JACKSON COUNTY PLANNING BOARD  MINUTES  Date: February 13, 2020 Time Begin: 6:14 p.m. Time End: 6:42 p.m. Members Bonnie Claxton X Sandy Davis Jeremy Hyatt Kirk Shufelt Staff Present:  Location: Jackson County Department on Aging, Heritage Room  Present Absent X  Present Absent X X X  Present Absent X X (BY PHONE) X  Tamera Crisp Brad Waldrop X MarkLetson Mary Sue X Casey  Scott Ogle Steven Johannessen Tommy White  X  Michael Poston- Planning Director Caroline. LaFrienier- PlannerI II Heather Baker- County Attorney Allison Kelley- Administrative Assistant Call to Order and Quorum Check Public Comment There were no public comments. Approval of the Agenda ito carried unanimously. Approval of the Minutes the motion, and it carried unanimously. a) Cullowhee Small Area Plan  Vice Chairman Mark Letson called the meeting to order at 6:14 p.m. and a quorum was, present.  Bonnie Claxton made a motion to approve the agenda as written. Tommy White seconded the motion, and Tamera Crisp made a motion to approve the minutes from January gth, 2020. Bonnie Claxton seconded  New Business  Ms. LaFrienier presented to the Board the process of creating the Small Area Plan. Staff held al kick-off meeting on March 4t, 2019 with stakeholders (over 30j participated). In April staff gathered public input and distributed an online survey to the community, WCU students, and received over 300 responses. Other opportunities forj public input and involvement includeda3 day design charrette, a walking tour of Old Cullowhee, visual preference activities, tabling on WCU's campus to gather student input and a coffee talk. Staff then spent a couple of months in plan development before bringing a draft back to the steering committee (Cullowhee Planning Council and a WCU student representative) for review and edits. After several revisions were made to the document, aj public hearing was held on January 28", 2020, and the Cullowhee Planning Council recommended adoption at their regularly scheduled meeting on February 3rd, The Small Area Plan will establish a framework for accommodating growth and development while maintain the character, environmental quality and livability of the area. The  2020.    plan looks at existing plans and studies for the Cullowhee area, the existing conditions and analysis of demographics, land use, environmental restraints and the economy. The plan also looks at and creates goals for future land us, housing and economic development, infrastructure,  parks, natural resources and cultural recommendations.  The vision and overarching goals for Cullowhee are as follows:  Build Cullowhée'si image and identity and promote business and economic  dévelopment Increase housing options natural beauty  Grow. in aj predictable, context appropriate manner  Provide recreational opportunities and protect, enhance and respect the area's  Enhance multi-modal transportation options compatibility with existing neighborhoods Revitalize Old Cullowhee mobility options  The following are recommendations examples based on the vision and goals:  Improve the design ofi new housing development to reduce conflict and improve Develop programs and initiatives to encourage biking and walking and enhance Study preservation, environmental education and restoration opportunities along Ms. LaFrienier requested that the Board consider recommending thej plan to the Board of Tommy White made a motion to recommend. adoption oft the Cullowhee Small. Area Plan to the County Commissioners. Tamera Crisp seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously, Mr. Poston stated over the last seven years, the North Carolina Bar Association, and NC Planning Association and other groups have been discussing the land use section ànd modernizing their enabling statutes. Enabling statutes are the regulations that give authority from the state to implement zoning, and development regulations. He stated there are two different sections for counties and cities, and there has been many issues as the documents as they have added to the regulations, and not updated since the 50s or 60s. Mr. Poston stated in 2019 the stated adopted Chapter 160D, which combines both sections for counties and cities that have Mr. Poston informed the Board staff would be looking to amend the ordinance in the sections where 150A is referenced, and replace with Chapter. 160D and other new required language within the ordinance. There are new requirements by the state statute such as oath of offices, conflicts of interest that will make it more challenging in smaller communities. These new regulations requires those that want to have zoning authority must have a comprehensive plan. He stated Jackson County has a comprehensive plan, but small towns would be impacted by this change such as Dillsboro and Webster. Mr. Poston stated the county has until the end of2020  the Tuckasegee Riyer and Cullowhee Creek Protect cultural resources int the Cullowheea area  Commissioners for adoption.  b) Discussion of New State Statute Changes  clarified modernized language.  to make these changes to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).  Census 2020 Update  Mr. Poston informed the Board that on March 12H staff expects the first mailing to be sent out from the Census Bureau. Staff has collaborated with the county libraries and Department  2    on Aging to allow those that dor not] have access to computers to taket the Census. He statedmany people worry about confidentiality, and there is high penalties fornot adhering to that. The numbers that are reportedi ist the raw data, nots specific data andi that would release 72years later, and iti is forhistorical researcha and genealogy research. He stated George Washington' University conductedas studyt that $1,623 dollarsist thej per capitarelationshipt with federal funding North Carolina receivest through local programs. Staffhas] had: stories regarding the Census in the Sylva Hearld and Crossroads Chronicle. Mr. Poston asked thel Boardt to encourage community members to fill outt the Census. On February 27th staffwould! hold a community meeting at2 pm and 6 pm at the. Jackson County] PublicLibraryi in the Community! Room. In addition, on! February 25that2 pm and 61 pm in Cashiers theyy willl havea community meeting at the AIbert Carlton Community Library in the Community! Room. These community meetings will inform the public how they would be contacted to taket the Census. Mr. Poston stated ai numerator: may knock on your door, or drop offCensus from at doori iftheyhave not registered, and: a mobile unit will go throughout the county. The Census wouldl be advertised on the radio, and they radio is producing a short video with community membersi inj public health and the school system speakingabout how the Tommy White asked: staffhow the WCU students wouldaffect the Census, Mr. Poston stated the students that live on campus, thel housing department wouldreport: as group quarters. However, students that live off campus it would! be like any other reporting, staffis determining the best way to reach outt to those offcampusa as most off campus apartments have post office boxes. Mr. Poston stated Lanel Perryi is the Executive Director for student outreach, and theyl have two Census Fellowsthat: arei interning college students fort the Census. Staffplans to meet with Mr. Perry andi the Census Fellows to discuss thel besti method to communicate with students that live off campus, and they mighti use thes samemebodofbhemohle unit. In 2000Jackson County voluntary responserate fort the Census was 48%, andi in 2010itv was 70%1 that wast tied last with  Census affects their programs.  Graham County the westernregion.  Adjournment  With no further business, Tommy) White madeai motion to adjourn the meeting. Sandy Davis seconded  the motion and thei meetinga adjoumedat6.42p.m.  Submitted by:  lbdlny  Allison Kelley Administrative Assistant  Mark Letson  ZA  t-Planning  Planning Board Vice Chairman  3