JACKSON COUNTY PLANNING BOARD  MINUTES  Date: April 13,2023 Time Begin: 6:00 p.m. Time End: 7:34 p.m.  Location: Department on Aging, Heritage Room  Members Emily Moss Sandy Davis Brian Barwatt Adam Holt Staff Present: Michael Poston- Planning Director Anna Harkins- PlannerI Allison Kelley- Administrative Assistant III Call to Order and Quorum Check Approval of the Agenda Approval of the Minutes itc carried unanimously. Public Comment There were: no public comments. New Business  Present Absent X X  Present Absent X X X  Present Absent X X  Nathan Shepherd X Ollin Dunford X Joyce Cooper Ken Brown  Thomas Taulbee Beverly Crespo Vacant X  Chairman Thomas Taulbee called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and a quorum was present. ChairThomas Taulbee made a motion to approve the agenda as written, and it carried unanimously. Joyce Cooper made ai motion to approve March 9, 2023 minutes. Ollin Dunford seconded the motion, and  a) Outdoor Lighting Discussion  Ms. Harkins stated the Board came to the consensus to further look at the county Outdoor Lighting Ordinance to modernize and update the language. Within the comprehensive land use plan, the outdoor lighting goals and objectives are in the Natural Resources section that include  the following:  Ensure that all County facilities are Dark Sky compliant.  Create an educational outreach program for contractors, designers, and homeowners Update the Outdoor. Lighting Ordinance to address modern technology and practices. Collaborate with local retailers that stock outdoor lighting to provide information about Ms. Harkins stated the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) reviews and suggests lighting practices and technology that decreases light pollution. The IDA does not commonly use the term "dark sky compliant" anymore, and instead use the terms "dark sky friendly" and "dark sky approved." Dark-sky friendly refers to the recommended lighting practices that help to reduce  regarding Dark Sky compliance. Dark Sky compliance.  1    light pollution, like shielded lights and automatic cut offs. Dark-sky approved is the seal of approval that the IDA gives to lighting products certified to minimize glare, reduce light trespass and help protect night sky. Ms. Harkins stated they are not trying to meet compliance with the IDA, but taking their practices and suggestions to incorporate into the ordinance. Jackson County's Outdoor Lighting Ordinance is administered by the Permitting and Code Enforcement Department, and is not applied in the Cashiers Commercial Area or the planning jurisdiction of any incorporated municipalities as they have their own set of lighting standards. The. Jackson County Outdoor Lighting Ordinance covers regulations for the following:  Detached Single Family Homes Multi-family and Non-Residential Lighting for Special Applications: Lighting for vehicular canopies Outdoor sports field/outdoor performance areas Lighting of buildings Permanent sign and billboard lighting Holiday/festive lighting Landscape lighting Areas ofConcern for Outdoor Lighting Regulations: Inefficient compliance process. and light trespassing.  Difficulty in administration, specifically in calculating allowed lighting power/wattage Newer technology and trends in lighting like LEDs, solar powered landscape lighting, automatic shut-off security lights are not addressed within the regulations. The Board unanimously recommended staff to proceed forward with modernizing the Outdoor Lighting ordinance and bring back additional information at the next meeting.  b) Jackson County Land Use Plan 2040 Discussion  Mr. Poston stated the purpose of the Comprehensive Plan is to create a guiding policy document for the County in addressing the impacts of growth over the next 25 years. The plan examines existing development trends and growth. It also provides future growth projections and identifies goals and objectives that are designed to manage growth. In addition, the plan includes as section that guides how these goals and objectives can be implemented over a 25-year time period. Mr. Poston stated the land use plan was adopted in 2017, and as of today, the state of North Carolina requires any county or municipality that exercises any zoning authority must have ac comprehensive plan that must be updated and valid. The industry standard in the planning field  is to review and update long-range plans every five to seven years.  Comprehensive Plan Update Process Steering Committee formed in 2014. Administered aj public survey.  Steering Committee began research and presentations of plan elements. o Education, Public Health, Recreation, Land Use, etc. Steering Committee broke out into Sub-Committees: for each plan element. Sub-Committees: formed goals and objectives for each plan element and brought Planning staff created an action plan/mplementation schedule for each goal. Steering Committee held 5 public meetings to receive comments on the plan. 65 comments received and incorporated into the implementation schedule. The Committee refined the document based on the public comments received to  them back to the Steering Committee for review. Sylva, Cashiers, Tuckasegee, Qualla and Savannah.  create the final draft.  2    Received recommendation from the Committee and Planning Board to take the  plan to the Board of Commissioners. Population estimation for 2015=41,265 people 2014 Census median household income = $38,928  Jackson County Demographics  Population growth from 2000 to 2010 was the highest in the Cullowhee Jackson County experienced the highest population growth in the surrounding NC Office of State Budget and Management estimates Jackson County's  Township.  counties-21.59% from 2000 to 2010.  population to be 44,873 by 2030 and 47,271 by 2040. 1/5ofcounty population is between. the ages of 18 and 24.  Education Major Goals:  Build technology infrastructure to provide equity and access (broadband to Provide workforce housing for faculty and staff to promote recruitment and  remote areas). retention.  Support pathways to vocational jobs.  Promote physical activity to promote al healthy lifestyle.  Safe Routes to School  Public Health Major Goals:  Promote healthy eating and provide access tol healthy food options. Community gardens on public land, food sustainability plan.  Promote physical activity. Provide support toj prevent substance abuse. supported by the County. populations. Infrastructure Major Goals:  Provide adequate healthcare access to residents through multi-agency approach Support the animal control policies that provide safety to human and animal  Establish an asset management plan that is progressive and fiscally sound. Provide open communication between utility providers through a Utility O Sky Fi, Verizon Wireless, Frontier, Balsam West, TWSA, Duke and Expand reliable high-speed internet access and mobile phone access across the  Consortium to include all utilities: natural gas.  County. Natural Resources Major Goals:  Promote efficient use of limited infrastructure resources.  Preserve the habitat for identified endangered species. Preserve and protect natural habitats and corridors for migrating wildlife. Encourage development that minimizes impervious surfaces. Encourage development that is compatible with the natural environment.  3    Limit commercial and industrial development along the Tuck and other trout  waters.  Protect the County's natural view-scape. Ensure that the County is Dark Sky compliant. Maintain a robust and sustainable tourism destination. County wide high speed broadband availability.  Economic Development Major Goals:  Build a workforce that will: meet the needs of current and future employers. Create a marketing campaign for Jackson County to support existing business  and attract new business.  County reserve land for economic development purposes. Commit tol becoming an entrepreneuralsmalr business capital.  Maintain and enhance quality of life for citizens, tourists, and small business  owners. Housing Major Goals:  Increase housing opportunities for a broad range of income levels and ages Promote housing for WCU (students, faculty, and staff) that is compatible with Promote housing conveniently located to access alternate modes of transportation Invest in strategic public improvements (pedestrian and recreation facilities) in existing communities to encourage appropriate residential development in the  (owning, renting, and transitional). the community, safe, and conveniently located. ino order to minimize the use of single passenger vehicles.  communities. Transportation Major Goals:  Promote connectivity between schools, housing, business districts, recreation and  community centers.  Provide a variety ofmulti-modal transportation options. Improve safety for pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Educate citizens about alternative modes oft transportation. Maintain transportation capacity for freight. Enhance and support aviation infrastructure and facilities. Maintain and enhance County transportation corridors. Promote and expand local and regional transit options.  Recreation Major Goals:  Provide access to recreational opportunities near all major communities in the Develop a Special Events Program to host large-scale events, increasing Parks and Rec Dept. to invest in sustaining programs and expanding Develop a multi-faceted program to expand bicycling as a form ofr recreation and  County.  visitation to the County and generating revenue for the  opportunities. active transportation.  4    Build, operate, and maintain an indoor pool in Cullowhee, suitable for hosting year-round swim meets for youth, fitness classes, and for physical therapy. Identify our past and present historic and cultural resources and events to Educate and communicate with the community and local governments.  Cultural Resources Major Goals:  document them.  Create partnerships with thel EBCI, WCU, etc. Become a Certified Local Government.  Land Use Major Goals:  Balance future growth with the protection oft the natural environment. Ensure that development regulations meet existing and future challenges and Preserve the County's agricultural heritage and expand agricultural opportunities. Maintain partnerships and coordinate planning efforts along the growth corridors. In addition, Mr. Poston highlighted the land use section goals and objectives with the action item, lead agency, partners and timeframe. In addition, he stated staff would continue moving forward and would bring back more information and details regarding updating the Jackson County Land Use Plan 2040. Currently, staff is working on a report on what they have accomplished, and what still needs to be completed as a community. The Board asked staff to invite Jackson County Economic Development Director Tiffany Henry to discuss broadband at a  opportunities.  Promote sustainable growth policies.  future meeting. Adjournment adjourned at 7:34 p.m. Submitted by:  With no further business, Vice Chair Nathan Shepard made a motion to adjourn, and the meeting  lisackilwy Allison Kelley  AA  Thomas Taulbee Planning Board Chairman  Administrative Assistant-I Planning  5