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January 20, 2009 (Regular Meeting) Page 1145 1. The Cabarrus County planning staff person(s) shall first present the staff report and answer questions from the Commission. There will be no time limit on this presentation. 2. After the staff report and questions, the proponents (those speaking generally in favor of the rezoning) will have a total of 15 minutes to speak and/or present documents in support of their position. The 15 minute time limit does not include questions directed to the proponents by the Commission. 3. After the proponents finish, the opponents (those speaking generally against the rezoning) will have a total of 15 minutes to speak and/or present documents in support of their position. The 15 minute time limit does not include questions directed to the opponents by the Commission. 9. Each side will then have 3 minutes for rebuttal, with the proponents going first. Again, questions directed to the speaker will not count against the time limit. This will conclude the public hearing portion of the meeting and the Commission will proceed to deliberation. 5. Each side is strongly encouraged to use a spokesperson to present the positions commonly held by each. Each side is also strongly encouraged to organize their speakers and presentations to ensure that all persons wanting to speak will have time to do so. 6. If a speaker has questions of a person on the other side, such questions shall be addressed to the Commission members to be redirected to the person to be asked. There will be no direct questioning of one speaker by another except through the Commission. 7. Those persons opposing the rezoning of a particular parcel or parcels shall be limited to 3 minutes per person. 8. Public demonstrations of support for a speaker's comments should be limited to clapping. Any other type of audible support shall be out of order and subject the offender to being removed from the building. Anyone speaking out of order shall likewise be subject to removal. 9. These rules are designed to have a full and fair hearing that is orderly and expeditious and avoid unnecessarily repetitious presentations. Chairman White asked for comments from the Board on the suggested rules of procedure. Commissioner Privette questioned the 3-minute time limit, noting only five proponents/opponents will be able to speak during the 15- minute segments. Chairman White explained that only collective positions, either for or against, will be included in each 15-minute segments and parcels with unique situations will be handled separately. Commissioner Privette expressed reservation to the suggested rules, citing each taxpayer should have an opportunity to address the Board. Vice Chairman Mynatt acknowledged Commissioner Privette's viewpoint, but stated it is redundant to hear the same comments multiple times. She suggested audience members express support for a point of view by a show of hands at the conclusion of the speaker's comments. Commissioner Carruth asked for a clarification on the rules of procedures: staff report, 15-minutes for proponents; 15-minutes for opponents; rebuttals for each side and individual/unique issues will be addressed afterwards. Chairman White responded in the affirmative. He said everyone will have an opportunity to be heard and invited citizens to submit written comments to the Clerk if they are not comfortable making a verbal presentation. Chairman White asked if the Board is in favor of adopting the rules of procedure. Vice Chairman Mynatt expressed support for the rules on the following conditions: a citizen(s) should be allowed to speak if their viewpoint was not made during the 15-minute allotment; and that citizens express their support for a speaker's comments by a show of hands. Commissioner Privette further contended that every citizen should be given an opportunity to address the issue even if their viewpoints are the same. Commissioner Carruth MOVED to approve the rules of procedure with the following amendments: individual concerns will be addressed separately at the appropriate time, citizens will be allowed to present viewpoints that have not been previously presented, and citizens can express support for a speaker's comments by a show of hands. Chairman White reiterated the motion on the floor and called for a second.