2026-10-12 - Board of Commissioners

Testing. Testing. Is everybody's mic working? You want to give that a try? Okay, mic's working down here. >> Okay. Good evening, everyone. And I know we're excited to get this meeting started. I want

to welcome you to the board of commissioners meeting, all those who are present and all those who have tuned in online. So, please rise and join me in saying the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge of

allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. >> Elizabeth, can you

call the role, please? Yes, ma'am. >> Mayor Harker >> here. >> Mayor Prom Gillicanin >> here. >> Commissioner Spiegler >> here. >> Commissioner Matthews >> here. >> Commissioner Cooper >> here. >>

Commissioner Leico >> here. >> Thank you. You have an agenda in front of you, unless there's any questions about what's on the agenda. Can I get a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Got a motion on

the floor. All in favor say I. I. >> Okay. Now, we've got about 10 items on the items of consent. Uh, that's the meeting minutes from September the 14th, a special use order for case number 26-22, the

board of commissioners 2027 meeting schedule. We've got a couple of special events coming up. We've got Rolling on Middle. We've got Wobble Down Front Street, uh, Pirate Invasion of 2026, Race to the

North Pole for 2026. We have an authorization to terminate debris agreement with the Garner debris disposal site and also a daily and disaster debris disposal site agreement with Adam Willis and a

resolution for speed limit reduction on Carowway. Unless there's any questions about those items on consent. Can I get a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Got a motion on the floor. All in favor say

I. >> I. >> All oppose have the same right. Now, we're going to move on to our public hearing. Just for the audience, a public hearing. When I open the floor, we will have a presentation of the topic.

The commissioners will ask questions and then I will open the floor to the public to make comments about the topic at hand. So, the first one is going to be case number 26-24. That's an LDO amendment.

That's a state law compliance for off- streetet parking minimums. And can I get a motion to floor open the floor to public hearing? So move. >> Got a motion on the floor. Any further questions? All in

favor say I. >> I. >> All oppose have the same right. Thank you, Michelle. >> Good evening. Um with recent state statute adjustments, we have the requirement um by January 1st, 2027 to adopt some off-

streetet parking minimum changes. Uh these apply to everywhere in North Carolina except for coastal communities except for the historic areas and coastal communities which applies to Bowfort. Um so we

are uh these apply to us strictly in our uh historic areas which is actually a lot larger than you would think. So it applies to our national register district as well as our um study list and

national registers. So these are it's a pretty largely encompassing area but it is required by the state statute change a little bit larger here um just to show it. So we worked with the town attorney

to draft these amendments that closely track the statutory language. We just used their language and pieced it into our existing ordinance. um and it would provide that uh parking minimum prohibition

in this area. That's not to say that parking spaces aren't going to be provided anymore. We're just not making that call for these areas. Um this is a fairly short agenda item. We're haven't done

anything above and beyond what the state's requiring us to do. Like I said, it is effective January 1st. So, we could uh look at it effective today, effective sometime between now or January 1st. So,

uh unless there are any further technical questions for staff, um we would request a public hearing and consideration of the adoption of the amendments. >> Okay. Commissioner Gilligan. >> Thank you,

Michelle. What do you know what precipitated this at the state level? Was it a certain case or certain something that happened in a certain community? >> I don't. >> Neither do I. >> Okay. >> Thank

you. >> Commissioner Piccolo. >> Yeah. There was a question of whether driveways count as off- streetet parking. Um and that it said that we may have to um discuss that or decide on that case by case.

Is there a way that the town can just basically make a statement that says that that off streetet parking of any kind would be exempt so that we just put that to rest? >> So the statute specifically

says um parking lot >> off streetet parking lot and our ordinance defines parking lot at the bottom of the screen an area or plot of land used for the storage or parking of vehicles which I would

think encompasses driveways. So this would include residential, commercial. We don't get the choice by the statute to differentiate between those uses. So it's just everyone. >> Does that help? >>

Okay. >> Sure. As long as we we're in compliance and it's completely exempt. The other question is that there's a $10,000 purse fee, right? Uh as an exemption. Is that correct? There's $10,000 that we

paid to the town for a spot >> for any mixeduse development that doesn't have enough parking spaces. >> So that's that's not just blanket everybody pays parking space fees. >> And if those amounts

were collected by the town, are they restricted >> to acquire property? Yes, I would think so. Would there be a line item in the town's account that say that's that we're holding that only to acquire

property so that we can't use that those funds for anything else? >> I haven't come up against that yet. >> It's a good question. >> Yeah, >> we can we can figure that out. I'm not uh familiar with

the ordinance restrictions on those fees and and how they're to be used, but it certainly could be segregated um on the town's books in a restricted fund, if you will, even if the ordinance doesn't

expressly require it >> or earmarked the way that the parks and wreck fee would be. >> Yes. >> If it comes up, we can certainly identify what procedure needs to be taken. >> Okay. Thank you. I just

wanted to understand how that was going to be accounted for and and what what could be used what it could be used for as well. >> Sure. >> Any questions for Michelle down here? >> When it comes down

to this fee that could be implemented, who's going to go around and assess that there's a violation? >> I'm not sure. The fee isn't new. The fee is not part of the amendment. So, it's not something

that that I've really dove into on this occasion. Um, I think that just would come up and we would navigate it as needed. >> All righty. >> Okay. So, if there's no further questions for Michelle, I'm

going to open it up to the public to make any comments on this particular case. Thank you, Michelle. Is there anyone from the public who would like to make a comment about the case for the parking

requirements? >> Seeing that there's no hands raised, can I get a motion to close the floor to public hearing? >> So move. >> Got a motion on the floor. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay. >> So there

is a request from the staff. like for the board to go ahead and deliberate if you need to before we're going to ask for a motion to uh considering uh the proposed amendment. So, what's the pleasure of

the board? I make a motion that we uh approve case number 26-24 for the minimum parking standard amendment. >> Okay, we've got a motion on the floor. Any additional questions? All in favor say I. >>

I. >> All oppose have the same right. Thank you very much. Now we're going to move on to number two. This is a public hearing. This is a voluntary uh annexation request for 374, 388, 404, and 550

Highway 101. Can I get a motion to open the floor for public hearing? >> Any further questions? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you. >> Welcome, Mr. Baron. >> Good evening, y'all. Again, we're

delighted to be here to to present this project to you folks. Before we get started on the the vision itself, our team is uh voluntarily requesting that the annexation and reszoning associated with

this project be tabled this evening. The reason for the request is we want additional time to seek meaningful public input before the board considers the annexation and the resoning. We'd like to hold

a public meeting to present over crossing to the public to answer questions, hear concerns, and get any feedback that is necessary that the public would like to provide for us. And once we determine

the location, date, and time of that public meeting, we'll coordinate with the staff to uh get the word out. And we're planning this within the next three to five weeks. With that, is there any

questions about about that? >> Any questions for Mr. Baron and his staff? >> All right. With that said, allow us to give an overview of of of the vision for Bowford Crossing. Our goal is to be totally

transparent with this project. This is a long-term project that needs a partner and the partner is the town of Bowford and the staff. With that, we are honored and grateful to present this vision. But

I first want to acknowledge our team for the time that they have uh put together to assemble the land, develop the plan, and get to this moment. I want to acknowledge Lyall Gardner. He's a Bowford

resident. He's been assembled in this real estate, this 80 acre piece of real estate for 12 years. um his his vision and his resources and his land development expertise is the reason we're here

tonight. I'll speak for myself humbly, but I've been blessed to have a 40y year plus career in commercial development, leasing, and management. And I'm grateful to be partnered with uh with Lyall on

this project. I want to thank Baron Properties. We are a local real estate company. Specifically, Diana Kroka, Emily Povich, and Judy Baron for their presentation skills, their thoughts, their

insights, and their ideas about this project. And I want to acknowledge Tidewater Engineering, Josh Edmonson, Jonathan McDaniel. They've provided expertise to take us through this approval process

that we are currently in and to understand the physical features of this project. So, we are on go and ready to go. And last, but certainly not least, the town staff. They've been guiding us through

this process and and been very receptive to helping through the process. Thank you much. All right. This is the location. You can see it in red. It's 80 acres. It's at the intersection 101 and 70

bypass. It's regionally located. It's accessible to the Bowford and Down East marketplace. It's ideal for commercialbased project. that's convenient to the region. It's literally the hub of the wheel

uh for for Bowford and it's un it's unique and rare for to have an opportunity. This does not come to every community and we our opinion my opinion is this is so perfectly placed for this kind of

project because of the location of the two major highways. Uh so um why now why are we asking to do this right now is we think we know that Buffford is growing and the service infrastructure needs to

grow with it. Um number one Buffford and Downeyy's strong residential growth is in need for commercial goods and services. The airport's plans to extend the runway and relocate Highway 101 are

underway. We have completed the 80acre acquisition of property that is needed to develop a commercial and mixeduse project like this and the ongoing construction of I42 makes the Crystal Coast more

accessible to the triangle and points west. U future growth is inevitable but we think that balance growth is highly desirable. As you can see by this map outlined in in white is the existing

condition of the property we're dealing with. >> Keep going. We have broken this project into three sections and you can see the table there. Um, this however is our professional opinion and it's

subject to the marketplace, but we can see this being developed in sections andor phases. It's going to take a, you know, a lengthy period of time. We're thinking five, seven, 10 years uh for

buildout. We've got three points of access planned on existing 101 and a primary collector street will connect the existing 101 to the future relocation of one 10 101 but that has yet to be

determined. It's not in our wheelhouse and it's the airport plans and we are actively engaged with them. >> Okay. So um the services that we plan to put in this development um of course daily

essentials, think grocery, convenience stores, retail and professional services. Um I think more importantly though the health and wellness we think we we need some um medical offices, fitness centers

and wellness providers. Um we know that family needs including child care is really important here, entertainment and community spaces. Um obviously office space for professional, commercial,

government and institutional. Um we of course community. We want to see recreation. We want to see open space, soccer fields, walking trails, greenways and event centers. Um and maybe some community

visitor services of course like lodging, dining and hospitality. >> Yes. Yeah, our design vision is that we want a project that is going to respond to the needs of Bowfort in the Down East trade area,

bringing together all the important goods and services needed to this community and create, you know, creative business innovation opportunities in a mixeduse setting. The focus is on live, work,

convenience, walkability, open space, and community engagement. Our vision includes unified architecture, generous coastal landscape, and a polished streetscape. I want to leave open the possibilities

of having a work live component to this project. B1 uh does not allow for residential. Therefore, it would have to come back through the board to get that approval. >> Um, so community value, um, we

want this to be valued to to our community and a sterner tax base is only part of the story. So, location, access, and visibility. Our highprofile project located at the intersection of 70 and 101 is

ideal for a regionally based commercial project. Um, it's got three points of access, like you said, off one off of 101 and has 3,300 linear feet of visibility along 70. Um, jobs and economic

development, of course, a market driven commercial project creates local jobs, economic development, and business innovation for the community. Uh, community partnerships. So, working with the town

and the airport will be mutually beneficial for infrastructure needs. think roadways, storm water utilities, etc. Um, service delivery value. So, studies have shown that commercial properties generate

municipal revenue at a significantly more efficient rate than the residential properties. Um, not to mention sales tax. And last but not least, site site design. This largecale project provides the

opportunity to unify a design through architecture and landscape and provide for integration for things like environmental factors, social and economic sustainability. >> And kind of in closing, I

would like to point out four points here. Through this process, we acknowledge that this is a significant development for this town and we really want to uh bring about a partnership with y'all over

the years because this could last five, seven, 10 years. And this is why we're tableabling the annexation and resoning request and planning for a town meeting so that we get that public feedback.

Number two, I without the support of the town, we cannot actively market Bowford Crossing with confidence. The annexation and resoning will allow us to go into the marketplace with some assurance, but

subject to site plan approvals by the board. This is not the finish line. It's only the beginning. The town has the authority to review, approve, or deny all site plans. These site plans are required

to address building locations, water and sewer, utilities of all kind, building elevations, landscape plans, open space plans, etc. It will all have to come through you as we bring the marketplace to

you. [cough] And with that, number four, we are grateful and honored to partner with the town and to provide this this commercial village setting that'll meet the needs for Bowford for years to come.

And with that said, I will ask Josh Josh Edmonson to give a a rundown on its specifics of the resoning and the annexation. But first, are there any questions about the the the overall vision that we

have laid out? >> Yes, sir. >> But may I hold until the gentleman finish his presentation. >> Okay. And we could always come back. Yes. And yes, >> and mayor, we've got a separate public hearing for

the actual reasonzoning. So, um, we need to have that discussion during that public hearing. This is just on the annexation. >> Annexation. Okay. So, before we listen to Josh is what you're saying. >>

Well, if he's got something to say on the annexation, that's great. But, um, the reasoning needs to be held for now. >> All right. So, you want to say something on the annexation? So you you have the

map there and I just right now I want to focus on the actual annexation request. Um unfortunately this our area of property over here is not nice and neat as you can tell. Um we tried to highlight

that with a map and show um out of our 82 acres 82.57 acres what properties were currently in the city limits and what properties are in the ETJ. And so our current request um is for 16.46 acres to be

annexed into the city. Um and those are um earmarked by the yellow kind of plus sign on the map. Um they're the properties that we would be requested to bring into the town. um which would leave out

of the total project area if the annexation um was to be successful that would leave 24.35 acres remaining outside of the town limits. All of that is in that phase um C area that Jeff spoke about

earlier that is kind of in negotiation with some land acquisition and um items in with the airport. Um, so at this time that would not be part of the annexation request, but obviously in the future,

um, once we kind of get further along with the airport, we would come back to you hopefully and ask for annexation for that. I believe it's approximately, yeah, 24.35 acres. Um, other than that, I'm

happy to answer any technical questions you guys have about the annexation. Um, if you have anything for me. Thank you. >> Okay. Commissioner Cooper, you have anything on the annexation portion of it?

Uh um >> no. >> Okay. >> Commissioner Matthews >> um the total number of acres, just to be clear, the total number of acres that are currently um within town limits of the development that you're

proposing is how many? Let me I can do some quick math for you if we don't have it. So, let's see. It'd be 82. Let's see. 82.57US >> uh 41.76 is what is totally in the town limits? >> 41.7 >> 76 >> 76

>> Yes sir. >> And of that 41.76 you already have uh the B1 zoning >> 28.62 >> 28.62 >> is currently excuse me 29.6 61 >> 29.61 >> Yes, sir. >> So, you've got 29.61 that has the zoning that you want

of the 41.76 acres that are in within town limits currently. >> Correct. Yes, sir. >> Which could be developed under B1. Now, >> uh potentially maybe I should I talk more about that at the reson. >>

Okay. I can I answer that question when we talk about resoning? >> Sure. >> Okay. >> Um I have a quick question. So you just said that there's 42 acres total for this project. Now that includes if we

were to annex in these four parcels >> that that is not including that request. >> If we annex in those two parcels, we're getting up to almost >> it'd be 57 58 somewhere in there. >> But that's just

for phase one of the project. Is that correct? >> That that would be phase one and phase two. >> And then how many additional acres would there be for phase three? 24.85 >> and the so the total

project would be >> uh 82 >> 57. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. >> All right. Since this has been open up to uh the public for comments, anyone who would like to make a comment about the annexation of

this property. I have a hand raised. Please come up. State your name and address. I can't see you very well, but I see your hand. >> Hi, Ally Christristine, 444 Meeting Street, which is the street

that always floods. So, unfortunately, quite familiar with when developers don't do things exactly the way that they say they will. Um, it's a bit tricky to comment just on the annexation, but I feel

like it's relevant to the entire presentation we heard today. I think we have a lot of expertise amongst the commissioners on environmental impacts and traffic and wildlife impacts and things of that

nature. So I'm not going to belabor those points because fortunately Bowfort the commission has expertise there where a lot of other municipalities don't really have that expertise on board and need

it from outside. So that's great. Um I think I just want to say once you let the genie out of the bottle, it's very hard to get it back in. Um, the way Bowford is right now is very important to a lot

of people who choose to live here rather than Myrtle Beach or Wilmington or Newburn. Um, it's interesting to hear that there hasn't been marketing yet for Bowfort Crossing because I've been seeing it

everywhere online and it's like realtors saying that it's going to be a great opportunity for commercial development for the people who come from out of town and want more luxuries like nail salons.

So, it's very clearly I mean that's almost a verbatim quote. So, it just doesn't seem to be something that is for the people of Bowfort who live here currently, which is um who the board of

commissioners represents. So, I just want to make that point um that we choose to be in Bowfort for a reason. Um and I think my understanding of the future land use map is that this like high

commercial development here is not part of a future land use map since we don't have the UDO yet that staff are working so hard on. I think it's really important we don't set a very dangerous

precedent of going against the little plans that we do have for Bowfort just because the Baron family or somebody else has an idea that they want to pitch us on. So that's mostly what I wanted to

share here tonight. um being careful of times when progress or development are used as euphemisms for a destruction of what we already have on a promise that it'll be better 10 years from now because

things are very important to the people who live here in Bowfort today and are counting on you to represent them and their desires and the town that is so close to us. Um I'm getting really tired of

so many narratives of things being like inevitable like this inevitable huge big growth is coming to Buffer, but the people in this room get to decide what it looks like and when it happens and how

much it is. So I trust that you will take that responsibility seriously. Thank you. >> Thank you. There was another hand raised in the back. Yes. Mean to wake you walk. We could have given you a mic.

I'm sorry. >> Hello. I'm Daffhne Litkin. I've lived here 23 years. Love Bowfort as much as anybody. Oh, yeah. That's right. And I was going to ask y'all to please do this. So, we can hear in the back.

Um, ditto, this young lady with 10 exclamation marks. Um, and that was a very polished request and you did a very good job and we appreciate your interest in public input. It's different than what

we're used to, but it's very polished. Um, I'm here to request a moratorum on development until we get some affordable housing for restaurant workers, firemen, police, teachers, yada yada. Uh,

Buffford Crossing annexation request is starting off with the they've changed it to 16.78 16.46 46, but it's going to be 82.5 instead of 80. And um it's commercial development. Bowfort used to be the

coolest small town in America. I don't think that's long and no longer the truth. Uh we have become generic. We will continue to become generic if you allow all this to happen. We have Kerry East with

Bow Coast. We have Margaritaville with Key West. Next will be a Target or Trader Joe's or a nail a nail place for our new jet airplane runway extension. Some people may not know we're going to get a

jet airplane extension runway. A fact. Once developers get their foot in the door, they change things around and get passed legally somehow. We know that from I won't name names. And oops, by mistake

they might go beyond the boundaries to cut a few trees down and fill the wetlands. Uh my grandfather said years ago, and you need to remember this, please, they're not making any more land. developers

continue to clear cut trees and habitat, cause more impervious surface and flooding, cause a hardship on our aquifer for water and sewer. They definitely cause more traffic, and we're going to end up

needing a new fire truck, additional sanitary station, and who knows what else. Let's just continue to pave paradise to put up a parking lot. Not. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yes, sir. With your hand

raised, you want to come up, state your name, and speak upon the annexation request. >> Good evening. Uh my name is Jay Bumpus from uh 110 Locust Lane and uh been down working on Front Street. We had

a store down on Front Street for 28 years and uh been here since ' 92. Been working with part of the board years and years ago. Um I've seen the development come in and I'm sure a lot of people here

have. I'm sure this gentleman has a really nice project he's working on, but when they say they're going to put up trees and so forth, well, you've seen the trees that they've cut down up there by

Food Lion, they come in, they wipe everything out, as you all know. Um, I've I've gone through several administrations, in fact, seven administrations where they've uh come in and they everyone says,

"Well, our roads got to be taken care of. Our sewer system isn't strong enough. We have to revise this. The water has to be taken care of." Well, this whole development sounds it sounds really pretty

good for developers, but then they say, if you I I've seen the same thing in the advertisements that we don't have nail salons and so forth. We have five nail salons here. As you've all seen, if

you've been here a long time, seen businesses come and go. When I was on Front Street, I saw 282 businesses come and go. I was at 283rd. I saw restaurants and stores open up for one hour where Still

Water is now. Now, the front street grill, Still Water, you lasted 15 minutes. Developers, they come in, they think, well, we're going to do this, do that. Well, take a look at what we do have in the

infrastructure. There'll be traffic out there. The trees are talking about growing, the the amenities of walking around and everything. Get down the street. You don't see people walking as much. I

don't come to Front Street. It's it's a hoardy toy nice kind of a place. But if you think everybody's going to go over there to that that development, well, I hope they do, but I don't think that's

right until we get everything corrected here in town. I don't think we should take on a big project. And if it does, I think we have to dig into our our pockets and dig into our thoughts and think

just what this looks like in your own mind is what's presented up here. It sounds kind of all right. But as you see what what happened down B coast, what happened with with with down one um down

Lennoxville wasn't what was proposed. I know when we first came in and developed down there in Lennuxville completely different supposed to be a cart community. All golf carts if you remember that way

back when you were younger wasn't supposed to be any cars in there just golf cart community. Well that's not what we have now. So just think about what the possibility may be and maybe take a step

back and take a look and see what you want to see in the future and if our town can actually be strong enough to take on like I said the water the zoning and uh go from there. So just uh hopefully

they they can come out and and think about what they're going to plan for the future and let us see what's going to be there on paper. So thank you so very much. >> Thank you. Yes. Well, M. Okay.

Well, Mr. Harper, we're going to get to you next. She's actually Come on out. You're next. Hi, I'm Harriet Alman. I live at 103 Leanda Drive. um some of I'm kind of reiterating some of the things I

already said, but um I just want to start out and say, you know, as a coastal community, we have a huge responsibility because we're the first line of defense in managing our marine ecosystem. And I

think everything that we do, we need to view it through an environmental lens. for example, you know, I know we do have a lot of um expertise as you referred to, but I still think it would be a good

idea before we would take this on to have an environmental impact assessment done. You know, I think that's critical to we've, you know, we know with Bow Coast, we've already lost over 300 acres of

trees and that's contributed to flooding issues. is contributed to loss of wildlife. It's contributed to runoff into our waters and also uh what about our sewage situation? I kept hearing that we were

maxed out on sewage. So what's the deal there? I mean I understand that this I read in the paper that they project 24,750 gallons a day of water and sewage demand. And then of course there's the

traffic impact that we have to think about. Has there been a traffic impact study? So, I think it's really, you know, I think what we are very reactive here sometimes where the developers come in and

they tell us what we need instead of us doing a plan and deciding what we need and then inviting that into our community. So, I think it would be good to stop and and really take an assessment of what

do we really need? We really don't need another grocery store. we really don't need some of the things that they mentioned. Um I did I was going to say that I urged to have another public hearing. He

did of course I appreciate the fact that you're offering you know to do that because I didn't feel like this one was very well publicized and I you know honestly heard it from somebody texted me and

sent me this said oh there's a public hearing. I'm like what? So, I think it's important when there's something this massive that we get as many people in on this as possible and get their opinions.

We've got a lot of smart people in this community and we need to rely on on their ideas and thoughts about this. Um, the extension of the airport runway, that's already a huge concern. And did any of

us even have a voice in that? I don't even understand where that came from or why we're needing that. It's just it just does not make sense to me. So anyway, if we do go forward with this, let's do

have very high expectations of the developer. It sounds like they have a lot of good ideas, but like has already been mentioned, we would want to hold them to the fire on that. We'd want to it all to

be in writing, all to be in contracts. Um, you know, we want to make sure that they do keep as much natural area as possible. Permeable surfaces. We've got we're really running out of permeable

surfaces in this town and it's very concerning and what, you know, what are they going to be giving back to the community. So, um, you know, things just seem like they get out of control sometimes.

And as a community, we need to decide what we stand for and what we expect from developers, from our residents, and from tourists. You know, who are we and what do we expect and who what do we want to

stand for? So, thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Mr. Mr. Harper. >> Robert Harper. Robert Harper 111 Fulford. Um, boy, that just did you read my notes? I mean, that was great, you know, and I

certainly would like to just chime in on the uh permeable imperous surface debate. If we don't feed the little lens of freshwater that's underneath Bowford, all our trees are going to die and we're

going to live on a sandbar. Um, Margaritavville will have come to fruition. So, that's a really big issue that I don't think we really pay enough attention to. Also the public input that was mentioned

um I talk to a lot of people don't feel like they're invited to give public input and it leads to frustration not only in meetings like this but during the regular board meetings where people come and

they sign up before 6:00 and sometimes they sit here until 9:00 at night and they have families to feed, they have kids homework to go over and so therefore their voices are silenced because the

public input section is like it is tonight. It's the very end of the agenda. You know, it should be very first in the agenda. We should make it convenient. >> You have any more comments about the

annexation? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Going on to that. >> Normally, the things I've heard over the last 15 years is a developer comes in and he's got a great idea and he gives it to you and then you say

yes or no. Most of the time you say yes. Um sometimes that's good, sometimes that's bad. There's a that that leads to a dichotomy and some of the attitude about developers are bad, trees are good, and

it's black and white. And it's not black and white. We have a whole lot of guidelines to do a wonderful community here. We pay the public pays a lot of money for like the Cedar Street small area plan,

uh the two entrance plans that we had for this town, but somehow or another when developers come along, we forget that we had a plan. And you look at the KMA plan that we had. We spent a lot of time

on that KMA plan and we're spending a lot of time on the UDO and the developers in this particular situation. I think we've got a unique opportunity to work with them. They're very willing to work and

it is, you know, they were saying tonight, let's do this together as partners. We don't usually get that kind of true attitude from developers. the people up here and the staff of the town need to

work diligently in this huge project to make it good for everybody. But that means you're going to have to work and you're going to have to ask for things like you go to the developer and say, "Well,

you want us to do this? We want you to do that." And I think you can do that. And I've not seen that back and forth in development in this community before. But I think this particular development

group, you have that opportunity. And I think all of you sitting up there really, really, really need to take that opportunity seriously because you can have the buffer that you want and you can have

these guys to help you get that instead of being their adversarial people, you know. So think about it, work hard and make this a really great development when it comes to fruition. >> Thank you. >>

Any addition? Yes, ma'am. Come up. State your name and address, please. >> Hi, my name is Suzanne Lee and I'm at 206 Ocean Street. So, I kudos to others who have spoken tonight. Um, and I'll just

mention something that hasn't been mentioned, and that is the disconnect between the uh the needs of the town to actually move 101 to build the airport. So, there can be a terminal, which is a county

issue, uh, with the 101 that's going to go through the new shopping center. Um, and so the and there's no plan for extending um, 101 and no timeline. So, I'm just curious about how the airport

extension with new terminal will jive with the shopping center and um the movement of 101 and then the fact that the shopping center is so near the new runway extension. Um it I know it somebody said

it meets the FA distances or whatever, but it does seem a little unsafe to have a big shopping center right near the end of a runway for jets. Um, so my concern is really related to the disconnect

between this three-way issue of moving Highway 101, um, extending the runway to for the new airport and then the development of the shopping center. And so it's it seems like it's a county, state, and

town uh sort of vortex that doesn't really seem to be discussed in a holistic way. So that that's one of my concerns is is the disjointedness of how all of this is happening. And then the second thing

I'll reiterate about the water issue. Um so the the demand for uh wells and wellwater access aquifer access and then the water treatment our treatment plant is I mean it's not new that it's overworked

and so how that will also um be addressed uh is is something that I think I mean the site plan obviously the discussion what happened there but I also think that that is something that needs to be

part of the community discussion as as well, is the use of of our water when we're covering more pavement um and more buildings where there's less recharge uh which is what we depend on in our wells.

Thank you. Thank you. >> Anyone else wish to make a comment about the annexation? >> Yes, sir. >> Good evening, mayor. Good evening, commissioners. >> Good morning. >> Um, my question is more

procedural. I think when there's an annexation request, we're required to have a public hearing on it as we are now. And the applicant has asked to table the application because he wants to develop

the plan more and meet with the citizens. And I think that's a great thing. So, I compliment you on that. Um, does that mean this is the only public hearing for annexation or when the project is

developed at further that it's brought back to you and there will be another public hearing? That's my question. I'll let the attorney uh chime in on that, but I would love to be able to see an an

additional public comment because if they're going to get input from our citizens, I would like to be able to have an an additional form of public comment as well, but I don't know if that's the

procedure for that, >> mayor. The statutory requirement is for a public hearing. The board can have as many public hearings as the board would like. So, another p public hearing certainly is in order

and depending on the length of the development and other applications, you could wind up having several that's conceivable. >> Okay. Uh, can I ask Arie who makes that decision? Does the commissioners

make that decision if we have additional public hearings or does the applicant make that? >> Yes. Yes, ma'am. That that's a board driven decision. and it's a board public hearing and it's for this uh

board to call for one uh schedule it and direct staff to publish notice for it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any additional comments? >> Okay. >> Comment from audience. >> From the audience. Yes. From

public comment. >> Okay. Seeing that there is none, can I get a motion to close the floor to public comment? A public hearing, excuse me. So move. >> All in favor say I. I. All right. >> Okay. Now,

it's time for the staff to go ahead and if you have any comments or questions that you >> I do. >> Okay. >> Which uh everyone who came up took the words right off of my page here because I I do have

some concerns about the development of of this property. Um I know the developer have asked for for this matter to be tabled and that's what we'll uh take a look at it tonight. But um in the same

interrum as everyone has stated is is both ready for another grocery store, more retail stores, restaurants or we now uh we have to also I I definitely would like to see a traffic stud because um the

location of it we have to look at whether or not people how they're going to cross. Some may want to use their golf carts which would to my understand would not that would not that would be illegal

because it's on state highway. That >> would I be wrong in that assessment there? >> You mean to cross 70 on a golf cart? I think the highway patrol would have something to say about that. I think

they >> and we are inundated with golf carts and most people travel that way. And I I know that uh Commissioner Gilligan uh I believe or either uh Commissioner uh Spiegler uh once stated when this

came about few months ago about the safety of uh 70 and and 101. So, I would like for us to possibly look at a traffic study. The area already is B1, RS, R5, RC, can't remember what the number is for

that RC. So why is it that if you have all those things already in place that you're coming in and asking for us in the annexation part of to be strictly a B1? >> Um >> did you want to answer to that

question or >> I mean he can yes >> glad to answer. [cough] >> Okay but we'll probably this is still about the annexation so we don't want to cross over those lines. Keep that pin. Put a pen in it and

come back to it. He'll have that question ready for you in a little bit. >> Okay. >> Okay. So seemingly in the small portion of people here, if you take the number who have came out here and spoke

about it and multiply that in terms of the number of people here and do your subtractions or whatever, it may be that the community may not be quite ready for this development. And I know I would have

some some issues with it because I always there to or looking out to protect the little man. And the little man would be, you know, a third grocery store here. Uh you have a daycare. How is that going

to affect the little mom and pop daycares that are around in this area? I I don't like when you know it's heartbreaking when somebody come along and take something that someone has created as a as a

job and income for them and then along come and people like rushing to new things. So if you come along and build a new daycare, I know people will abandon the little small mom and pops because they

it's something new. Um I just um jobs that's that would be great for that would be great for the community. And I know I got to stay within an annexation thing. So we can deal with that at another

another time within this process. Saying that what is the protocol? Well, the planning board said no. So why are we dealing with it? >> Uh next one. >> That was the next one. So we're still stuck on

annexation. >> Okay. >> Okay. That's the next one. Get you later. >> Or anything about annexation. >> Are you Oh, are you okay? >> Yeah, I'm okay. >> Okay. >> This is our discussion for taking an

action on this. Yes, this is our discussion. >> I'd like to speak. >> All right, Commissioner Matthews. >> Thank you. Um, first of all, let me let me thank um Jeff for his offer to be a partner with

Buffford because I think um something of this magnitude um we need to be a partner without a doubt. I appreciate the comments that the public u public has made and I think there's additional comments

that need to be heard. So, I'm glad you want to go out with additional input from the from the public. I think that's a first step definitely that needs to be taken and based upon that public input um

I would offer I believe it should feed into a development agreement um we need to narrow um what we're moving forward with and understand what we're moving forward with with the development and

currently we really we really don't have that I mean we have we have your vision um but then you go you you've said several times times you go out in the marketplace and obviously that could change.

Well, it's it's important that we narrow what you're going to be out in the marketplace with that is consistent with what Bowford wants to see in the way of development. I think that's I think that's

vitally important even if you're narrowing the potential uses of the property um with a B1 if we ended up once we talk about uh the zoning. But so far as bringing the property into the town in the

annexation, um what will be the allowed uses? Are we are we marketing for particular uses that's consistent with what's needed within Bowford and consistent with the public and what the public would

like to see. The sewer demand, I think we could narrow that down as well and have discussions about that. Traffic uh in and out of the facility, uh a development period, density. I mean, there's a

number of things that could go into a development agreement um that everyone would be much more comfortable with. I'm very much in favor of your request to table this action and to allow you time to

get the public input perhaps to work with staff on a development agreement that then could come back to us for us to take action on as a part of um either giving you enough information or enough

latitude or enough firm agreement to go into the marketplace and then come back with the with the U potential potential resoning. Obviously, we can't do a or annexation. We can't do a pre-annexation

agreement, but I believe there is room to do a a development agreement. Um, and I'm seeing our council shake its head yes. So, I'm I'm on I'm on good grounds in saying that. But moving forward with

public input and then moving forward with an agreement, a development agreement so that everyone understands the direction that we're headed, I think is a very positive step to take. Um, so at having

said all that at the appropriate time, this is it, then I'll make it now. But a motion uh that we table this action until our first meeting in December. If that's not enough time, certainly in

December, we could move it further out if need if need be. >> Mary, is is it proper just to continue it >> instead of the table? We'd have to readvertise and so forth. >> No. Uh we've got um you know

we've had the public hearing that's been held and and concluded. So we're just tableabling the actual action part of it. Um if we choose to have another public hearing we we can do so and call that at

any any time honestly. So >> So we can't do what's the difference between the pre-anexation agreement and a developer agreement? Um, basically your nomenclature, the pre-anexation agreements that the

town entered into back in the ' 06, 07,08 um time frame. Um, there wasn't a very specified statutory mechanism for what we now call development agreements. Um 160D which was adopted a few years ago

has a extensive article on development agreements uh the process what has to be included. I believe there's a public hearing required for adoption of a um development agreement. So you get to the same

place. It's just difference in terminology. your terminology was just swapping the words. >> Once a B1 is assigned though, >> there's no ability to um regulate the B1 in the development agreement.

That would be would it be considered downzoning if we allowed for the B1 and then asked for certain conditions for permeability or lot coverage and so forth. it would need to be in a development

agreement that is adopted prior to an actual reasonzoning decision. And a couple of things that that the board needs to be aware of along those lines, if I may, as does the general public. Um the

annexation decision whether it's approved, denied or or tabled is just whether to bring this property within the corporate limits of the town. It it does not approve or deny the proposed use or the

plans that you've heard tonight or the plans that you've heard uh previously. Once the property is within the town, unless you have a separate agreement with the property owner, um the property owner

is uh entitled to request town services. Um you know, you go up on the priority list for water and sewer uh service, police and fire protection and and things of those that that nature. So just

because you bring the property into the town is not any type of explicit or implicit approval of the design concept that you've heard tonight. And I I just want to be clear with with everybody about

that. Um it's good information. It's good for transparency, but um annexation is separate and apart from the intended use of the property or the plans that you've heard this evening. Uh, can I ask one

more question, Ary? So, downzoning that normally does not apply if it's a single property owner, right? Because they downzoning if you have the permission of the property owner, it's not downzoning.

>> Correct. >> Yes. >> Correct. That's right. >> So, I don't think that would apply here. >> Good point. >> Okay. All right. So, we've got a motion on the floor to table the annexation. We just >>

There's a motion on the floor. >> Okay. But we have a time period that we are setting >> in December or do you want to leave it up to the applicant to bring it back? I mean, I don't know exactly when

he'll hold his meetings, um, when he'll get public input >> if the develop and I I gave that as a a part of the motion just to have some time frame that that um was was part of the motion and we would

know something would be coming back. We can extend that in December at our meeting if if it's needed and go into next year. >> Okay, >> that that's correct. It could be tabled further at the meeting

in in December if need be. >> So that would be the December 8th meeting, >> December 14th. >> 14th, excuse me. All righty. So, we've got a motion on the floor. Any further questions? All in favor say

I. >> I. >> All oppose have the same right. Okay. I carry. >> Now we're going to move on to case number 26-10. Oh, >> have we addressed all of I mean that the annexation? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Some of

the questions that I was stating >> uh was not part of the annexation, >> right? It's coming up next. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> I just want to stay on track. >> We are. >> All right. So, we're case number

26-10, the reasonzoning request for 374 Highway 101 from R20 to B1. Can I get a motion to open that floor for public comment for public hearing? >> So, move. >> Got a motion on the floor. All in favor

say I. >> I. >> All oppose have the same right. So, typically we would have Michelle come up and and make a comment, but we have Mr. Baron here who would like to address the staff make a request. You

want to wait just a second while the room clears. >> So we we would again like to table all our resoning requests. Um again this will give us time to uh have that community public input meeting. um uh

and gather a lot more information like we've heard tonight. Um and Mr. Matthews, I'm glad you talked about the developers agreement. Our desire is to enter into a comprehensive development agreement

with the town to ensure our vision meshes with what Buffert wants. Um and when I say encompassent, I mean a lot of the issues we've heard here tonight, environmental, we want to be sensitive. So we

want to we want to have that in the developers agreement. traffic. We want to have requirements for a TIA in there. We want to have um requirements for uh taking your zoning standards into account. We

want to incorporate those into the developers agreement. We want to hash out uses. If there's uses that uh you don't guys you guys feel like don't fit, we want to be able to negotiate that with you.

So again, our desire is to have that developers agreement come forward as well as an effort to work with the town and the citizens to ensure what we put forward is not only our vision but a vision

that you guys can be proud of. Um so yeah, we we would ask that the uh our resonance be tabled. Um before I forget, I know I think Mr. Matthews and Mr. Cooper had some questions about why we can't

develop the properties. It's about 29.61 acres that are currently zoned B1. Um that is located in the center of our project. Um and typically I'm I'm not 100% sure about Berurt's rules. Um maybe maybe

Michelle can clarify, but typically um it's it's not good to bring intensive uses and intensive uses of property through lesser intensive uses of property. So our main points of entry right now are

residentially zoned properties. So trying to bring commercial traffic and design uh commercial entrance through residentially zoned properties can be a bit challenging. So, one of our reasons for our

reszone request is to add to that um existing zoning in the middle of the property to give us commercial access, not residential access to commercial, if that makes sense. Um, Mr. Matthews, that does

that answer your question a little bit? >> It does. >> Okay. >> So, you're you're you're stating that the front end of your property, which >> is a according to your to your map the A >> yes >> that

is right now what R >> that's that's RC5 so that's residential and that's one of our access points along with an access point off 10 along with two access points off 101 they're zoned R 20 I believe

that's R20 yes sir >> so that that's one of our reasons for requesting reszone >> okay so is C B1 or B >> uh part part of C is B1 and part of C is R20. >> So >> it's split is split zone. Yes, sir.

Okay. >> So, >> just like the the property the property there you see on the screen that's zone B1 that's like a square that's beside the RC5 that that's actually one property and it's currently right

now split zone between B1 and RC5. So again we again we're trying to clean that up as well by getting all that entirety of that property to B1 as well. So uh so how much of that C being B1 are you

want looking at developing? >> Uh right now phase C that B1 and phase C would not be developed right now. >> Right. Not nothing right now. >> Not not right now. No sir. >> But A would be A would be in

your development plan and you want to take that to a B1 commercial. that would um the A and B that's right where we have the RC5 and R20 um that would be where we would be looking to develop right now

um and take that to B1 that's correct and again that gives us commercial access to our uh entries of the develop potential development >> so you're asking you're wanting us to save 2610 2611 and 2620

>> we we would ask all resonings be tabled for us to gather public input from our community meeting. After we gather that input, we would work with town staff and the town attorney to develop a

developers agreement. Again, it would be comprehensive. We want to cover everything that we've heard tonight and that we will hear >> um from development standards, zoning setbacks, buffering, um you

know, we can get down um to tree species, plant types that are native to buffer. I mean all these things we intend to cover in developers. >> What you're actually talking about is is a development

agreement along with conditional zoning as well. >> We would not be requesting conditional zoning at this time. >> So >> we can we that developers agreement accomplishes then sum and more than a

conditional resone or a PUD. >> Well PUD you're not asking for residential, right? You're only asking for commercial. So >> yeah, we'd only be asking for commercial. That's right. that, >> but as a as

a commissioner and the development agreement, >> I certainly would >> like to have some input. >> Yeah, I think that that would be I I don't know the the process for that. Maybe the town attorney can

help me. But once that's drafted, I'm not sure how I guess it would come to public meeting. Does it have to come to public meeting for input from town commissioners or is that something they can give

before? >> Yes. Yeah, the the ultimate decision to develop or to adopt a development agreement is is this boards. It is a legislative decision. It is a written contract. You do have to have a public

hearing before you act on it. So, um I would expect this board to see it multiple times throughout the drafting process. >> And how would we do that? by email or in close session or we could have a

special meeting. I mean, there are numerous ways to uh make sure that your input is is, you know, is there considered? >> Yeah. I just I want to be clear. We fully we we fully expect to come back to

you guys several times to ensure we get this correct. Um, this isn't like something we would submit one time and expect to get through. Like we we understand that building that partnership is going to

take several times and probably several versions if if that's desired to go forward. >> Commissioner Spiegel, >> uh, I have another question about the process. So for the resonings, these are

different than the request for annexation because that did not go through the planning board, but the resonings did go through the planning board. And knowing that these resonings did not pass the

planning board, would they go back to the planning board first before they come back to the commissioners again? >> Uh, not based on the current applications. Uh, no. The ordinance requires that the

planning board review and make a recommendation to this board and the recommendation was no to to disapprove uh them. So you could conceivably uh refer it back to the planning board. There's no

prohibition, but there's also no no requirement >> if we were to. So, if we were to table this request tonight like is being um asked of us, it would not be required to go back to the planning board,

but we could ask for it to go back to the planning board if we desired it to. >> You you could at some point. Um I think what you would want to do is if you send it back to the planning board, send it

with specific instructions. Um you know, if there's a input after the public information sessions, whatever the case case may be. >> If we took a different route tonight, if we denied these resoning

requests, could they then start over and start with the planning board again after they meet with the community? >> Um, sure. There are some uh requirements for reapplying within certain time horizons

after a denial. We'd have to take a look at at those and make sure those are complied with. But yes, at some point if um the resonings are denied by this board, they're entitled to reapply again and

go back through the process from scratch. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Mr. Attorney, can I ask a question? Is the developer agreement that does not have to go to planning board? However, can they pre

provided a copy of that as part of the reasonzoning process? because I think that's important for them to see. >> Yeah. I mean, and that's that's a good question. I mean, the town can follow whatever

internal process the town wants to follow. And when I say the town, I mean this board. You could uh form a working committee with members of this board, members of the planning board. You could

wholesale refer it to the planning board for its review uh and comment. Um you could have workshops. there just numerous ways to um get there with an agreement of this magnitude. Um as we have seen

with some of the pre-anaxation agreements um we have to live with these things for many many years. It's not typically an agreement that is two or three years long. I think the U pre-anexation

agreement that Commissioner Cooper referred to earlier um you know was signed in 06 07 or '08 and it runs until 2035. So you almost can't do enough >> [clears throat and cough] >> uh due diligence and

consideration with an agreement of this magnitude. And how to go through that process is probably um a separate robust discussion for this this board to have before you even get to the substance of an

agreement. Commissioner Spiegel, just to answer your question, uh we would be happy to go back before the planning board. Um how however that decision is made, we are happy to go back to the planning

board. Just knowing I think it's important that in some capacity that the planning board is invited to the table however we can to include them in that agreement process. So when it gets to them for a

reason, they kind of understand what has been work's been put behind it, if that makes sense. >> Yes. Thank you. I can't speak for the other commissioners up here, but I would like to see this go back

to the planning board as it moves forward. >> Good. >> Yes. >> Eric, can you be a little more specific? I'm a little cons confused about conditional zoning versus development agreement. the applicant

is asking for or has mentioned that they may possibly even allow for buffers and so forth or different uh different depths of buffers. Wouldn't that fall more on something like a conditional uh zoning

and what we would want to allow like access points and maybe the appearance and and so forth? Whereas if we just have a B1 zoning as long as the applicant is basically has uh fulfilled the

requirements of that uh then they you the suffice it's it's basically allowed. Um so I just concerned about that because it seems a little more like that we are talking about conditional zoning but

they don't want conditional zoning and can you explain that and basically kind of piece that out? and and we would definitely have to get into the specifics of the project and what the town wants to

see. It is also a possibility that the town has a new zoning district or zoning classification. You could follow a special use permit process. I mean, there are numerous ways to get there within, you

know, the context of 160D and your ordinance and a potential development agreement. So, um I think it's a good question. Development agreement versus conditional zoning. And to be honest, I think um

we would need to know more about the specifics of the project, the timing, um how it's going to be rolled out, uh what's going to be there, and also what this board wants to see. At the end of the

day, I won't say uh conditional zoning is off the table, but if you can get there through a development agreement, I think it's um a little more specific and a lot more enforcable as a contractual

matter. So, that that would be the preferred vehicle, but um >> is there an option for a hybrid between the two? >> Uh there may be. There may be. I just it it doesn't >> I mean I can't think of one

off the top of my head to be honest. Yeah, that's >> Mr. Leicola to answer your question that the conditional reszone locks us into a site plan. >> The development agreement would set everything in

place so when we're ready to bring that site plan forward, we're taking what we've already had designed here and physically dropping it in, you know, on a on a site. So again, for us, we're just not

at that that point where we can give you an 80 acre conceptual plan, but what we can give you is all the standards and everything you need that once a site plan comes to you is going to follow exactly

what's in that developer agreement. That makes sense. >> Okay. >> We're not ready to get we're not ready to get where we're looking above on paper, but we can we can get there with the developers

agreement. trying to >> I um would agree with uh Commissioner Spiegel there because the planning board has the expertise or whatever you guys may be attempting to do which would take me to a question

and I'm not sure if this is the appropriate time to ask this or or wait until we say yay or nay on the tableling of these these uh three cases here and it has to do with the planning board. So, >>

might as well go ahead and ask your question. I get what is it? >> Okay. >> Uh the question being with that the planning board did a 42 vote. So, what is the protocol when the planning board do a 4-2

vote >> 62 >> and it comes to the commissioners? Because I I was under the impression that when the planning board do a no on a on a on on a developer or plan, then it's a dead issue. >> Well, >>

well, not totally dead. I mean, they come back and submit another plan, but it don't immediately come to us. >> Yeah. And that's a good question. There are certain approvals that if the planning board

votes no, it's almost like an appeal to this board for lack of a better description. And I think your ordinance uses that term in one context, but for a reasonzoning like this one, we just have uh

planning board review and planning board comments. It's an advisory opinion. Um, it's what they think you should do with it and then you you make your own decision. >> Well, I mean, but as as an

advisory committee, they more or less has stated uh no, they voted for two. And if they are advisory, they're they are they're advising us in terms of that this developer don't have everything

together and he needs to do A, B, and C. bring it back to them and then possibly come to us. Would that be right, wrong or indifferent? >> Well, the planning board is an advisory board. They're giving

you uh their advice and the ultimate decision rests with this board. Um they can advise, you know, disapproval and this board can approve it. uh and vice versa, they can advise approval and this board

could could disapprove it. So, um it's just uh the way your ordinance is drafted and the way the general statutes are structured. Um the elected officials have the final call um with whoever the

planning board's advice may be. >> Well, I'll go back to my original thing is that uh I'd like to see it go back to the planning board. >> Okay. >> I All right. Thank you very much, Commissioner

Matthews. >> With the development agreement, it really that's going to that's going to pull together both the resoning and the annexation. I mean, you can't really separate them. They're they're going

to be together in the discussion. If the board wants to receive input from the from the planning board um and that goes back then you're you're really what you're really doing is sending both for them

to comment on it because it seemed you know just listening to their meeting and I'm certainly not speaking for them but listening to their meeting many of the same concerns that has been raised um

here and and by the public was raised in that meeting just that they wanted more answers. And so with the development um with having a development agreement and getting input from them, they'll gain

additional information to give give us their their opinion making that statement, but also I'm asking is that can that be done? Can we can we structure it if we agree to have uh these items tabled as

well? And in the same motion um that the development agreement a development agreement um go back through the the planning board to give us their input before it comes back to us. >> Absolutely. >>

And one other question when we opened I think we opened as just the the first case. Mhm. >> Can the can the motion at this point include all of those cases instead of having to reopen I mean having to

open each one and then making a motion on each? >> I think at this I think at this point um we're in the public hearing for the first one and we need to close that and then open it for the next two

together one public hearing >> and then make a motion >> and then make a motion. that that would be my suggestion. And then you can take your action on all three applications together after

essentially two public hearings. >> Okay. >> Okay. [cough] Because I still have to ask for the public's input. So we're still at that point. Okay. Uh so unless there's any further more deliberations,

>> just one other clarification then. If we get input on this first case >> and then we close this case, open up for I guess all three for a for a motion, um then we would get public input, but the

public input would be on those last two and then we'll make a decision and make a motion. Is that correct? >> Uh yes, sir. And I mean it stands to reason that you know your public input on the first

application would probably be the same public input on the next two. Um the public can certainly make the same comments but uh there's there's really no need to >> it's the same subject matter at the

end of the day. were just >> Well, if if that's if that's the case, if they have any and probably not, but if they have any differences in the other two cases, they just state that when they come come

for the to make comments on this first case, go ahead and take care of it. >> They they really should hold that for the second public hearing. Unfortunately, we we >> I tried. >> You did. You did. >>

And I appreciate that. So, just to kind of move the show on, um I do have to open the floor for the public to make any comments about case number 2610, which is a resoning of um 374 Highway 101 to R20

to B1. Anybody have an Yes, ma'am. I've got Yes, I saw you first and then the lady in red. Hi Deborah Deborah Gillicanin 134 Bunch Road. So I've got a couple of questions. I don't know if I'm at the

right form, you know, place to ask. I'm curious about the annexation part. I know it's been tabled, but how does that affect us? Because we come out our front door and we're looking at where this is

all supposed to be going right across the street from our front porch. I'm wondering about that. And then the traffic, if that is going to be something that is done, how that is going to happen on

Bunch Road because we already have a little bit of trouble getting out of Bunch Road to take a left on 101. And then also the reszoning. Are you asking us to reszone our home? Is that going to be

something that would be moved to a B1? >> No. >> I guess that's all my questions. >> Okay. >> Y'all can answer them all at one time. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Me

again, Ally from Meeting Street. I think Commissioner Cooper hit the nail on the head. Um the planning board did vote six to two against moving forward with these resonings. And also that seems like

the town of Bowfort really just isn't quite ready for this plan. Um, I know everyone seems to be quite impressed that the Baron family is asking to do another public hearing, but I'd like to be very

clear that this um is reactive rather than proactive. There's already been advertisements going on and plans made about Buffer Crossing. So, the fact that it wasn't up to snuff for the planning board

is a bad sign. And now that it seems like they might lose money on this investment, they'd like to bring in um input from the town. But the town is providing input right now to you, the commissioners

who do work for us, although for free. You guys are all here for free right now, which is amazing. We're all here for free to speak up on our town. So, we would love to not have to keep coming back

again and again to say the same things that are already clear right now that this project wasn't ready to go rather than tableabling it. We'd really prefer for it to be denied as we've all come here

tonight expecting that decision to represent our town. Um, and yeah, let's make no mistake about what's really going on here with at this point in the game wanting to receive public input directly to

the developers. I would vote yes on it if it was just going to be a Whole Foods and a yoga studio, but they won't make money that way. So, it's at the end of the day, it's still going to be what's

going to make the developers money and not what's best for everyone here in Bowford. Thanks. >> Thank you. Any further additional comments? Okay, seeing that there is none, can I get a motion to close

the floor for public hearing? >> So move. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay. I >> All right. So now we're going to have to because I'm there's making a lot a couple of left turns here and nobody's

turning on any signals. So let me make sure I'm heading in the right direction. Um there has been a request to table 2610. We're going to handle that tabled request right now in a motion. Mayor, you

you certainly can, but I think the can the thought was to go into a consolidated public hearing for the next two cases. >> Okay. >> Have that public hearing and then have um one action on all three

applications. >> All right. >> Presumably to table them. >> So then let me open the floor for public hearing for case number 2611 and case number 2620. >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right. All in favor say I.

>> I. >> Anybody want to repeat what they've said? Any additional new comments, questions from the commissioners? Okay. Can I get a motion to close the floor for public hearing? >> So move. >> All in

favor say I. >> I. >> Okay. Now we have a request to table 2610, 2611, and 2620. What is the pleasure of the board? I'd like to make a motion that we table case number 2610, 2611, and 2620 for the

same period of time that um we just um tabled for annexation. And also that >> did >> also that in the development agreement that is produced as a part of this process that would involve both the

annexation and the reszoning that that agreement draft agreement would go back through the planning board prior to coming to the commission for consideration. >> Question. I would rather not have the

development agreement in the motion because I don't want it to seem like we are authorizing a development agreement. >> I agree. I would like it to go back to the planning board before that decision

is made. some of the items and the reason for the motion going in this direction, at least for me, is that that a a lot of the questions that seem to come up in the in the planning board, that would

be that information in that development agreement. It would still be in it would still be in draft form for them to be able to comment on and to give us their input with that information as opposed to

separating it back out and they're not having all of the information that at some point we will have. And that's the reason I was making the the motion that um that they see that as well. >> Yes. Um I

agree. I I definitely think that if it goes back to the planning board, they would need to see a development agreement. I think that's the only way it should go back to them. However, I don't want

mentioning that the development agreement in this emotion as kind of a quasi decision that we are in favor of a development agreement. >> I don't want people to put too much work into something that I

may not vote for. Period. Would you would you be comfortable if I altered the motion to say any development agreement um that that as a part of the process um is developed would go back through the

planning board for their consideration? >> Sure. >> I don't think I understood that. Me neither. I I thought we had to do the other cases before we make a motion or can he can he make a motion now and

we to vote on it. >> We're lumping them all together. >> Yeah. Did Did we close the second consolidated publication? >> Did we? >> Yes, we did. We did. >> So, >> yes. Now, we're debating the action.

>> If there's a if there's a development agreement as a part of this process and they're working with staff on a draft development agreement, um I mean, you want the actions, you want all the actions

to be brought down to a document. I if we're moving forward, I think I think you're going to want that. I really do. And if that agreement then is developed, something falls apart, they pull out,

okay, then we're not going to have a development agreement. Um, but if there is a an agreement that is drafted as a part of this process, all I'm saying is then that would go through the planning

board for their input prior to the commission taking any action prior to it coming to the commission. I think what I'm confused about though is this is for the resoning request. So I feel like we're

mixing two different things in this motion and I just like I think we need to be really clear that we are tableabling their request for resoning but now we're starting to add other things to the

motion. >> Yeah. I'm only the only thing I'm adding I'm adding I'm saying to table the the uh the reszoning each one of the items. The only thing I'm adding to it is as a part of any development

agreement that is that is drafted that the planning board receive that as well prior to it coming back to the commission. >> All right, I get you now. >> Yeah, I'm okay with the if language. I just

want in no way, shape, or form for it to for it to appear as if we are authorizing or in favor of the development agreement officially. I think we should leave it out altogether the development

agreement. >> I do too >> because we we'd like to all have an input. So in order for that to happen, we need to be involved. So I would be in favor of tableabling the zoning but not including the uh

development agreement. >> I think it's implied. I think that developers also said that they wanted to enter into that. I think it's implied. I think the staff has heard us. I think we can just table

and just move on. Say that one more time. >> I think it's implied. I think we've been over that. I think the developer has actually said that they'd like to discuss something like that, right? >> I

think the staff's heard us. I think we can just table it and move on. That's my opinion. And so if if it is devel if if the development agreement moves forward, then it would go or would not go at

some point to the planning board so that we can hear their input. >> Ari said that we have the option, right, to have it go through the planning board again. But what Dexter is trying to do is make

sure that it happens that way. >> Exactly. >> So it's not implied. We want to make sure it goes in that direction. >> Correct. >> Mayor and commissioner, would it be helpful to divide this into two

motions? one to just table the resoning applications and two a separate motion to direct staff and the town attorney uh to pursue negotiation of a development agreement and to bring back a proposed

process for the town to consider that evaluate that including taking it back >> to the planning board. Okay, >> I can work it with that. >> Yeah, I'm I'm comfortable with that. >> All righty. So, >>

so, so the motion is to table >> where there to table case number 2610, 2611, and 2620 um until our December >> 14th meeting. >> 14th. >> Okay. >> Meeting. That's the first motion. >> Okay. >> Okay.

>> All righty. Any questions about that motion? >> All in favor say I. I. >> All oppose have the same right. Motion carries. Now we want to work on the second motion. >> Correct. I think I understand

that the second motion would be direct to direct >> staff and the town attorney to uh pursue slashd discuss a development agreement with um the applicant um but to also bring back to this board at I

don't know a subsequent meeting before December 7th a a process for us to digest that. I mean including Yes. And and so moved, but including um the draft agreement, if devised, would go back through

the planning board. >> And I'd still like to discuss conditional zoning. I still think there may be parts of this that may require conditions that we may want to uh impart on this. Um like I said,

buffering, entrances, things of that nature. Um there may be some things that we want to look into. So, I'd like to explore that. Okay. >> Now, will the will the um developer agreement is that going

to take place after they have the community input? >> So, you you'll need to have some community input to layer into that or no. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yes. It's we're not going to be able to

draft a development agreement before um the community input meeting that's scheduled within the next week or 10 days or whatever >> because you have to get a sense of what would right >> be drafted.

Okay. >> Okay. All righty. So, we've got a another motion on the floor. Have we confused Elizabeth? Let's not do >> I'm good. >> You're good. Okay. Who's going to make that motion? I thought it was

pretty well pretty well made that we are direct. >> We'd have to make it so moved. >> You put so many you put so many other amendments into that, but I make a motion that uh we uh a vote on for >> I

was in the middle Excuse me a second. I was in the middle of making a motion. Please let me finish. >> Oh, you was? >> I was. >> I'm sorry. >> That's okay. That's okay. I'd like to make a motion that

we direct staff and the town attorney uh to enter into negotiations with the with the developer for a um development agreement for the um Bowford crossing development. Is that >> Yeah, >> that gets

the essence of that >> sir. >> And a process process with the with the agreement also a process moving forward. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> And do we also need to make sure this is done after the public

input? >> You stated the process moving forward. >> I I just want to make sure the public input is done first. I just >> Right. And I I will I will assure you that we cannot draft a document of this

magnitude within the next week or 10 days. So um it'll take some time. My anticipation would be um at the next meeting or perhaps two meetings away we will have the discussion about the process before

we even get to having a draft of the agreement before us. >> Fantastic. >> I have a comment. Um, so I agree public input is really important into the pre-development agreement and I almost feel like

we're putting the heart the horse before the cart because you know the earliest we're going to hear about the annexation and the reasonings is going to be December. I just don't see how we're going to

have any sort of pre-development agreement after the uh community input go through the planning board. There's just no way it's going to get here by December. And so if that's the case, I feel like

this board should wait and hear what the public input is at our December meeting and then go forward with the discussion we're having right now. I think we're just too far ahead of ourselves right

now. >> I think the January retreat would be a good time to revisit this also. And with the December with the December extension and coming back to us then I mean we we can extend it if we need to

extend it. I think you're probably right. I think we probably will need to uh to extend it. It could be done through the through the retreat if we needed to. >> Correct. you can table all four matters

further at the December uh meeting and I would anticipate that being the result at this point. >> I think I think it probably would be too, but it probably would be it would probably be good to at

least have it as an agenda item and we see where we are at that point. >> All righty. So, let's move the show along. You've got a motion on the floor. Any further questions before I call for the

question? >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> All oppose have the same right. >> I sound in harmony. Two. >> So, looks like we've got two nos and three yeses. The motion carries. >> Okay. >> Two nos. Oh,

did you say no? >> Yes. >> You voted yes. Right. Okay. Okay. So, the motion carries. All right. So, now we're going to move on to public comment. Something new. I'm excited. All right. This is the

time frame. If you wish to make a public comment, this you've get three minutes. Yes, ma'am. Did you Did you sign up for the public comment? It doesn't make a difference. Come on up. >> Okay. Hi. Oh,

excuse me. This is Suzanne Lee at 206 Ocean Street. Um, I what I wanted to say was this public meeting was not advertised on the sunshine list. And the only reason I knew about it was because I was at

the last BOC meeting where the uh where it was said that there was going to be a public hearing about the shopping center. And so I just wanted to be sure that this information, this public meeting

that the developer is uh willing to have, it does get advertised widely in a way that our community members can attend. I wouldn't have known about it had I not been at the last BOC meeting and heard

about it. >> Can we address that for a second, please? This was advertised on the sunshine list, correct? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. And this was advertised in other ways. Can you share those, please?

Yes, ma'am. The public hearings were also advertised in the Carter County News Times. Uh they're posted on our website, our Facebook page, our Instagram page. >> Okay. >> Um can I just clarify? So, it

might be confusing. It was on the sunshine list, but that means that it was within our board of commissioners agenda for this meeting and that was on the sunshine list. So, it wasn't like a

standalone, if I'm getting this correct, it wasn't a standalone email about public hearing, but it was within our agenda for tonight. >> Okay, that's correct. >> All right. Very good. >> And may I

add, I think for reasonzonings, there is specific individual notice giving to adjoining property owners. >> And Charlie, do we have to post the property for resonings? >> Okay. So there there are a

couple of additional avenues for public notice. >> Okay. All right. Okay. Sometimes we get an opportunity to hear about those things and and thank goodness for friends talking about it. Word of mouth

is always a very good way of getting this out. But um glad that you're here, Miss Lee, and made the um effort to come. Public comment. Anyone else? >> Yes, ma'am. Michelle Powers. Miss >> Powers. Hey,

>> mayor and commissioners. Uh, my request is something very simple. It doesn't have anything to do what you were discussing before. Um, I am the president of the Carter County Historical Society. And

later on in your agenda um is information about a what we would request which is a deed of gift for three items that were donated to us in 2006 and they were donated at a time when we did accept

donations for items for our collection. Subsequently, we do not we we really cannot just take a um a loan. We really need things to be permanently given to our collection. And I can tell you the three

things that are on this, including an aerial view of Bowford Elementary School from 1975, a portrait of um Coach Mcuade, um circa 1964, and a photograph of NASA astronaut Michael Smith and the space

shuttle crew um circa 1976. 6 have been integrated into many of our exhibits and the programs that that we have at the at the museum. The Carter County Historical Society home is the history museum

which is located in Morehead City as I'm sure you know. However, our mission is preserving the history and the the um historical fabric of the entire county from Cedar Point to Cedar Island. And we do

that by using our collections to explain to the public what our wonderful historical legacy here in the county is all about. And uh these items are important. Uh I think they're important to all of

you in Bowford. Um but we are clear cleaning up our recordkeeping. And so our request is that we can still maintain these three items, but what we need would be what's called a deed of gift. And I

believe Matt, you have a a form for that. Um, our director, Gracie Bender, has been speaking with you and and with Elizabeth. So, um, that's my request tonight that you would consider that because

we've taken very good care of these things and we will continue to do so and make them available to the public. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Powers. Appreciate it. Uh, >> next is Kevin McHugh.

Good evening, mayor and commissioners. >> Thank you for the opportunity to speak uh to you this evening. Um I'm coming here to talk to you about what's going to happen this Thursday, which is voting

begins this Thursday >> and I encourage all citizens to exercise their vote to become and become informed about the issues on the ballot. My purpose this evening is to address two proposal two

proposed amendments to the North Carolina constitution which I believe will have a significant impact on Katar County and Bowrit. One would require the general assembly to establish limitations on the

local property tax levels that would either reduce the constitutional maximum income and the other would um sorry reduce the maximum income tax rate from 7% to 3% 3 and a half%. These proposals raise

important questions about fiscal responsibility, local government independence, and the financial resources available to communities like Bowfort. We all expect reason responsible spending, reasonable

taxes and accountability from our elected officials. But we also depend on government to maintain infrastructure, support public education, provide essential services, and respond effect effectively

to emergencies. First, let's consider the proposed income tax amendment. The amendment would not immediately lower anyone's income taxes. North Carolina's income tax, individual income tax rate is

already scheduled to decline to 3.49% in 2027. Instead, the amendment would establish a constitutional ceiling of 3 and a.5% restricting future legislative ability to increase individual or corporate

income tax rates at above the level without another constitutional amendment. The North Carolina Budget and Tax Center estimates that this restriction would eliminate approximately 17 billion in

potential annual revenue raising capacity. To illustrate the magnitude, the organization calculates that replacing the hypothetical amount entirely through sales tax as an example would requiring

would require increasing the rate from 4.75% to approximately 11.5%. These are modeled estimates and and not projections of actual tax increases or revenue losses. Nevertheless, the analysis

illustrates the potential potential scale of alternative revenue measures, including higher sales tax rates, expansion of the sales tax base to additional goods and services, increased fees, or

reduction in public spending. These choices could have implications for funding public education, infrastructure, e- emergency services, disaster recovery. Second, let's consider the proposed property

tax amendment. This amendment would require the general assembly to establish limitations on local property tax levies. Although exceptions exemp exceptions could be permitted, the amendment does not

itself guarantee exemptions for hurricane flooding or extraordinary infrastructure needs for both it. The potential consequence include reduced consequences include reduced um revenue flexibility for

road maintenance, storm water improvement, public safety, waterfront infrastructure, and emergency uh re reserves. Property tax limitations also raise questions about how tax savings savings would be

distributed. If limitations result in lower property tax rates, large utilities, data centers, and other commercial property owners could receive substantially greater dollar savings than individual

homeowners because of their large larger taxable property buildings holdings. The actual effects would depend on the legislative enact legislation enacted to implement the amendment. The the combined

effect of these amendments deserves particular attention. Bowrit faces significant financial challenges associated with hurricanes, coastal flooding, aging infrastructure, and increased demand for

municipal services. A major natural disaster would require substantial local expenditures long before federal and state reimbursements could become available. At the same time, Katar County depends on

property tax revenues to help fund public education, emergency services, and other essential county responsibilities. These these these amendments raise a fundamental question. How do we balance

reasonable limits on taxation with the financial flexibility necessary for responsible government? As a CPA, I I appreciate the importance of fiscal discipline, accountability, and protecting

taxpayers from unnecessary tax increases, but I also recognize that sound financial management requires the ability to respond to unforeseen circumstances and changing financial obligations. A

constitutional restriction is fundamentally different from an ordinary legislative decision. Tax policies established through legislation can be adjusted as economic conditions and community needs

change. Constitutional restrictions are considerably more difficult to modify. For that reason, these proposals warrant careful examination of their long-term consequences for communities like

Boffort. Ultimately, the issue is not simply, you know, how government can can tax. it is the is whether the state and local governments retain the financial tools necessary to fulfill the

responsibilities we expect of them. I encourage every citizen to examine these amendments carefully, consider both their intended unintended benefits and potential consequences and make an informed

decision at the ballot box. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you for your time. Thank you. >> Any questions? Any further public comments? I have Robert Harper on the list, but I don't believe I see

him any longer. And then Miss Suzanne Lee already spoke. >> All right, that's it. >> Okay, now we're going to move on to our next item under new business. >> Get my list. All right. So, we're going to

have um the park and recreation advisory board appointments. We have two positions that are available for the volunteers for the park and recreation advisory board. And we have several members or

applicants that have placed their names um in the hat. Uh each appointment is for a three-year term. Um we have Mr. Barry Evans, Taylor Griggs, Isabelle Hernandez, Kendra Johnson, David Schaefer, and

Craig Stokes who has made an application. So, with so many people that are applying, which is great news for us, we get to make a slate, and I'll be opening up the floor to the uh commissioners to

create that slate. So, can I open the floor for nominations? >> Like to nominate uh Barry Evans. >> I think we have to open the floor. >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry, sir. Go ahead and make the make the

motion. Make a motion to open the floor. >> All right. >> Nominations. >> All righty. All in favor say I. >> I. >> We're much more organized in this All right. So, let's have your first nomination. >>

Nomination in Barry Evans, please. >> Okay. We've got Barry Evans. Anyone else? >> Taylor Griggs. >> Taylor Griggs. >> Nomination for Isabelle Hernandez. >> One for Miss Hernandez. Any further

nominations? Okay. All right. I'd like to go ahead and close the floor for nominations and we'll go ahead and take a vote on the three that are appeal that have been submitted. Okay. All in favor say

I. I. >> Okay. Show of right hands. Can you please uh cast your vote for Mr. Barry Evans? >> We've got one, two, three, four, five. Okay. All right. Mr. Taylor Griggs. Oh, excuse me. Three, four. All

right. Isabelle Hernandez one. Okay. The vote goes with Mr. Barry Evans. It's five and Taylor Griggs is four. Those two will go ahead and rise to the uh new position of Park and Rick advisory board

member. Congratulations uh to the both of them. Um Commissioner Spiegler and I have a great fondness for the park and wreck. It's kind of where we started our journey. Um and we'd love to be able to

have some new fresh blood. So we'll be able to send out a letter to them letting them know that they have risen to the top of Hark and Recre Advisory Board. So congratulations and once again thank you

to all of those individuals who actually made the uh put in an application. Now we're going to move on to the Carter County Museum donation piece. Uh we've already heard from Miss Powers a little bit

of information about that. And uh Matt, did you want to fill us in on the rest of that? There's a resolution that we'll need to take a look at, too. >> Thank you. >> I'd be remissed. I don't have much

to add to our distinguished guests uh presentation. So, we will open up applications for her. She wants to join our team. But, uh, excellent job. We, as a staff, had gone and visited the museum. They

were extremely gracious to us. They've done a tremendous job to maintain the quality and character of the three items in question. again the aerial photo of the elementary school 1975, Coach McQuay

1965, and then Michael Smith's photo with the challenger team in 76. So, um each of these items would um in our my professional recommendation would be for the board to discuss andor consider the

permanent placement of those for not only their well-being but the preservation of history involved. If you have any specific questions, we'll do our very best from legal um the assistant manager,

clerk, myself to answer them. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> I just I want to clarify that the challenger photo is 1986. >> Just to make sure if if it gets in the agreement that it is 1986. >> Oh, no. No, it's

not you. A couple different people have read have read it that way and it kind of looks like a seven. I will tell you something especially now exploration and what happens in county almost an an

entire day >> and they get to see that and they get to to talk about famous Carter County people and frankly both the coach and of course Michael Smith are all part of that. >> So we're happy to to

have all of this and as I said we will we will take very good care of it. >> Thank you. Now there's needs to be a resolution. Can we talk about that? um that would need to be presented to the public.

>> Mayor, may I jump in on the process? Um >> thank you. >> It's uh a little somewhat unwieldly, but the general statute is the general statute. You have a resolution that was distributed by email

earlier today and is now being projected. Uh the statute requires that we um post a notice of our intent to adopt the resolution and that has to occur at least 5 days before we actually adopt the

resolution. So, the board action tonight would be to direct your staff uh to to post notice of uh intent to adopt this resolution and then at the next meeting um you'll actually take action on

adopting the resolution and directing the execution and delivery of the deed of gift. >> Okay. >> So, that would be considered at our October 26 work session. Yes, ma'am. >> Any question from the

board? Okay. >> All right. Just seems like we need a motion to uh authorize a public posting of the proposed resolution. >> Okay. I will make a motion that we direct staff to post notice of intent to

adopt the resolution for conveyance of property to the Carter County Historical Society. >> Okay. Got a motion on the floor. Any further questions? All in favor say I. I. I. >> Okay. All right. Now,

we're on to the manager's report. >> Thank you, ma'am. I sent a more exhaustive report electronically um to the board for this past month, but I think that what's really important are some of the

immediate interruptions that the community may be seeing. So, just a public and a courtesy reminder that beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, October 13th through Friday, October 23rd, uh crews associated

with the Department of Transportation's project will close down the northern entrance of Circle Drive from Live Oak across from Fairview. And they're asking that residents use the southern entrance of

Circle Drive to access their home. So, that's a period from Tuesday the 13th anticipated through Friday the 23rd. In addition, we do have good news to share, but it also brings with the potential

traffic interruptions with the USDA associated paving project from Allen Grading. and they began work with a notice to proceed on uh October the 5th and the upcoming weeks potential closures include

Crescent Drive on the 13th and 14th, Campen Road between Live Oak and Lockhart on the 15th, which will require the turn lane on Live Oak to be closed at that intersection. And then Camping Road

between Live Oak and Lockhart again on the 16th. So, there's going to be multiple notifications posted. We're doing our very best to place them on our news section, social media, as well as push them

to our sunshine list. And I don't know if you have been receiving them, but I'm receiving the um textual uh notifications of the closures. And so, we're utilizing leveraging all those platforms in

addition to signage and and standard protocols. So, we know that there will be disruptions, but people are thrilled to see actual paving occurring in those areas. So again, Crescent Drive on the 13th

and 14th, Camp and Road impacts on the 15th and 16th. Associated with the USDA project is we are doing daily work on Craraven and that one has been closed to through traffic, specifically in the 100

block of Craraven and that is due to underground construction with the water sewer line work that continues to be completed um with our contractor TA Loving Company. We think we'll be there at least

through the end of this week and um hopeful that we won't extend too far into next week. Also found out today that with all the water work that has occurred between um along an street and then up to

the terminus of Pollock that there will be an expected overnight closure and disruption of water service. So that disconnect is going to have a very large impact. It's not just going to be to that

generalized area due to the existing placement of underground lines and the limited valves associated with shutting off. Um it's the crossover to occur for the brand new lines at Pollican and but

that's going to continue down Front Street. So we will be making notifications to the impacted residents andor businesses and to reduce that overall impact. It would be an overnight shutdown. So we're

going to do our best to communicate that. Just want to let you know if you're in any of those areas that you will anticipate an overnight shutdown of water as we cross over the new lines to the

existing services. So, I sound like Santa Claus bringing you a bunch of really great news. >> Thank you. >> of lo of closures and road closures and water outages, but hopefully the end product

afterwards would be much better. If there's any other specific questions, I know we've had a lot of information. I'll gladly try to help the board through any of them. I have one. >> Yes, sir. >> Not

ready to all this closure and and paving uh about Camden Road. Why was the speed >> camp road? >> Yes. >> Um someone asked me. >> Sure. I can address it or the mayor. Cam, would you prefer? Go ahead.

Um the mayor and I were um communicated to at a great length um to place a speed bump on camp and road and with the NC DOT closure and the alternative flow of traffic through that area. Uh we worked

with police and fire and public works to place the speed humps at roughly the midpoint of the 100 block of camp and road at the request of the resident. >> The resident of the area. >> Yes, sir. Yes.

>> Not all may agree, but the residents did. >> Ma'am, >> not maybe everybody agreed with that, but the majority of the residents wanted safety measures being taken. And we have put a lot of energy

into listening as well as checking with our fire chief and police um to make sure that we're putting down something that's going to slow traffic down. There is a lot of traffic going on camping road.

No doubt. >> Yeah. No doubt about that. >> The speeds have been varied. That's no doubt, too. Uh the residents have sent pictures of trucks going through there. Um a lot of traffic going [cough]

through there, and we're trying to do everything we can, although we have a diversion of traffic going through there. We're hoping that the 101 intersection will eliminate some of that. We don't know

what it's going to look like people travel the way they do. We can't stop cars from going down there. However, we can try to make it as safe as humanly possible. So far, it seems like I've gone down

there. I think a few of us have actually traveled down there. Um, it is you are by a school as well. Um, and you just want to be able to make that safe. Are we going to be making everybody happy? I

don't think that may be possible, but we're going to make it as safe as humanly possible. So along those lines, to recap for the public, uh that block of camp and road uh was widened from 20 to 23

feet. New striping was installed. Two new um speed limit signs that flash the speed limit, which are solar powered, were installed. And on the section of Campen Road, uh we also put new stop signs in

that are solar powered with LED reflective lighting. The reason we're not doing those improvements on Carowway is because that section of Carowway in front of the middle and elementary school are not

the town of Bowford's responsibility andor have control. So what you saw tonight was a request to re-engage NC DOT to reduce the speed on Carowway from 35 to 25. We've also applied to the state's

municipal and school safety application program for both the elementary and middle school to have a full review by the department of transportation to identify any other safety measures that could

reduce the potential risks associated with vehicular traffic directly adjacent to a school zone. >> Any further questions about the manager's report? >> Great job. All right, let's move on to mayor

and commissioners comment. Commissioner Cooper, let's start [cough] with you. >> No, but just that uh this is October and it's uh uh breast awareness uh month uh which is I have my pink on. >> So uh

what is what date is this? The 12th. >> This the 12th. >> Yes sir. So that gives another 19 days for you to wear your pink. That's all I have. >> Okay. All right. Commissioner Piccolo. >> Um I I guess

I just want to make a I guess a comment about the the development and uh and it's impressive that we had that as many people as we had come here tonight. >> Um >> I think um it's impressive we had as

many people as we had come here tonight. Um, this is a big deal for the town. Whether or not we allow this or don't allow this is perfectly, you know, up to the board and up to the community. I think

it's important what we engage the community and engage other people in the community to hear what they have to say um and understand what are the needs of the community. I I I you know, we have um

things that I think the community needs regarding small businesses. Um small businesses don't have a place in our community. We don't have locations for HVAC, plumbing, uh you know, places for small

business to operate. Uh whether that requires light industrial or some type of other development in our community. Um and whether it's the will of the developer to even entertain that is going to be

difficult, but I hope someday we kind of address these things and we don't sit idly by and allow the town to develop without our input. um you know um economic development is important in our

community but smart smart economic development really is what matters. So I do think it's important that we have these discussions that we don't just say no and block it out. If it works it works if

it doesn't it doesn't. Um we know we have a lot of unanswered questions with this development. We don't really know even what the statement is regarding the airport authority how they feel about this.

That hasn't been addressed. Um, you know, we have a lot of other, you know, uh, things to consider regarding even buffering. We have homes and so forth adjacent to this. How would that look? How would

that look for entrances? There's so many parts to this that, you know, really have to be looked at and looked at really closely. Um, if it does ever make it across the finish line. So, so with that, I

appreciate that we've we've at least entertained it. We're considering it. Um, we're opening up to the community, and I think that's how it should work. Um, so I look forward to the process and

whether or not it works. Like I said, it is what it is. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Gillicanin. >> So, I want to thank the Bowfort Business Association for inviting the second marine

aircraft wing ban to town this past weekend, although we had to utilize the rain option. Um, also thank Boer by the Sea Community Church for providing that rain venue. And this was in celebration of

America 250, but also the acknowledgement of the role that Buffert played. And I was so um humbled and excited to hear Gunnery Sergeant Hawkins, who is the conductor of the band, um state that he had

done quite a bit of research on Boffort and was really impressed with our long, long history that goes beyond um 250 years. So, it was very humbling to be there um with all the military veterans

standing during their um their military song and it was a really great event and I really appreciate them hosting that and bringing them to town. >> That's it. >> Thank you, Commissioner Spiegler. >>

Uh I just want to say thank you. We had a really great turnout today in person and I'm sure we had a lot of people listening online today, too. So, thank you Buffford citizens. Uh we really uh

appreciate and value your input uh into this process. Um and with that being said, I want to say thank you to all of our volunteer boards that we have. We have really great volunteers in our town and

it was really really great to see so many people um apply for our parks and recck board. We could only appoint two, but please keep coming back. We really appreciate um what you guys do for us. And

then the only other thing I'll say is I will repeat Commissioner Cooper uh October is breast cancer month. So wear your pink. And um some of you guys know there's a annual breast cancer fun uh run

walk in Morehead City at the sports center. Let's make pink just a color. It's on Sunday, October 18th. So if you feel like coming out, um I will be there and hope to see you guys there, too. All

right. Thank you, Commissioner Matthews. I'll just add to um what Commissioner Le Piccolo said and that is I think we're headed in the in the right direction in the way of gaining public input into

the potential development. Uh it's being called Buffford Crossing. Um, I'm glad we will be able to move forward with that public input to see if we can have an agreement that both the town and the

developer is um is comfortable with prior to going to the to the marketplace to see whether or not that area can in fact be developed and to bring some commercial development to um to the town of

Bover, which I think is needed. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Well, I'd like to thank our town staff for the amazing job that they do each and every day. Um, we couldn't run this town as well as

we do without you. Uh, Mr. Mcuff, thank you for bringing up the fact that we have early voting coming up on Thursday and some important amendments that are going to be on the ballot and I want to

appreciate you sharing that. It's very valuable information. Although it is breast cancer awareness, it's not all about wearing pink. It's about encouraging that uh female in your life to get that

examination. Uh early detection is very important. Um and some of us sometimes we have a tendency to take care of others, but if you uh have a good village around you, it's very important to go ahead

and make sure that the women in your life take care of themselves. Um and I'm glad to hear that we are getting some pavement being done. We got to celebrate the small winds wherever we can. Uh, so

we're all going to go dance on the fresh pavement. We're at Crescent and Carowway when it gets laid down. So, um, hopefully we can start dancing all around the town, uh, on fresh pavement. We do have

some fall activities that are coming up. We still have Halloween and street is probably getting ready right now. Um, if you probably go by, they're setting up everything. Be safe. I want to thank our

police for being able to make that activity as safe as possible by blocking off the road. Want to thank you about that. We do have some great things going on in Bowford and I had an opportunity to sit

down with Jeff and his son and did a porch talks that talked about skydiving. But really what it is is taking a different view of where we live. We're looking at Buffer from above when they are

skydiving. It is such a beautiful, beautiful view. Sometimes we forget about that view when we're here on the land. So I I really encourage us to embrace all the great things that we are doing and

moving in the right direction. I do want to thank Jeff Baron and his uh group for wanting to take that step back. Uh that is the Bowfort way is being able to include people into the conversation. They

will never build anything unless we let them know what it is that we need and what we want. So there's an opportunity there for Bowford and it's an opportunity I hope that we all together take that

journey to explore and not um not necessarily throw the baby out with the bathwater so to speak. So there's opportunities there. And last but not least, I'd like to thank our commissioners for the

great work that you do. uh Commissioner Mayor Prom Gilligan would not toot her own horn, but I was not able to uh welcome the band that came out on Saturday. So, she did that in mystead and I heard

you did a great job as I imagined she would. So, thank you very much for taking on that task and doing it in the rain. I was drive I was driving back. That gave me much valuable time with my grandson,

Big Poppy. So, I want to thank you for that. Um, so if there's any other comments. Great. None. I hear none. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you. Have a great

night, everyone.