Minutes

Village of St. Helena Town Hall Hearing

February 13, 2020

Present were Mayor Robert Barnhill, Mayor Pro-Tem Judy Katalinic, Councilman William Hunter, Councilwoman Kaye Knowles, Councilwoman Margaret Brinzey, Councilwoman Nancy Jones, Planner Kim Rivenbark, Village Attorney Nathaniel Coleman, Village Clerk Mary D. Bakan, and Building Inspector Louis T. Hesse.

In the audience were Mr. and Mrs. Bill Baker, Mike Frazier (Westgate), Adam Oaks (architect for Westgate), Brad Sedgwick (JBS Consulting, PA), and Larry Neuwirth.

Mayor Barnhill called the hearing to order. The hearing was consideration of an application to modify a Conditional Use Permit to build and expand auto sales and for a temporary sales building for property located at 1320 U.S. Highway 117 South.

Westgate requested the modification.

Mike Frazier, Adam Oaks, and Brad Sedgwick were sworn in by Attorney Coleman.

Kim Rivenbark gave an overview of the request by Westgate. She pointed out that the Village of St. Helena Planning Board recommended that Westgate be allowed to have 210 days to get permits instead of the previously approved 120 and 21 months for the trailer to remain instead of previously approved 18 months.

With this change, it is most likely Westgate would not have to pay any fines.

Nancy Jones commented that the trailer was moved in weeks before permission was granted.

Mike Frazier pointed out that Westgate got permits from St. Helena (building) and Burgaw (sewer) before the regular meeting of the Village of St. Helena’s January 2020 regular meeting. He pointed out that they thought they would have the permits by November 2019.

There was a problem with the time originally stated by the architect. Hurricanes were blamed for some of the delays.

In October, Westgate was notified by Kim Rivenbark that time was running out. Westgate filed for an appeal on October 30, 2019.

Plans were submitted to Westgate on December 18, 2019 and sent to contractors in Mid-January 2020.

Frazier pointed out that he was working on getting the driveways reduced. Automobiles were not be on the right-of-way as requested in the previous CUP.

G.F. Goodrich estimates 90-150 days if all goes right.

Frazier said that the storm water and drainage plans have been approved. He said that it will take 8-9 months to construct the building. Jeep Company wants it built a certain way. He estimated completion by April 1^st, 2021. Sales office will be built first, then the service bays.

Mayor Barnhill asked if the dealership will be open on Sundays. Frazier stated that no decision had been made but it will depend on local customs.

There were no questions from the council, so Mayor Barnhill closed the hearing.

Margaret Brinzey made a motion to allow the request from Westgate to modify the CUP granted June 10, 2019 to allow an additional 90 days from building permits to be issued. Use of the modular unit shall be allowed for 21 months. Judy Katalinic seconded the motion.

Nancy Jones voted no, Kaye Knowles voted no, William Hunter voted no, Margaret Brinzey voted yes, and Judy Katalinic voted yes.

Mayor Barnhill stated that the request for an extension has been denied by a vote of 3 to 2.

Kim Rivenbark stated that the CUP stands as was written.

On motion by Nancy Jones, and seconded by Judy Katalinic, the hearing was adjourned unanimously.