Parks and Rec plan on agenda
By Ty Johnson
Published in News on February 17, 2013 1:50 AM
Parks and Recreation is expected to again be the lead topic of discussion at Monday's meeting of the Goldsboro City Council where the city's governing body is expected to make a decision on the department's master plan after delaying its approval three times before.
The plan, which is not a binding document, identifies the department's vision for the next five years and beyond, showing needs to update some facilities and lay the groundwork for new ones.
The master plan, which is technically a revision of the department's previous master plan, is based on extensive public input and was put together by officials with the N.C. State Recreation Resources Services over the summer at a bargain price.
Council members indicated they were in favor of approving the plan during the second day of its retreat Tuesday, but decided to delay the vote because two council members were missing.
The council also tabled another decision concerning Parks and Recreation at its retreat as the city's next step toward building a new W.A. Foster Recreation Center has been delayed, as well.
The council was asked to approve $47,543 to be put toward the design and engineering work for the new center, but council members asked that the decision be put off until the retreat.
W.A. Foster wasn't discussed extensively during the retreat and the measure doesn't appear on Monday's agenda.
The agenda does contain, however, several public hearings as the City Council and Planning Commission will seek the public's input on four measures.
Two public hearings will concern conditional use permits for beach bingo parlors, with one proposed to open in the former Teasers Nightclub location.
The council previously denied a request by Phoenix T to open an Internet sweepstakes cafe at that location, citing setback requirements and a recent decision by the N.C. Supreme Court making Internet sweepstakes cafes illegal. Phoenix T filed the beach bingo conditional use permit request, as well.
The second beach bingo request, by Edward Miller, seeks to open up a location within New Hope Plaza Shopping Center on the north side of East New Hope Road between Central Heights and Bear Creek roads.
A public hearing will also be held for a rezoning request filed by Strata Solar Development, which seeks to open up a solar farm on the north side of Fedelon Train between North William Street and Granville Drive.
The rezoning seeks to change the zoning codes of the property from General Business and I-2 Industrial to I-2 General Industry Conditional District.
The site plan shows 27,600 solar panels would be placed on the property, which would be surrounded by a six-foot tall chain link and barbed wire fence. Screening buffers along the perimeter of the property as well.
A public hearing will also be held on an amendment to the city's manufactured home regulations, which would put the requirement in line with federal guidelines.
The council's consent agenda includes the adoption of recapture provisions for HOME-Assisted Homebuyers Activities to be incorporated into the city's Homebuyer Assistance Program's policy.
Presentations during the council's work session, which will begin at 5 p.m. in the City Hall Annex, include two held over from the council's retreat.
Planning Director Randy Guthrie will share a report on transportation with the council while City Manager Scott Stevens will revisit the council's retreat decisions.
Public Works is also expected to request more propane fuel for GATEWAY and Parks and Recreation Director Scott Barnard will share a map of proposed greenways with council members.
The regular meeting of the council begins at 7 p.m. at Historic City Hall.