Council listens to zoning requests
By From staff reports
Published in News on February 26, 2012 1:50 AM
Five people spoke at the Goldsboro City Council's meeting Monday concerning a conditional use permit allowing a convenience store to open at the corner of Cuyler Best and New Hope roads.
The permit, requested by E.J. Pope, seeks to bring a Handy Mart with an attached restaurant to the intersection as part of the first phase of a master plan effort mapping out a larger plot of land.
That plan shows a connection eventually being paved from Sunset Drive's cul-de-sac to a roundabout on the new development which lies between the other subdivided plots of land.
One opponent to the plan noted that a blue line stream on the property had prevented previous efforts to develop the land and he questioned how it could be done now. City Manager Scott Stevens said after the meeting that he would be looking into that issue.
Another opponent was concerned about the peace of the neighborhood, while the developer and his attorney noted that the land had already been zoned for neighborhood business -- a zoning code that allows for convenience stores.
Other public hearings Monday night -- one concerning a conditional use permit for an Internet gaming facility and another concerning the adoption of a transportation separation study -- did not garner speakers.
A recommendation on a new Internet cafe, which is proposed within the New Hope Plaza Shopping Center, is expected at the March 5 council meeting, as well as the approval for the study of a plan that would close Mulberry Street where it passes over the railroad track near Saint Mark's Church of Christ.
Presentations during the council's work session included one by Parks and Recreation Director Scott Barnard floating the idea of increasing the department's 2011-12 share of the city's match of a grant.
The city received the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to go toward renovations at Stoney Creek Park, but the grant is reimbursement-based. Barnard aims to request additional funding this year through a budget ordinance so he can move forward with the plans to build bathrooms at the park. The first allotment of funds has gone toward entrance enhancements, including a concrete drive into the parking lot off Ash Street.
Human Resource Director Faye Reeves also discussed staffing vacancies, bringing about a vote by council to fill all of her requested staff positions besides three Stevens said could possibly be held.
The consent agenda was approved, containing an appropriation for the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. to contract with a graphic artist to produce renderings in support of the department's facade grant. Four items granting the Police Department to accept $31,778.31 from drug forfeiture reimbursements and departmental reports rounded out the consent agenda.