Council to decide rezoning issue regarding solar farm
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on January 31, 2016 1:45 AM
In a diversion from a recommendation made by Goldsboro's planning commission, city staff have recommended that the Goldsboro City Council deny a rezoning request from Heights Solar Farm, LLC, at its meeting on Monday night that would allow the construction of a solar farm on Thoroughfare Road.
At a planning commission meeting held on Monday, Jan. 25, the commission recommended that the rezoning request be approved.
The reason for the staff's reversal of the decision made by the planning commission listed on the City Council agenda is that the area is proposed as best being used for residential development in the city's comprehensive land use plan.
This item regarding the solar farm appears on the council's consent agenda for Monday night, meaning if the council votes to approve the consent agenda as it currently reads, the solar farm will be blocked from being developed.
But the council is expected to approve three other site and landscape plans for new business developments throughout the city.
The first is a site plan for a Domino's Pizza that would be located at the corner of Royall Avenue and Sunburst Drive.
The proposed site for the pizza business is currently vacant property, and is not located far from an existing Domino's location at the corner of Royall Avenue and North Spence Avenue.
The second development the council is expected to approve is a submitted site plan for a new office building for Precision Plumbing, which is located on the north side of Fedelon Trail.
The proposed building is a 6,000 square-foot one-story office building, with 2,000 square feet being used for office space and 4,000 square feet being used for storage.
An additional 4,000 square-foot building is proposed for the rear of the Precision Plumbing property, with additional construction of 25 new parking spaces being shown also.
Another plan for a restaurant called The Soul Bowl is expected to be approved by the council. Site plans show the business will be located on the corner of Leslie Street and Elm Street.
Plans for this restaurant were originally approved in 2010, but the applicant's father became ill and plans for the business were delayed.
Since plan approval has a lifespan of one year, the council will need to reapprove the site and landscape plans for the business at its meeting Monday night.
The council is also expected to authorize multiple budget amendments in one fell swoop when it approves its consent agenda on Monday night.
The following amendments are expected to be authorized:
1) In March 2015, the council approved for the Fire Department to purchase containers to construct a fire training facility. The training ground construction included additional expenditures for the foundation, erection of the containers, and fencing. The Fire Department utilized existing operating funding within their budget in the amount of $35,000 for these expenditures. An appropriation for $35,000 will occur so that the Fire Department can continue to pay normal operating expenditures for the rest of this fiscal year.
2) Upcoming expenditures for hosting the North Carolina Main Street Conference:
* From the General Fund:
a. Union Station Window Coverings -- $3,200
b. Main Street Conference Hosting Fees -- $4,610
* From the Municipal Service District Fund:
a. JC Penney Parking Lot improvements -- $4,000
b. John Street Parking Lot improvements -- $3,500
c. Gidden's Clock Repairs -- $3,000
d. Light Pole Painting -- $8,450
3) The council approved for staff to move forward with the repairs and resurfacing for Mulberry Street from Center to James Street at a cost of $20,004. An appropriation of $20,004 is required.
4) Council approved for the resurfacing of surrounding streets associated with the Goldsboro-Wayne Transportation Authority Transfer Station and Walnut Street improvements that were not funded with the TIGER V Grant funding. The additional resurfacing totaled $110,457. An appropriation of $110,457 will occur to cover the costs.
5) Within the Travel and Tourism Division, the city received the reimbursement for North Carolina Tennis Association expenses in the amount of $9,054.
6) The city manager discussed with the council repairs to the sidewalks and meter boxes on John Street in front of Torero's Family Mexican Restaurant and jay's Sushi and burger Bar. An appropriation is needed from the General Fund for the sidewalk repairs in the amount of $12,300, and $16,000 from the Utility Fund for the meter box adjustments and retrofits.
7) In accordance with the intergovernmental agreement, Wayne County contributed $200,000 towards the renovations of the Goldsboro Country Club. These funds will be used to complete the parking lot improvements, landscaping installation, site and cart path renovations, additional furnishings and demolition to current club house facility. An amendment to the budget to reflect the additional revenue and expenditure is needed.
This is a total of $220,521 in amendments to the current budget that will be authorized by the City Council on Monday night.
The council's work session begins at 5 p.m., and the regular session begins at 7 p.m. The public is welcome to attend both sessions.