Council to take another look at downtown parking Tuesday
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on September 3, 2017 6:16 PM
News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
The Goldsboro City Council is considering imposing a two-hour time limit on downtown parking spaces from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
The Goldsboro City Council will revisit a proposal to establish time limits on downtown parking during its meeting Tuesday.
The council considered the restrictions during its Aug. 21 meeting but delayed its vote due to concerns raised about people living at the Waynesborough House along Center Street.
The proposed restrictions include setting two-hour time limits for parking spaces along Center Street, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. All parking spaces, angled and parallel, would be included along Center Street, from Ash to Chestnut streets.
The Downtown Goldsboro Merchants Association asked for the restrictions due to an interest in freeing up parking spaces during peak business hours. DGMA members are also concerned that downtown residents and employees are tying up parking spaces for extended periods of time.
The city's parking study, completed by VHB of Raleigh, also concluded that Center Street has parking supply challenges in meeting demand during peak times.
If approved, violators will be fined by the city, said Scott Stevens, city manager. No specific fines have been attached to the proposal but the city already issues parking tickets of $25 or $50 for improper parking in handicapped zones, traffic lanes, intersections, loading zones, at bus stops and near fire hydrants.
"It is not my intent to aggressively enforce or deter people from coming downtown," Stevens said, during an August interview. "My hope is to educate and fine those who regularly park for extended periods."
The council will decide on the parking restrictions during its 7 p.m. meeting in City Hall, at 214 N. Center St.
BUSCO BEACH ETJ
Also during the meeting, the council will consider removing from its extra-territorial jurisdiction Busco Beach and properties along Bryan Boulevard, off U.S. 117 South.
A total of 78 lots containing more than 845 acres is included in the ETJ removal, including the 678-acre Busco Beach and ATV Park.
City leaders decided to consider the ETJ removal after concerns were raised by a resident asking that the city's ordinance be enforced that prohibits the use of all-terrain vehicles after 11 p.m.
Resident Yvonne Stanley, who lives on Bryan Boulevard near Busco Beach, learned that the Goldsboro Police Department is unable to enforce city zoning rules and city planning staff lack the capacity to enforce the regulations.
By removing the ETJ, the nighttime hour restriction would no longer be required. The property would fall under Wayne County jurisdiction, including being subject to its noise ordinance, according to Chip Crumpler, Wayne County planning director.
HURRICANE RELIEF, NEW DRUG STORE
Also during the meeting, the council will review other city business, including:
• Approving a resolution in support of Wayne County's Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery grant application of $25.4 million. The city, a sub-grantee of the county, is expected to receive $9.4 million in CDBG funds for Hurricane Matthew disaster recovery projects, with the majority of the funding going toward housing needs for people with low to moderate incomes.
• A site and landscape plan for Realo Discount Drugs, which is interested opening inside a 3,000-square-foot building at 515 E. New Hope Road, near Central Heights Road.
The company plans to renovate the existing building, previously used as a convenience store and gas station, at the 1.7-acre site. The Realo Discount Drugs chain is located in other nearby cities, including Kinston and Snow Hill.
• A request to amend a conditional-use permit allowing later closing hours for Slocumb Mini Mart, at 1717 S. Slocumb St. Owner Ismail Qandeel, who previously operated Brookside Mart on South Slocumb Street, is asking that the store be allowed to stay open until 11 p.m., instead of the current closing time of 9 p.m.
• A conditional-use permit to Eli Wuest allowing a place of entertainment, with alcoholic beverage control permits, for a new wine bar and restaurant at 217 N. John St.
The two-story building, planned for renovation, includes tables, a bar and wine cellar on the first floor and tables, a bar and small stage on the second floor.
• A conditional-use permit to Southern Current for the addition of a 23-acre solar farm on Old Smithfield Road, between Hollowell and Gin Roads. The solar development on the current vacant farmland includes the addition of a 6-foot-high, chain-link fence, topped with barbed wire.
• A site and landscape plan for AAA Mini Storage, at 117 Industry Court, allowing the addition of a 9,000 square foot mini storage building. The building would be added behind existing storage facilities located on the property.
• Recognizing retired fire marshal John Morton for serving 30 years as a city employee. Morton started in the city public works department and became a city firefighter in 1990. He was promoted to fire captain in 1998, fire inspector in 2008, and fire marshal in 2014. Morton retired Sept. 1.
• Approving a Goldsboro Police Department federal Justice Assistance Grant application of $44,985. The grant, if approved, would be split with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. The city's $22,492 would be used to purchase patrol rifles. The sheriff's office is interested in purchasing tasers to replaced the department's older models.