04/10/17 — Council delays review of fees

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Council delays review of fees

By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on April 10, 2017 9:57 AM

The Goldsboro City Council held off on reviewing a proposed stormwater fee presentation but approved several business items during its recent meeting.

Rick Fletcher, Goldsboro public works director, was prepared to present ideas from a newly formed stormwater committee, which recommends new monthly fees to control flooding and other city problems. One recommendation includes a monthly residential fee of $4.50. Fees, including commercial, industrial and multi-tenant, which would be higher, could boost city revenues for stormwater management to nearly $1.5 million.

Fletcher's presentation has been delayed twice during the past month, due to other council discussions taking precedence. If fees are approved, they would likely be charged after the start of the city's new fiscal year, on July 1.

The council approved most items on its agenda, except for a property rezoning request for a multi-tenant shopping center, which includes the Lantern Inn restaurant, on East Ash Street.

Mayor Chuck Allen, owner of the Lantern Inn but not the property, recused himself from the vote.

First Citizens Bank asked to rezone the shopping center properties, at 2201 and 2207 E. Ash St., from a neighborhood business to a general business zone to expand the types of business uses allowed on the property.

The Goldsboro Planning Commission recommended approval, but the council denied the rezoning in a 6-0 vote. Councilman Gene Aycock said he voted against the rezoning due to the shopping center being located next to a residential area.

Also during the meeting, the council :

* Set a May 15 public hearing for the proposed closing of several streets, most which include dirt paths;

* Adopted a resolution requesting federal and state agencies support increased efforts to prevent flooding in the Lower Neuse Basin;

* Approved naming a private drive at the entrance of Elmwood Cemetery to PFC Dan Bullock Way;

* Approved a site plan for 10.2 acres at 701 S. George St.;

* Approved a N.C. Department of Transportation request to close a crossover on U.S. 70 West at West Grantham Street;

* Approved a $47,000 auditing service contract, with the Carr, Riggs and Ingram, for the fiscal year ending June 30;

* Adopted capital project fund ordinances for a $3 million loan for the future multisport complex and $5.45 million loan for water metering infrastructure;

* Approved closing downtown streets for the Greater Goldsboro Road Run on April 8 and the Wings of Wayne Military Appreciation Festival and Goldsboro High Alumni parade on May 27;

* Appointed Tyrone Starkie and Robert Taylor to the Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities.