BC 2008 09 08 Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 8, 2008 (Work Session) Page 949 A lengthy discussion ensued with the following topics addressed: feedback from citizens that live in the area; this site only includes nonretail sites; the availability of utilities to this site; etc. John Day, County Manager, reported thatthe Board of Commissioners historically opposed development on this site, as well as the legislative effort to allow annexation by Kannapolis. He also reported the following: there has been planning efforts along N.C. Highway 3, which is adjacent to the Concrescere site; staff has recommended that the highway remain a 2-lane road in that area; and the site is located in a critical area of reservoir and is zoned entirely. as Agriculture/Open Space. He suggested it may be helpful for the Board to receive the full report on the N.C. Highway 3 Corridor from staff at the October Work Session before any action on this item is taken. In light of this new information, Commissioner Mynatt withdrew her second to the previous motion. Commissioner Carruth revised his MOTION to place the request for an endorsement of a certified site on the October 6, 2006 Agenda Work Session. A general discussion ensued. The following issues were addressed: the effect a delay of an endorsement will have on the property; the construction status of the site; the effect a zoning change will have on the site's certification; correlation between the corridor study, the certification and the development; etc. Commissioner Carruth restated his MOTION to place the request for an endorsement of a certified site on the October 20, 2008 Agenda as a New Business item. Vice Chairman Juba seconded the motion. The MOTION unanimously carried. Economic Development Pro ram Chairman White reviewed a draft of the Economic Development Grant Program guidelines, which was discussed at the Board's "Parking Lot" meeting on August 15, 2008. John Day, County Manager, reported the following: the Board is still operating under a program adopted several years ago; the draft program is more permissive and includes changes to allow the consideration of more items. He suggested the Board review the draft and make suggestions with regards to additional flexibility or restrictions. Chairman White reviewed aspects of the program guidelines, including the provision which states a grant approved by the Board may be an amount equaling up to B5 percent of the. real and personal property tax actually paid on assets eligible for the program. He also suggested that the following provision of the program be possibly added to any future grant agreements: "the Grant will only be-awarded to bring about the relocation or expansion of a business that would not have occurred except for the award of the Grant, or to encourage the development or help ensure the success of certain targeted businesses and/or geographic areas". Richard Koch, County Attorney, stated that the language included in the draft guidelines is specifically identified in N.C.G.S. 158-7.1. He also reported the agreement form that accompanies this grant program incorporates the entire program by reference into the grant agreement. A brief discussion followed, with the following topics being addressed: enforceability of the agreement; accountability of the grant program participants; the need for further explanation of the language contained in the contract; etc. Chairman White recommended that certain terms of the program be explained further before. it is finalized. Mr. Koch stated that an example of the program process has been prepared and will be provided to the Board electronically for review. Commissioner Mynatt suggested further examination of the incentive program is needed as it relates to smaller businesses. A brief discussion followed. UPON MOTION of Vice Chairman Juba, seconded by Commissioner Carruth and unanimously carried, the Board voted to place the Economic Development Grant Program on the October 6, 2008 Work Session Agenda.