MINUTES

VILLAGE OF ST. HELENA

PLANNING BOARD MEETING OF January 3, 2013

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairman Jimmy English.  Present were Chairman Jimmy English, Gerald Velie, Teresa Coleman, Melvin James, Katrina Banks, Mack Smith, Attorney Bob Hugh Corbett and Louis Hesse.

Full reading of the Minutes was dispensed in order to go directly to the subject of the new jail in St. Helena.  Mr. Corbett addressed the Planning Board regarding the guidelines we should address for a conditional use permit and does the application and conditions conform to the Land Use Plan.  The Planning Board informed Mr. Corbett we do not have any copies of the Land Use Plan.  The County had already agreed to a 200 foot vegetative buffer zone on the west, south, and east sides of the facility.  The Planning Board revised the existing condition for the buffer zone to extend further north on the east side of the proposed facility and along Front Street to further protect the residential zones.  The additional buffer will be 50 feet of vegetative buffer.  The County presented a power point presentation showing the proposed lighting, parking spaces, one entrance for personnel and one entrance for visitors, along with the proposed storm water drainage and retention pond and the location of the proposed communications tower.  The issue of additional traffic was addressed and Sheriff Carson Smith said there are usually around 20 employees on site at all times and visitation for the inmates only occur on Saturdays and Sundays.  Addressing the concern for noise, odor, smoke, or other air-borne contaminants, Sheriff Smith said that the jail would be following the same procedures it does at its current location in Burgaw and there have been no complaints from the local businesses or residents.  The County is planning on installing a pump station designed to be large enough for St. Helena to hook into at some future date, which includes 100,000 gallon capacity and a 6-12 inch capacity line.  St. Helena would not have any ownership responsibilities connected with the pump station and any decision to tie into the system at some point in the future would be up to St. Helena.  Some of the final decisions are dependent on what the State will approve.  The water supply for the jail would come from the main pipe located on the east side of Hwy 117. The issue of solid waste removal was also addressed.  The County will be responsible for disposing of any and all solid waste generated by the facility.  The question of a helipad was brought up.  A helipad is not an approved use and there are no plans for a helipad.  The County also asked that the signage limitations be revised from 32 square feet to 48 square feet with a height limit of 6 feet.  In summary, along with the conditions set forth previously by the Planning Board, conditions now include the following: (1) that lighting not affect adjacent property; (2) the County will be responsible for their own solid waste removal; (3) the pump station should have a 6-12 inch pressurized line pipe; (4) the pump station would be located at the most southern point to accommodate any future hookup with St. Helena; (5) a 50 foot wide vegetative buffer would be extended on the east side of the facility and also along Front Street;  (6) the signage limits were revised from 32 square feet to 48 square feet with a 6 foot height limit.  All points were unanimously approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.