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August 15, 2005 - Regular Meeting Page 291 John Day, County Manager, reported the Tax Assessor spoke to Pastor Steele and sent an email to Board members regarding this issue. He said property taxes are strictly regulated by the State and the General Statutes requires appropriate forms to be completed. Further, Mr. Day reported the Tax Assessor had advised that he could not make an adjustment and the Board could not do so either due to State law. There was brief discussion regarding statutory requirements for tax exemptions for church property. Reverend Stan Welch of Woodfield Drive in Kannapolis addressed the Board concerning the payment of $11,455.00 by Blackwelder Baptist Church for a permit/impact fee. He said the church is adding a new preschool building to its facilities on the Rowan side of Kannapolis and stated the fee was an undue burden. He asked the Board to reconsider the fee and suggested that the County consider a graduated fee scale for local churches and nonprofits. Responding to questions by the Board, Mr. Day reported the fee was probably a sewer capacity fee charged by the Water and Sewer Authority (WSACC) and collected by the County. Staff will check to see what type of fee was paid by the church. If it is determined to be a fee for WSACC, Commissioner Juba suggested that Reverend Welch address this issue with the WSACC Board of Directors. John Clark, Chairman of the Cabarrus County Democratic Party, commented on recent criticism of the Cabarrus Economic Development Corporation (EDC). He encouraged Board Members to cooperate with the EDC and to continue its funding. Paul Penney of Hunters Trace in Concord stated the lack of representation on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the Odell community. He suggested the appointment of Marlynn Burns and Jane Shoemaker to that Commission. Also, Mr. Penney asked the Board to protect the rights of school children for a quality education and not to enter into a settlement for pending litigation concerning the Wellington Chase Subdivision. He reported the Odell community filed its incorporation application and asked the Board for its official support. Janet Magaldi, President of piedmont Preservation Foundation (PPF) , presented information on historic properties in Concord and PPF's ongoing restoration projects. She asked the County to join a community collaboration to save the historic Cline and Propst homes located on the site of the future Law Enforcement Center by completing the purchase of those houses and donating them to PPF. Harold Smith of Edinburg Drive in Kannapolis stated he was troubled by the contract renewal for Fletcher Hartsell, Jr., and questioned the Board's intent to seek reimbursement for the $130,000.00 settlement. He complained of the lack of oversight of the County Manager and the Board's rubbers tamping of proposed budget and 19 percent tax increase. Finally, he complained of high water and sewer rates and opposed the annual contribution to the Economic Development corporation. Shirley Edwards of Paxton Place in Davidson stated she is a new resident of the Odell community and of North Carolina. She urged the Board to give fair representation to the Odell community on the Planning and Zoning Commission Tom Doran of Kingsview Drive commented on an article in the Davidson newspaper that attributed school overcrowding to cluster developments. He asked the Board to consider giving the Odell community representation on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Also, Mr. Doran commented on an initiative of the Home Builder's Association to overturn the adequacy fees. Dean Goodman of Cub Run Drive in Concord commented on the reorganization of the Planning and Zoning commission and requested that someone from the Odell community be appointed to that Commission. He asked the Board to return Marlynn Burns to the Board or to appoint Jane Shoemaker. Mr. Goodman also expressed appreciation for the quick response by County staff in providing a large amount of data that had been required for the Odell incorporation efforts. Jane Shoemaker of Chester Court commented on newspaper reports of the possible settlement of pending litigation about the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance. She stated returns on land speculations are not guaranteed and are no different from other types of investments. She said in her opinion the Board should not cower to the threat of litigation and it would be irresponsible to overcrowd the schools and clog the roads to protect a developer's investment. Finally, Ms. Shoemaker asked that Marlynn Burns, resident of the Odell Community, be returned to the Planning and Zoning Commission.