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We're back to the first one in August.
So, welcome. Glad that you're with us.

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As we always do, we'll start with a
moment of silence.

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And then we'll remain standing for our
pledge of allegiance. As we go to that

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time, please keep the Roberts family in
your thoughts and prayers, please.

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Father and son who were tragically
killed uh

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uh this past week uh and to I think at
the coast. I don't know a whole lot

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about it, but uh we do want to keep them
in our thoughts and thoughts and prayers

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and the family, please, as as they move
forward uh with all this kind of thing.

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Terrible terrible situation. So, we're
really sorry about that. So, if you

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will, please now rise.
Join me for a moment of silence.

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Thank you.
Please salute the flag. I pledge

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allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic

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for which it stands, one nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and

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justice for all.
Thank you.

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Tonight, we our first order of business
for the Uh, agenda is a matter scheduled

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for public hearing. Our first tonight is
a zoning ordinance amendment. This is

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ZOA 1-26.
We'll hold this hearing to consider

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approval of a text amendment to allow an
educational facility in various zoning

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districts.
The applicant, Waterlife Church, is

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requesting an amendment to add
educational facility defined in Article

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4 as including public and private K
through 12 schools,

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college, universities, and technical
institutes to the permitted use chart.

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Staff is recommending approval of the
ordinance amendments based on the

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following consistency statement. The
proposed zoning amendment is consistent

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with the 2045
comprehensive plan

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in that an
initiating zoning changes within target

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areas to encourage development is a
primary proactive strategy. In the long

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term, adjusting the ordinance to account
for all forms of educational facilities

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would effectively encourage a variety of
developments in growing areas serving

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families. This amendment would also help
to revitalize vacant and historic sites,

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such as the Westland Elementary School
site, and potentially encourage future

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academic opportunities at the old Winona
High School uh, campus.

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One of the primary goals of a planning
department is to always be figuring out

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ways to simplify, streamline, or make
the zoning code easier to understand and

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implement for long term. This zoning
amendment accomplishes that goal.

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I will open the public hearing, and I
will introduce our planning director,

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Anna Williams, for her com- uh,
comments, please.

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» Thank you so much.
So, I have uh, just a couple slides for

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you for each case.

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When the applicant, Waterlife Church,
asked planning staff how to reuse the

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West Lenoir Elementary School site uh as
a private school, I realized two things

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about the zoning ordinance.
Um that private schools were not

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accounted for on the permitted use chart
uh and that the R-12 zoning district did

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not allow for public school use. So,
this public school building couldn't be

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be reused for a public school um
if uh if if if that were being sought.

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So, I advised that they apply for a text
amendment to add educational facility

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uh as a use to the permitted use chart.
Um so, currently the uh

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zoning ordinance provides for daycares
and preschools. It provides for public

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schools through the public service
facility use and for um vocational and

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specialty schools. Uh but it does not
include private academic institutions.

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It doesn't include colleges or
universities uh anywhere on the

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permitted use chart. Um it probably has
in the past, but over time consolidation

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and things uh
it it was it's no longer there.

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The definition section of the zoning
code contains a definition for

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educational facility
um and it is a facility for the

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education of children and or adults,
including public and private

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kindergarten, elementary, and secondary
schools, colleges, technical institutes,

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and universities, but excluding
specialized trade schools and nursery

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schools.
Um

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So, the text amendment itself uh would
add educational facilities as a

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permitted use by right in B2,
general business, B3, our central

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business district, B7, the highway
business district, and O&I, office and

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institutional district. And as a special
use in several residential zones, R6,

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R9, R12, and RC. It would also remove
schools from the definition of public

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service facility to eliminate overlap.
So, in summary,

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um here's a chart. It's also in your
staff report, I believe on page three of

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the staff report, um for the zoning
amendment. And it shows that educational

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facilities would be permitted um
in those zones that I read out, a

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special use in those residential
districts that I read out. Um

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and then this also shows where public
service facilities are. Basically, the

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only difference in location of where
public service facilities are allowed

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today and where educational facili-
facilities would be allowed is the

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industrial districts. Um
I doubt a school would ever want to

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locate in an industrial district anyway,
but a public service facility like an

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EMS base or a firehouse may may want to
locate in an industrial district.

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No schools in our area are located in
industrial right now, so it doesn't

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create any non-conformities to take
schools out of the public service

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facility.

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So, planning board reviewed this at
their July meeting, and they recommend

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approval of the request and adoption of
the consistency statement

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um that the mayor read for the record.

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That concludes my prepared comments. If
you have any questions, please let me

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know. The applicant is also in the
audience tonight.

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» Thank you. Anna, any questions?
Yes, sir.

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» Should we add pre-K to this because
there is

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a lot
pre-K

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group and it might be
road block if it's not in there.

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» Sure. Um I will say that child care
centers and preschools are accounted for

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in another use in the zoning ordinance
and it's called child care center.

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Um and it is allowed as a special use
permit in residential and um permitted

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in these districts. It's just a
different

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definition.
>> Uh

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if someone had a school
and pre-K,

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do they have to do a separate permit?
>> Oh, that is a good question. Yeah. Uh I

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see what you're saying there. Um
>> It's okay to think about it for a

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minute.

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Cuz it may cause some overlap.
>> Yeah. Um I wish I had the zoning

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ordinance in front of me and I could
tell you exactly where they're allowed.

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Um Sure, I'll take a minute. Yeah.
Yeah.

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» I just don't want someone to have a
permitting problem or do

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open a pre-K.

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And we're here to discuss that tonight.
>> Right. Right.

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» Keep us from having any issue later.

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Uh your your statement was you think
this is already allowed but wouldn't you

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say that?
That's a reason for a minute.

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» Yeah.

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Well, I mean if we're going to if the
definition is going to split them up,

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then it's a potential argument that it
if you have an educational facility that

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includes pre-K that
it doesn't include it. If we've got a

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definition for pre or I guess you said
child care and preschool And then

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definition for educational facilities, I
would think getting one for educational

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facilities necessarily excludes child
care and uh

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preschools. So,

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» Uh there are more allowances in our
zoning ordinance for day cares and

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preschools than there are in this zoning
amendment.

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Um a daycare center is a special use in
rural residential.

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The R12, R9, R6 is permitted in RC
and it's permitted in um all of the

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commercial districts and industrial
districts except for in the B6 where

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it's also a special use. And B6 is a
transitional business district. So,

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there are or a wider allowances for day
cares than there are for the educational

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facilities.

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I believe so. I believe so.
>> Okay.

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» Probably add a condition to anybody's
permit.

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Add that when

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» Absolutely. Yeah, that great great point
from the city manager that um if if they

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wanted to
have if a private school that applies

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for a special use permit in a
residential district wanted to include

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daycare or preschool, they could apply
for that in the moment as well. And the

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ordinance would allow for that in the
residential districts. Mhm.

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» Any other questions from the council at
our

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at this time?

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Okay. Thank you, Anne.
We are still in the open. We are in the

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um
public hearing. So, if anyone would like

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to address the council at this time
concerning this zoning ordinance

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amendment as presented, this is the time
to do so. If you do, please come forward

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and give us your name and address.
Glad to hear from you if you like.

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Okay.
I don't see anyone rushing the podium,

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so
All right. I will then close the public

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hearing since no one is coming forward
and turn it over to council for any more

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discussion and or motion when you are
ready.

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» Mayor Joe, I would like to note that for
the record I have attended Water Life in

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the past and I would just like to let
the council know if anyone has any issue

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with me voting on this issue.
I've not attended since January and I

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didn't know anything about this until
just recently, so

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but I do want to make note of it.

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» See anything
issue with that.

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» I don't think it's an issue for either
one of these. It's it's potentially an

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issue for the special use if we get to
that,

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but I don't I don't see it as a
conflict.

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Previously been a member of that church.

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» Okay.
>> For attending.

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» All right. Thank you.
All right. Any other discussion or

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comments?

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You ready? We'll entertain
a motion.

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» Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion
that we approve the zoning ordinance

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amendment ZOA 1-26 as presented.
>> Okay. We have a motion from Mayor Pro

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Tem Perkins that we approve the zoning
ordinance amendment as presented.

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Any other comments, good discussion? All
in favor, please say I.

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» I.
>> With a consistency

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» With a consistency statement, yeah.
Well, that would be included in that.

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» Yeah, what he said.
>> That all right?

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» For sure.
>> Thank you.

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All right. That motion was unanimous.
Thank you for that.

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All right. We'll move on in to the
second public hearing, which is the

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special use permit, this is SUP 2-26.
This is for a Water Life Private School,

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West Lenoir Elementary
School at 117 Maple Drive Northwest.

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This is a quasi-judicial hearing. It
will be held to consider a request to

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reuse the vacant building located at 117
Maple Drive as a private school.

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Planning Board recommends approval of
the requested special use permit for the

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private school with the following
conditions, which I'm going to allow the

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a planning director of Hannah Williams
to present to you in a few minutes.

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Uh
Mr. War, you want to go ahead and talk

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about the
>> Yeah, I just said this last week, so

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you're you're going to hear it from me
again. Let me remind everyone about

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quasi-judicial hearings. Got my little
Got my little guidebook to remind me

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exactly what to say.
>> We appreciate it.

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» So, this is a Unlike the previous
hearing, which was a legislative

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hearing, which the council could have
heard people say, "We don't like it. We

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like it." That sort of thing.
Uh and if they approved that, this is

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now a quasi-judicial. It's an
evidentiary hearing. Um this means that

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it's like a court hearing.
Um you have to There are specific

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procedures that this council has already
put in place for consideration of

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quasi-judicial matters.
Um your discretion is limited. There's

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basically a checklist of things that the
applicant must meet. If they meet those

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things, you must approve the
uh permit. If they don't meet them, uh

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you can't. Uh the board has to base its
decision upon competent, relevant, and

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substantial evidence in the record. So,
just like last week, anyone who speaks

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has to be sworn. It's uh it's actual
evidence. It's not a popularity contest,

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so you can't Unlike the previous
hearing, you couldn't have someone say,

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"And you know, I just don't like this. I
don't think you should approve it cuz I

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don't want a school near me." or
something like that. Um it

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The uh the meeting, obviously, is open
to the the

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but only certain people can participate.
If this were a more contentious hearing,

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occasionally you would have attorneys
that would object and present and

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present evidence and that sort of thing,
but people can't offer opinions unless

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they're qualified as experts. If someone
were to stand up and say, "Uh the school

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bringing too much traffic in the
neighborhood." They'd actually They

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wouldn't be allowed to say that. They'd
actually have to have a traffic expert

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that's done studies and that sort of
thing. Um

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So, that's sort of from the side of
people that are testifying. On your

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side, as you already mentioned, um you
wouldn't want to have a trial in front

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of a judge who had already decided the
case ahead of time or was best buddies

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with the opposing party or something
like that. So,

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uh the parties are entitled to an
impartial board. You can't participate

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if you have a fixed opinion about the
matter, like if your view is

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"No more schools anywhere. We have
enough schools." You wouldn't be allowed

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to vote on this.
Um if you have a if you had a financial

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interest in the matter, so if you were
on the board of of the Water Life

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Church, it might be inappropriate for
you to be or if you have a close effect

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close relationship with an affected
person, like if you were married to one

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of the applicants or they were engaged
or something like that. Um you can't

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have You can't have anyone who's con-
Well,

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if someone has contacted you about this
beforehand, you have to disclose it. And

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if you've engaged in a conversation with
them, you would have to recuse yourself.

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If you've gone out to the site saying,
"Oh, there's the special use permit. I'm

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going to go check out the site." Again,
you can't You wouldn't be able to

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00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:52,000
participate then or at least you would
have to disclose it. Um again, you If

218
00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:54,640
you were having a trial about a boundary
line, you wouldn't want the judge to

219
00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:57,200
have gone out ahead of time and taken a
look at the property or something like

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00:16:56,040 --> 00:17:00,120
that. So,
putting spelling all that out, does

221
00:16:58,800 --> 00:17:03,839
anyone have anything they need to
disclose about any involvement they've

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00:17:01,960 --> 00:17:06,640
had with this or communica- ex parte
communications?

223
00:17:06,839 --> 00:17:13,360
All right. Turn it back over to you.
>> Thank you, sir. Thank you for that.

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00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:16,640
All right. We are in the uh public
hearing now. I'll open the public

225
00:17:14,839 --> 00:17:20,880
hearing. I'll again will bring our pub-
planning director Anna Williams up and

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00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:23,959
Anna, you will have to be sworn
officially at this time.

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00:17:24,360 --> 00:17:30,760
Anybody that is planning to speak to
this, if you would like to be sworn now,

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00:17:29,120 --> 00:17:34,560
we can do it and then you won't have to
do that individually, so.

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00:17:35,480 --> 00:17:37,920
All right.

230
00:17:54,200 --> 00:17:58,000
» Another couple of slides for you this
evening.

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00:18:06,840 --> 00:18:13,960
All right, with the text amendment in
place, uh we can now discuss the special

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00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:19,200
use permit for the proposed private
elementary school at 117 Maple Drive,

233
00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:23,520
the location of former West Lenoir
Elementary School.

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00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:26,880
Uh following the closure of the school
in 2021-2022,

235
00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:32,400
um
it was sold to a private owner, Hass So

236
00:18:30,320 --> 00:18:37,480
Holdings LLC.
Um it's zoned R12 and the property is

237
00:18:34,720 --> 00:18:40,880
about 4 acres. Waterlife Church is
considering developing a private school

238
00:18:39,360 --> 00:18:45,480
at this site.
Here's a zoning map of the property.

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00:18:43,720 --> 00:18:51,280
This is the property.
It's um R12. R12 is is that brown color.

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00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:56,000
Most of this neighborhood is R12. It
does butt up against R9, a multi-family

241
00:18:54,080 --> 00:19:01,560
zone.
It's also in a study listed a national

242
00:18:59,120 --> 00:19:06,200
register study listed neighborhood. Uh
and this is a map uh from the state

243
00:19:03,680 --> 00:19:11,520
historic preservation office. That green
polygon is around what is considered

244
00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:16,560
Fairfield Park, a a neighborhood, and
that means there's many intact historic

245
00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:21,000
elements in the neighborhood.
Um the orange dots are properties that

246
00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:25,560
have been surveyed and noted for
historic qualities.

247
00:19:22,800 --> 00:19:31,960
Um there's nothing binding uh these
properties to remain historic uh at this

248
00:19:28,680 --> 00:19:36,120
time. However, should the city pursue uh
getting the neighborhood on the national

249
00:19:33,640 --> 00:19:41,720
register in the future, uh we would want
to preserve those historic elements. So,

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00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:46,200
there are some conditions of approval
for the subject school building.

251
00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:50,680
Um
and uh these were drafted by planning

252
00:19:48,840 --> 00:19:55,400
staff in consultation with the State
Historic Preservation Office so that

253
00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:59,720
those historic qualities remain.
Uh the brick exterior of the building

254
00:19:57,320 --> 00:20:04,560
must not be painted, stuccoed, in any
way obscured, nor the decorative brick

255
00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:09,120
patterns altered in any way.
The concrete accents, including the

256
00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:12,640
parapet coping, the cornice, the swag
relief panel,

257
00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:17,000
and the stones around the entrances must
be retained. No additions shall be

258
00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:21,360
attached to the existing school
building.

259
00:20:18,120 --> 00:20:26,440
Uh if accessibility ramps are needed, uh
these should be added to the side or

260
00:20:23,280 --> 00:20:30,720
rear elevations. Uh and existing window
and door openings must be retained. The

261
00:20:28,840 --> 00:20:33,920
current windows and doors do not appear
to be original to the building. If the

262
00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:37,760
current windows and doors need to be
replaced, the material should fit within

263
00:20:35,840 --> 00:20:43,200
the existing openings without requiring
openings to be resized and filler

264
00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:48,240
material should be avoided.
Uh so, those are the conditions of

265
00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:52,240
approval. There are uh a set of eight
findings that must be met prior to

266
00:20:50,440 --> 00:20:56,160
approval, and I'm going to read those
now for the record.

267
00:20:54,480 --> 00:21:00,200
With regard to development standards,
the applicant has no plans to expand the

268
00:20:58,120 --> 00:21:03,240
exterior structure of the school. So,
all building heights and setbacks will

269
00:21:01,640 --> 00:21:08,040
remain the same.
With regard to driveways and ingress and

270
00:21:05,760 --> 00:21:11,840
egress, current driveways and parking
will remain in place as the applicant is

271
00:21:10,320 --> 00:21:17,000
not planning an expansion to the
buildings. All patches, holes, or other

272
00:21:14,840 --> 00:21:20,200
deficiencies of the paved areas on site
will need to be repaired by the

273
00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:23,720
applicant so as to come into compliance
with design standards as well as to

274
00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:27,320
prevent any safety issues for
pedestrians, drivers, students, and

275
00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:31,440
staff of the proposed school.
With regard to off-street parking, the

276
00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:35,920
existing parking area is adequate for
the intended use of the development.

277
00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:40,600
With regard to impacts on surrounding
property, the usage will have a similar

278
00:21:38,960 --> 00:21:43,440
or lesser impact than the previous
school that occupied the building for

279
00:21:42,040 --> 00:21:47,360
many years.
As for screening and landscaping, a

280
00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:51,400
vegetative buffer of 15 ft must remain
in place or be restored on the southern

281
00:21:49,840 --> 00:21:56,360
property lines.
The applicant will maintain that plants

282
00:21:53,440 --> 00:22:00,800
and if need if any need replacing, new
plants will be planted in accordance

283
00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:04,480
with the city's zoning ordinance.
As for signage and lighting, the

284
00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:10,080
applicant will use a 6-ft tall monument
sign with 32 sq ft of lettering or copy

285
00:22:07,840 --> 00:22:13,800
area. It will be designed to have low
impact on the neighboring properties. As

286
00:22:12,360 --> 00:22:17,680
for the architectural appearance, the
applicant will maintain the historic

287
00:22:15,320 --> 00:22:21,000
nature of the structure. No additions to
the current Westland school building

288
00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:25,080
will occur.
As for the hours of operation and

289
00:22:22,680 --> 00:22:28,560
intensity of the the use, the school
will have a similar impact as the

290
00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:32,520
previous school. The children and
parents that attend will sign a code of

291
00:22:30,600 --> 00:22:37,160
conduct stating it is a privilege to
attend and must adhere to a standard

292
00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:42,320
level of conduct. Applicant states that
7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. will be the hours

293
00:22:39,360 --> 00:22:42,320
of operation.

294
00:22:43,520 --> 00:22:50,120
Um planning board uh again discussed
this in their July meeting and

295
00:22:47,960 --> 00:22:54,760
recommends approval of the requested
special use permit for the proposed

296
00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:58,040
school with the historic uh conditions
um

297
00:22:56,240 --> 00:23:00,800
that I read for the record. I would also
like to submit the staff report for the

298
00:22:59,720 --> 00:23:05,360
record.
>> That's a great idea.

299
00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:08,280
» That concludes my prepared comments and
if you have any questions, I'm

300
00:23:06,400 --> 00:23:11,840
available.
>> Thank you, Anna.

301
00:23:09,560 --> 00:23:16,560
Anyone have any questions or
or comments for Hannah in any way

302
00:23:15,440 --> 00:23:20,840
concerning the
concerning this

303
00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:23,120
special use permit.
>> I have a couple questions.

304
00:23:22,560 --> 00:23:26,240
» Go ahead.
>> Um

305
00:23:24,080 --> 00:23:30,000
hours of operation 7:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. Does that mean they cannot have

306
00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:32,560
like an evening
>> concert?

307
00:23:33,120 --> 00:23:38,600
» I think that is meant to be the typical
hours.

308
00:23:36,360 --> 00:23:41,920
We could adjust that here in this
hearing if needed. Um

309
00:23:40,280 --> 00:23:46,680
» I mean, it's fine. I I just want to make
sure that that we have clarity on that.

310
00:23:45,440 --> 00:23:49,480
Um
cuz I know there'll be sometimes where

311
00:23:48,240 --> 00:23:54,800
they need a night time event for
parents. Um

312
00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:54,800
and

313
00:23:55,480 --> 00:24:01,800
with the concrete
at the front of the building

314
00:24:00,960 --> 00:24:04,960
is it
the

315
00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:08,840
proposed language says to maintain those
things as they are.

316
00:24:06,640 --> 00:24:12,880
» Which concrete?
Um

317
00:24:09,880 --> 00:24:15,680
» In the historic qualities.
>> Yeah, it was number

318
00:24:14,840 --> 00:24:19,080
two.
Yeah, but I mean, if you're looking at

319
00:24:17,480 --> 00:24:22,000
the building, you're you're thinking of
something.

320
00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:27,640
» Yeah, right there. So
it says to um

321
00:24:25,080 --> 00:24:27,640
How's it worded?

322
00:24:29,680 --> 00:24:37,320
must be retained.
>> You talking about the parapet and

323
00:24:32,760 --> 00:24:43,080
» Yes, yes, number two up there. So um
when it says it must be retained

324
00:24:40,760 --> 00:24:48,520
if something becomes structurally
unsafe, something of that nature, do

325
00:24:46,120 --> 00:24:50,280
they need to put it back with the way it
looks originally?

326
00:24:49,720 --> 00:24:55,080
» Yes.
>> Okay. That's fine.

327
00:24:52,080 --> 00:25:00,640
And then for um
knowing the age of that building,

328
00:24:57,880 --> 00:25:06,400
fire code
as part of the permitting,

329
00:25:03,120 --> 00:25:09,480
will they have to bring things to modern
fire code

330
00:25:08,120 --> 00:25:12,680
uh
if it wasn't already?

331
00:25:11,360 --> 00:25:18,080
» So,
I am not a building inspector, so I'm

332
00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:21,720
not um certified in the North Carolina
building code, but my understanding is

333
00:25:19,880 --> 00:25:26,240
that historic buildings need to meet
something called existing building code,

334
00:25:24,080 --> 00:25:30,600
and um
Caldwell County in- uh building

335
00:25:28,480 --> 00:25:34,240
inspections is very familiar with that,
and I'm

336
00:25:32,440 --> 00:25:36,800
I imagine that that they'll be able to
work with what they have.

337
00:25:35,400 --> 00:25:41,280
» Yeah. Okay.
Okay.

338
00:25:39,040 --> 00:25:43,800
But that would be a Caldwell County
uh

339
00:25:42,040 --> 00:25:46,480
once something were to happen, they
permitting, they would be taking that

340
00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:48,600
part of it. Okay.
>> It would have to meet all of that.

341
00:25:47,800 --> 00:25:53,000
» Okay.
>> Yeah.

342
00:25:50,280 --> 00:25:57,720
» Uh I think that's all my
>> the building in its current

343
00:25:55,800 --> 00:26:04,160
status
would meet that? Or it would have to

344
00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:10,400
meet current 2026?
>> My understanding is that um

345
00:26:07,640 --> 00:26:14,000
historic buildings and structures, there
are they don't have to meet everything a

346
00:26:12,320 --> 00:26:18,440
modern brand new building will have to
meet. That um

347
00:26:16,840 --> 00:26:21,880
that there's there's a way to meet the
North Carolina building code without

348
00:26:20,080 --> 00:26:25,000
having to put like
everything modern inside of it. Um

349
00:26:24,520 --> 00:26:29,360
there's a
>> big a big issue for

350
00:26:27,800 --> 00:26:31,720
them running the school, so
>> Right.

351
00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:36,800
» want them to be scrapped.
>> Sure. Yeah. Or having to

352
00:26:34,640 --> 00:26:41,480
put on an addition, and then they're not
able to put on an an addition,

353
00:26:38,680 --> 00:26:44,520
certainly. Um
I I would

354
00:26:42,760 --> 00:26:48,320
I don't I'm not really able to speak
about the building code, but I do know

355
00:26:46,120 --> 00:26:53,840
for other historic properties,
especially in downtown Lenoir,

356
00:26:50,600 --> 00:26:58,320
um there are architects that
can design things to meet the current or

357
00:26:56,600 --> 00:27:02,000
meet the existing building code the
something called existing building code

358
00:27:00,200 --> 00:27:05,960
cuz it's an existing building
recognizing that it can't meet

359
00:27:03,480 --> 00:27:11,560
everything modern without completely
taking the building down.

360
00:27:09,000 --> 00:27:11,560
» Question then.

361
00:27:12,200 --> 00:27:18,280
I think that's all my questions.
Okay, thank you.

362
00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:20,880
Anyone else have any questions?
It's already

363
00:27:21,560 --> 00:27:27,080
a special use.
Okay.

364
00:27:25,600 --> 00:27:32,960
Thank you, Anna.
>> Um, I do have one thing. Shall we um

365
00:27:30,600 --> 00:27:38,040
edit the eighth condition about hours of
operation to allow for occasional

366
00:27:35,760 --> 00:27:41,000
evening uses for school functions or
something like that?

367
00:27:39,480 --> 00:27:42,800
» I would say that probably would be good
to do.

368
00:27:41,600 --> 00:27:46,480
» I think that'd be good.
>> With occasional Okay. I'll read that

369
00:27:44,960 --> 00:27:50,800
I'll read that for the record as I've
amended it. The school will have a

370
00:27:48,840 --> 00:27:54,280
similar impact as the previous school.
The children and parents that attend

371
00:27:52,240 --> 00:27:58,440
will sign a code of conduct stating it
is a privilege to attend and must adhere

372
00:27:56,320 --> 00:28:02,600
to a standard level of conduct.
Applicant states that the that 7:00 a.m.

373
00:28:01,040 --> 00:28:06,920
to 5:00 p.m. will be the hours of
operation with occasional evening uses

374
00:28:05,040 --> 00:28:12,520
for school functions.
>> That sounds great. That covers it.

375
00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:15,080
That'll set a good model for the next
time.

376
00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:19,840
» Pre-K and you want to add that?
>> Um, that might be a question for the

377
00:28:17,040 --> 00:28:22,360
applicants.
So.

378
00:28:22,840 --> 00:28:27,720
» Pre-pre school pre-school addition or
anything?

379
00:28:35,960 --> 00:28:40,200
» Do we need them to come to the podium
for that?

380
00:28:39,000 --> 00:28:44,280
» They have to get sworn in otherwise you
can't

381
00:28:40,280 --> 00:28:44,280
» Yeah. Right. Okay.

382
00:28:53,920 --> 00:28:57,960
» Send the big dogs up for this.

383
00:29:13,080 --> 00:29:16,920
And you can you can we know who you are.
We would just give us that for the

384
00:29:16,000 --> 00:29:20,440
record.
>> But anyway, yes, we would like to amend

385
00:29:19,040 --> 00:29:25,000
that to allow for the potential of a
preschool if we deem that in the future.

386
00:29:22,960 --> 00:29:27,680
» Okay.
Thank you, sir.

387
00:29:30,040 --> 00:29:33,880
Thank you.
All right, before I close the public

388
00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:39,200
hearing, is anyone else who would like
to address the council at all? Uh

389
00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:42,600
You can still be sworn and all that, so.
Okay, seeing no one, I will close the

390
00:29:41,160 --> 00:29:45,880
public hearing and I'll turn it over to
the council for

391
00:29:44,040 --> 00:29:49,880
any more discussion or action when you
are ready.

392
00:29:47,160 --> 00:29:56,240
» Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to
approve the special use permit SP SUP

393
00:29:53,800 --> 00:30:00,600
2-26 as presented.
>> Thank you, sir. We have a motion from

394
00:29:57,640 --> 00:30:06,240
council member Stevens that we approve
the special use permit SUP 2-26 as

395
00:30:04,880 --> 00:30:10,000
presented by
staff planning staff

396
00:30:08,080 --> 00:30:11,280
to the council.
>> Do what?

397
00:30:10,440 --> 00:30:15,160
» And as amended.
>> And as amended, thank you.

398
00:30:12,440 --> 00:30:18,000
» Adopting findings of fact.
>> Add that.

399
00:30:15,880 --> 00:30:21,560
» Please do that. Thank you.
>> That's why we pay you the big bucks.

400
00:30:21,720 --> 00:30:26,120
Thank you for that.
No other discussion. All in favor,

401
00:30:25,000 --> 00:30:29,120
please say I.
>> I.

402
00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:32,880
» All opposed. Thank you. That carries
unanimously. Thank you.

403
00:30:31,560 --> 00:30:37,880
Thank you for being with us to this
evening. We appreciate that.

404
00:30:35,480 --> 00:30:42,480
All right, we will move on then to
consent agenda items on our agenda.

405
00:30:40,680 --> 00:30:47,520
Tonight we have the minutes of our city
council meeting of Tuesday, July the

406
00:30:45,280 --> 00:30:52,800
28th, 2026.
And out of B is the approval. This is a

407
00:30:49,760 --> 00:30:57,040
preliminary settlement report. Uh the
request that the city council accept the

408
00:30:54,880 --> 00:31:03,160
preliminary settlement report as
required by the North Carolina General

409
00:30:58,680 --> 00:31:07,160
Statute NCGS 105-321
and 352.

410
00:31:04,960 --> 00:31:12,800
And that the insolvents
report be entered into the official

411
00:31:09,880 --> 00:31:17,640
minutes indicating persons whose taxes
remain unpaid for 2025.

412
00:31:15,480 --> 00:31:23,240
Also, request that both lists be
recharged to the tax collector for

413
00:31:20,760 --> 00:31:29,280
collections along with the taxes for the
fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026

414
00:31:26,840 --> 00:31:34,440
as provided by the law in accordance
with the North Carolina General Statute

415
00:31:31,280 --> 00:31:38,800
NCGS 105-321
and 352 as submitted.

416
00:31:37,240 --> 00:31:43,160
That's all items for the
consent agenda item A and B. Open it up

417
00:31:41,400 --> 00:31:47,160
for any discussion
or motion when you're ready.

418
00:31:45,720 --> 00:31:52,640
» Mr. Mayor,
make a motion that we approve the

419
00:31:48,680 --> 00:31:56,680
consent agenda items A and B.
>> Thank you. Council member Presswood

420
00:31:54,360 --> 00:32:01,680
makes a motion that we approve consent
agenda items A and B as presented. All

421
00:31:59,360 --> 00:32:07,280
in favor, please say I.
All opposed. Thank you very much.

422
00:32:04,840 --> 00:32:11,080
Now time on our agenda for a request and
petitions of any citizens. If there's

423
00:32:08,960 --> 00:32:15,440
anyone who would like to address the
council, this is the time to do so.

424
00:32:13,360 --> 00:32:19,760
I believe all of our guests have left
except for our all of our staff. Thank

425
00:32:17,680 --> 00:32:24,440
you for being here and reporter. We
appreciate you guys being with us. So,

426
00:32:22,600 --> 00:32:27,920
you have anything to to add or say or
now's the time. Okay.

427
00:32:26,680 --> 00:32:31,520
We'll move on. We do not have any
reports of our boards and commissions

428
00:32:29,760 --> 00:32:35,680
this evening, so we'll move on to
reports and recommendations of the city

429
00:32:33,320 --> 00:32:39,080
manager, Mr. Hildebrand.
>> Mayor Council, I have tonight is some

430
00:32:37,480 --> 00:32:42,520
items for information.
The Lenoir Tourism Development Authority

431
00:32:40,400 --> 00:32:47,760
will meet on Thursday, August
6th at 4:00 at the Gilded Veil,

432
00:32:45,240 --> 00:32:51,560
over hill, and that's located at 3110
Indian Grave Road.

433
00:32:49,560 --> 00:32:56,040
Uh also, the Tomato Blast event will be
held on Friday, August 7th from 6:00 to

434
00:32:53,520 --> 00:32:59,720
7:30 p.m. at the Unity Park and
Community Gardens.

435
00:32:57,760 --> 00:33:03,880
Uh also, Friday night we have a concert
downtown with Deakon Black.

436
00:33:01,960 --> 00:33:07,320
That'll be held again Friday, August 7th
from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the

437
00:33:06,040 --> 00:33:12,000
stage.
Uh the 56th 52nd annual Harambee

438
00:33:10,040 --> 00:33:16,200
Festival will be held on August 8th
through the 14th. Events will be held

439
00:33:14,160 --> 00:33:20,960
daily at the MLK Center, and all those
events can be found at cityoflenoir.com

440
00:33:18,640 --> 00:33:25,160
on our website. And I will mention that
this is the oldest um continuous

441
00:33:22,640 --> 00:33:29,440
festival in Caldwell County.
Uh the ABC Board will meet on Wednesday,

442
00:33:26,960 --> 00:33:32,160
August 12th at 2:00 at the ABC store,
the main store.

443
00:33:30,840 --> 00:33:36,520
Uh Lenoir Business Advisory Board will
meet on Thursday, August 13th at 6:00,

444
00:33:34,600 --> 00:33:40,160
third floor City Hall.
The uh Southern Sundown 4-Mile Race will

445
00:33:38,600 --> 00:33:44,160
be held on Saturday, August 15th
beginning at 7:00 p.m. The race will

446
00:33:42,160 --> 00:33:48,120
begin and end at Liquid Roots Brewing
Project. And lastly, the Parks and

447
00:33:46,280 --> 00:33:51,480
Recreation Board will meet on
Monday, August 17th at 6:00, and that's

448
00:33:50,080 --> 00:33:53,800
going to be held at Mulberry Recreation
Center.

449
00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:57,680
If you have any questions, I'll try to
answer those.

450
00:33:55,960 --> 00:34:01,040
» Any questions concerning anything coming
up?

451
00:33:59,000 --> 00:34:06,000
There is a ribbon cutting uh in the
morning at the new Seven Brew

452
00:34:04,240 --> 00:34:10,440
coffee shop.
Uh 9:45, 10:00. I think it's 10:00

453
00:34:08,919 --> 00:34:13,399
in the morning, so
we'll invite you to that if you'd like

454
00:34:11,760 --> 00:34:16,679
to be there.
Open to the public.

455
00:34:14,520 --> 00:34:22,360
» You what?
>> So, anyway, glad that new business is

456
00:34:19,000 --> 00:34:26,360
opening up in our community, for sure.
And Harambee, of course, is always a

457
00:34:24,000 --> 00:34:30,360
great event. All this next week will be
fun.

458
00:34:27,440 --> 00:34:34,840
Starts on the 8th with a fence up at the
King Center outside, and there's a

459
00:34:32,760 --> 00:34:38,480
different items that will be uh going on
all week, including the recognition

460
00:34:37,120 --> 00:34:42,520
banquet
Thursday, the senior citizens is

461
00:34:40,360 --> 00:34:47,399
Tuesday, and there's game night and
several other things. So, hope you will

462
00:34:44,560 --> 00:34:47,399
come out to

463
00:34:47,520 --> 00:34:53,600
Yeah, and congratulations to be
presented to

464
00:34:51,480 --> 00:34:59,560
our own council member Chrissy Thomas,
who will be inducted into the Black

465
00:34:55,760 --> 00:35:03,360
Sports Hall of Fame to Friday evening
at the MLK Center. Congratulations to

466
00:35:02,320 --> 00:35:05,800
you for
that.

467
00:35:07,080 --> 00:35:12,880
Thank you.
She was great She was a great athlete

468
00:35:09,920 --> 00:35:12,880
once upon a time.

469
00:35:14,040 --> 00:35:18,800
Still is. I think she still plays some.
So, uh

470
00:35:17,160 --> 00:35:22,800
we'll see. But, anyway, congratulations
for that.

471
00:35:20,800 --> 00:35:27,600
Couple of state championship teams back
in those days, wasn't it? Yeah.

472
00:35:24,520 --> 00:35:31,400
I remember correctly, '85, '86, eh?
>> Back to back.

473
00:35:28,600 --> 00:35:35,800
» Back to back. Yep, that's right.
All that. So, all right.

474
00:35:34,200 --> 00:35:39,400
Anything you want to Anybody want to add
to that? Anything? Okay.

475
00:35:37,880 --> 00:35:40,440
Mr. City Attorney, anything else from
you?

476
00:35:39,920 --> 00:35:43,560
» No, sir.
>> Thank you, sir.

477
00:35:41,720 --> 00:35:47,080
I do not have any other recommendations
of anything tonight. We've talked about

478
00:35:44,960 --> 00:35:51,640
so much the last 2 weeks, there's not
much to add to to anything, but uh it's

479
00:35:49,520 --> 00:35:55,640
been a really busy busy time in the
summer. Hope you will enjoy the concerts

480
00:35:54,080 --> 00:36:00,240
and the many events that are still going
on through August and through into

481
00:35:57,640 --> 00:36:05,360
September. Uh there's a lot still to
happen, and we'll be celebrating 250 for

482
00:36:03,320 --> 00:36:07,760
as long as we can this year. So, enjoy
that.

483
00:36:06,440 --> 00:36:11,040
Any reports from any of our council
members?

484
00:36:08,800 --> 00:36:16,720
Anything to come up?
Okay. If nothing else to come before us,

485
00:36:13,720 --> 00:36:16,720
we stand adjourned.

486
00:36:38,200 --> 00:36:40,280
» Mhm.