Ify you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 997-8253.  Results by Contest report have also been included.  Thank you. Sincerely,  Bha Ahham  Shannon Hearne Director of Elections Enclosures  11    2023 MUNICIPAL ELECTION 11/07/2023 ABSTRACT OFVOTES FOR  RICHMOND COUNT,NORTHCAROUNA  INSTRUCTIONS  The county board shall prepare abstracts of all the ballot items in triplicate originals. The county board shall retain one of the triplicate originals, ands shall distribute one each to the city or town clerk for the municipality and the State Board of Elections. The  State Board of Elections shall forward the original abstract it receives to the Secretary of State. (GS5163-182.6)  STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF RICHMOND  The County Board of Elections for said county, having opened, canvassed, and judicially determined the original returns oft the election in the precincts in this county, held as above stated, do hereby certify that the attached is at true abstract thereof, and contains the number of legal ballots cast in each precinct fore each office or referendum named, the name of each personor choice voted for, their party affiliation (where applicable), and the number of votes cast fore each person or choice fort thei item  named.  Thisi is the 17th day of November, 2023.  binko  Board/Member GENRN Board Member  ts  Ah Cylil hornon  Board Secretary  This day personally appeared before me, Chelbon L Hawkins  Chairman of the County Board of  Elections, who being duly sworn, says the abstract of votes herein contained is true and correct, according to the returns IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial seal this the 17th day of November, 2023.  madei to said Board.  Shax LHars Official Signature of Notary Public  Shannin Harn Printed/Typed Name of Notary Public  ON R. HE NOJAR) - RUBLIC  My Commission Expires: leilbaz -  12    9 3 E 3  4 9 A D -  - 000000088 68  o 000  000000  o o  N00000000  13    Staff Report to Planning and Zoning Board  Agenda Item: IV.A December 5, 2023 Issue:  UDO Text Amendment: City staff has drafted an amendment to Article 4: "Dimensional Requirements" of the UDO to provide a potential density bonus for the cueveopmenyconverson of existing nonresidential  buildings to multi-family residential housing.  Background:  City staff has met with the new owner (Spark Rock, LLC) of the former Woods Warehouse located at 511 S. Hancock Street regarding possible redevelopment plans for the property. The property has been vacant for many years; and a habitual public nuisance for City Code Enforcement because vagrants frequently occupy the building. The subject property is zoned Highway Business (B-3). The new owner isii interested in renovating the warehouse space for multi-family residential development which is allowed as a special use in the B-3 zone. The problem with this concept, however, is the City's density allowances for multi-family development are too restrictive to make the project anywhere near financially viable. The City's maximum allowable density for multi-family development in all the zones that allow multi-family is 8.29 units per acre (5,250 square feet of lot area for each unit). The subject property on which the warehouse is located is 0.9 acres in area; thus the maximum allowable density for the property under current zoning regulations is seven (7) units. (Note: All density calculations are rounded down to nearest whole number.) Based on Richmond County tax records, the warehouse is 36,333 square feet ins size (occupies most of the lot area), which is enough space to accommodate many more units than seven. The expected rent generated from only seven units does not justify the cost of conversion/renovation according to the property owner, and City staff agrees. Therefore, City staff has initiated the proposed text amendment in an attempt to facilitate the property redevelopment. It should be noted that the density issue is not the only problem the property owner will have to overcome with redeveloping the 511 S. Hancock Street site. The ability to provide on-site parking is very limited. The property owner is aware the City will not approve any redevelopment plan for the site that is not in substantial compliance with the City parking regulations in terms of number of spaces provided. The owner is exploring the potential for leased and/or purchased property in close proximity to the site to  accommodate the parking needs for the redevelopment.  Staff Comments:  1. The proposed amendment will create a new Section 4.10 under Article 4 in the City's UDO. A copy of the proposed amendment is included in the agenda packet for the Board's review. 2. As indicated in the proposed amendment, a density bonus is only allowed for existing nonresidential buildings in those zoning districts that allow multi-family residential uses; and such density bonus is only allowed as a special use approved by the Board of Adjustment on a case-by-case basis. The density bonus may be up to a 500 percent increase above that allowed in Section 4.01 of the UDO. 3. The proposed amendment will require substantial compliance with parking regulations as set forth in Article 10 of the UDO; and prohibit expanding the building footprint or height for additional 4. As applied to the former Woods Warehouse property, the proposed amendment would increase the maximum allowable density from seven (7) units to 35 units. As previously noted, the warehouse is 36,333 square feet in area according to the Richmond County tax records. If the warehouse is  residential space.  14    renovated to accommodate the maximum density allowed under the proposed amendment, the 5. As second example of a potential benefit from the proposed amendment is the former County Administration building located at 125 S. Hancock Street. The building is now privately owned, and City staff previously discussed the possibility of conversion to apartments with the current owner. Based on the 0.66 acre lot size, a maximum of five (5) units is allowed with current zoning density. (Note: All density calculations are rounded down to nearest whole number.) With the proposed amendment, the maximum allowable density is 25 units. The building is 29,352 square feet in area according to Richmond County tax records. If the building is renovated to accommodate the maximum density allowed under the proposed amendment, the average gross square footage per 6. The proposed amendment will require substantial compliance with parking regulations as set forth in Article 10 of the UDO; and prohibit the expansion of the building footprint or height for additional 7. City staff views this text amendment as a type of financial incentive to encourage/facilitate investment in some older, either abandoned or underutilized buildings in the community - some of 8. The proposed text amendment is consistent with the City's land use plan in that it will assist in efforts to facilitate new, quality residential developments as a means of expanding the City's tax base, which is an objective under Goal #1. Also, Goal #2 is to improve the aesthetics and overall appearance of the community, and as previously stated, the proposed amendment incentivizes the redevelopment of vacant or underutilized buildings which are often eyesores in the community.  average gross square footage per unit is approximately 1,038 square feet.  unit is 1,174 square feet. residential space.  which of public nuisances in their current state.  Staff Recommendation: amend the UDO as proposed.  City staff recommends the Board review the proposed amendment and recommend the City Council  15    Section 4.10: Density Bonuses for Multi-family Residential Uses in Existing Nonresidential Existing nonresidential buildings or portions thereof located in the B-2, B-3, 0-I, R-7, and R-7A zones proposed for renovation and conversion to multi-family residential units may be permitted to increase the maximum allowable density on the site by up to! 500 percent above that authorized in Section 4.01 provided (A) Any density increase authorized pursuant to this Section shall require a special use permit issued (B) Substantial compliance with parking requirements set forth in Article 10 of this Ordinance shall be required in order for a proposed redevelopment to receive any increase in density pursuant to this (C) Any development utilizing a density increase authorized pursuant to this Section shall not be permitted to increase the existing building footprint or building height for additional residential floor (D) The maximum density authorized pursuant to this Section shall be calculated by dividing the total lot square footage by 5,250, rounding down to the nearest whole number, and then multiplying by  Buildings  the following requirements at met.  by the Board of Adjustment and shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Section.  space. five (5).  16    Staff Report to Planning and Zoning Board  Agenda Item: IV.B December 5, 2023 Issue:  UDO Text Amendment: City staff has drafted an amendment to allow bed and breakfast inns as a  permitted use in the Highway Business (B-3) zone.  Background:  The H.C. Watson house located at 526 S. Caroline Street is for sale and a prospective buyer is interested in operating a bed and breakfast inn at the location. The residence is a large historic home listed on the National Register. In 2005 at the request of the current property owner, the City Council rezoned the property frontage (250 depth) including the residence from High Density Residential (R-7) to Highway Business (B-3) SO the current property owner could operate an antique store from the residence. The B- As set forth in Section 3.05 of the UDO, hotels, motels, and extended stay facilities are allowed as a permitted use in the B-3 zone, but not bed and breakfast inns. During the last comprehensive UDO update in 2003, the Board omitted bed and breakfast inns from the B-3 zone primarily because there were few if any large historic homes zoned B-3 consider desirable for such use. The circumstances have  3 zone does not allow bed and breakfast inns as a permitted or special use.  changed now; thus, City staff drafted the proposed amendment to address the issue.  Staff Comments: Board's review. Staff Recommendation: amend the UDO as proposed.  1. A copy of the proposed amended Section 3.05 of the UDO is included in the agenda packet for the  City staff recommends the Board review the proposed amendment and recommend the City Council  Planning Board Recommendation:  The Planning Board reviewed the request at their regular meeting on December 5, 2023 and recommended unanimously the City Council amend the UDO as proposed in the text amendment.  17    CitvyofRockingham. North Carolina  Unified Development Ordinance Article3: Use Regulations  USETABLE Residential Districts  P=p permitted byr right P*=p permitted subjectt tos standards C= conditional usep permitr required  Nonresidential Districts S 2 E N is  USE CATEGORY Entertainment Horse stables and related (continued) facilities  SPECIFICI USE  W C  Notes C C  Pool hall, gamer room, bingo parlor ands similaru uses Automobile: and motorcycle race track Sexually oriented business Theater (in door) Theater (drive-in) Auditorium, assembly hall Water slide, golf drivingr range, miniature golf, batting caged or similar use Other indoor entertainment facilities Other outdoor entertainment C facilities Bank, financiall institution Office Allt types of office space Allt types of office space in existing commercial buildings Hotel, motel  C P  C P P C P P P C P C  5.22  C  P  C C C  P P P P P P P P C P P P P  5.20 5.20 5.20  P P P P P P P P* P* P*  Overnight Bedandk breakfastinn Accommo- dations Rooming house, boarding house  P P P P  Extended stayf facility Restaurant with onp premise consumption ofa alcoholic beverages ora drive-thru Restaurant without onp premise consumption ofa alcoholic beverages and noo drive-thru window Convenience: store with or without fuels sales Flea marketo ors similar open air market  Self-service Alls such uses Storage Restaurant window  5.21  C P P P P P C P P P P P P P  Retail Sales and Personal Produce market Service  C  C  C  Page 3-7 18    John R. Massey, Jr. AICP Planning Director  ROCKINGHAM A CITY LOOKING FORWARD  MEMORANDUM  To: Mayor John P. Hutchinson and City Council Members From: John R. Massey, Jr., Assistant City Manager  Date: December 4, 2023  Re: City of Rockingham Land Use Plan Shaping Our Future: 2033  The Planning Board and City staff have completed a final draft of the City's updated land use plan - Shaping Our Future: 2033. The plan is the culmination of extensive research and documentation of existing conditions in the community; a thorough effort to collect input from citizens; and the formulation of goals and objectives regarding priorities for growth and development over the next decade. NCGS 160D-501 requires local governments to adopt and reasonably maintain a comprehensive plan as a condition of adopting and applying zoning regulations; and Shaping Our Future: 2033 satisfies this The Planning Board reviewed the final draft of Shaping Our Future: 2033 at their December 5, 2023 regular meeting and recommended unanimously the City Council adopt the document as the City's official  requirement.  land use plan. City staff concurs with this recommendation.  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phone (910) 895 9088 Fax (910) 997 6617 www.gorockingham.com  19    DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITY REPORTS  for  COUNCIL'S INFORMATION  20    POLICE ORIICAROINA KOCK NCH CITYLOON  George C. Gillenwater  Chief of Police  To: Monty Crump From: G.C. Gillenwater Chief of Police Date: December 4, 2023 Ref: November Activity Report  On behalf of the Rockingham Police Department, I am pleased to submit this report for your consideration. The following activities have been undertaken by officers of the Rockingham Police Department.  Total Calls for the Month: Public Service Calls Charges Generating Arrest: Felonies: Misdemeanors: Drug Violations: Juvenile: Citations:  1355 301 16 67 03 01 90 50 05 14 187  Accidents eported/Investigated: Property Damage only: Personal Injury: Officer Hours Spent in Court: Officer Training Hours Logged  9 311 East Franklin Street, Rockingham) NC: 28379 21 910-895-2468  wwgpmaknghamplcom    aN  FIRECHIEF HAROLDISLER ADMIN.ASST. KRISTY PLAYER  4 FIREDEPT. November  We are pleased to submit the monthly fire report on the activities undertaken by the Rockingham  Fire Department during the month of November 2023.  Total Alarms: Turn In Alarms: Wrecks: Service Call: Power line down: 0 Smoke scare: Electrical:  49 0 17 3 3 2  InTown: Silent Alarms: Alarm Malf: Assist Police: Assist Ems: Cooking fire: Bomb Threat:  49 49 5 0 0 1 1  Out of Town: Structure fire: Good Intent: Trash/outside fire: 4 Unauthorized burn: 3 Vehicle fire: Spill/Leak:  0 0 8 1 1  Hours Spent on Calls: 9 hours 22 minutes Total Property Exposed to Fire: Total Property Damaged by Fire: Total Property Saved:  $0.00 $0.00 $0.00  During the month of November members of thet fire department averaged 36 training hours per person; part-paid members averaged 2 hours per person for the month.  Respectfully Submitted, Her b1 Harold Isler Fire Chief  231 S. LAWRENCE ST. ROCKINGHAM, NC 28379 I 910-997-4002  22    ROCKINGHAM A CITY  FORWARD  To: From: Date: Subject:  Monty Crump, City Manager  Dave Davis, Parks and Recreation Director  December 5, 2023 Activity Report  The following is an update of recent and current recreation activities.  Flag Football - Our second season of fall football will conclude Friday, December gth with three championship games being played at Civitan Park. This program has exceeded all of our expectations and appears to be positioned for increased growth in the coming years. Youth Volleyball - Our tenth season came to a close on Monday, December 4th. From number of participants to quality of playi it has been fun to watch and wel look forward to what next Youth Basketball - Registration concluded Tuesday, November 21swith approximately170 children signed up to participate. Try-outs will be held Saturday, December gth and practices  season may bring.  will begin Thursday, December 14th.  Park Maintenance - Although a great deal of our activities have moved inside our maintenance staff continues to perform various refurbishing and renovation work to Hinson  Lake, Browder, and Civitan Park.  On behalf of staff and myself we wish each of youa Merry Christmas and Happy New' Year.  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phone (9101 R95 9088 Fax (910) 997 6617 "wwgoroctingham.con  23