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November 21, 2005 (Regular Meeting) Page 398 ATTEST: /s/ Frankie F. Bonds Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board (D) INFORMAL PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Carpenter opened the meeting for Informal Public Comments at 6:47 p.m. She stated each speaker would be limited to three minutes. Alex Porter, 193 S. Union Street, Concord, stated he was representing "Citizens for a Better Concord," a group that was formed on November 9, 2005. He reported a petition with approximately 650 signatures from residents of Concord and Cabarrus County would be submitted to the County Manager's office on November 22 in opposition to the proposed large cell towers off Washington Lane and Corban Avenue. Mr. Porter read the petition as follows: To the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners We the undersigned citizens of Cabarrus County are 18 years of age or older. We acknowledge the need for additional jail cells near the Courthouse and are mindful of the need for future expansion of the Courthouse and the Sheriff's office. Accordingly, we strongly agree that the location and development of the proposed Jail Annex, the Law Enforcement Center/Administrative Building and related parking on Corban Avenue. We have petitioned the County to bid and build these two projects, particularly the Annex, as soon as possible. However, we find the proposed six-story Housing Unit and the proposed future Housing Building to be located within the primarily residential block formed by Corban Avenue, Union Street, Washington Lane, Louise Drive and Virginia Street to be unacceptable in terms of spoiled views, diminished property salability, devalued property, and ruination of the nature and dignity of surrounding neighborhoods and the City of Concord. We petition the County to pursue any further development of these buildings on a remote site away from any established primarily residential area. Wesley Seamon, 281 Eastover Drive SE, Concord, stated he was amused and saddened by the "Jail Trail" signs that have been posted. He expressed appreciation for the process used in developing the Jail project and referenced numerous public meetings held during the past four years in regards to the proj ect. Mr. Seamon said the Jail was for the safety of the 150,000 citizens of Cabarrus County and that the public decision should be made for the best interest of all citizens. Carl Tyson, 2313 Kannapolis Highway, Concord, expressed appreciation for a recent grant to the Humane Society, but stated he had a number of concerns about Board actions related to the Jail project. He said the size of the planned Jail was omitted from information presented to the public and that some Board members had not been truthful with the citizens. Mr. Tyson objected to a six-story housing unit in the downtown area and asked Board members to tell the truth and to be open. Also, he asked that meetings be held in the Commissioners' Meeting room at a time when a majority of the public can attend and that any meetings held in the Multipurpose Room be recorded and televised on Channel 22. Dr. Martha Sommer, 195 N. Union Street, Concord, said putting a large Jail in the downtown was a bad decision because it would be in the middle of residential neighborhoods. She said she agreed with Alex Porter's earlier statements. Also, Dr. Sommer reported she had talked to a lot of people about the Jail and most of them knew nothing about it. However, she said they were against the Jail project when it was explained to them. Robert D. Raiford, 82 Washington Lane, Concord, spoke against the Jail project in downtown Concord. He referenced the project timeline and questioned how such organizations as Historic Cabarrus, the merchants of downtown Concord and the Economic Development corporation could have ever endorsed such a project. Mr. Raiford said the County Commissioners cannot be faulted for trying to solve the problems of an overcrowded jail, but must be held accountable for their short sightedness in this matter. In conclusion, he stated may the Board and other supporters of the project forever hang their heads in shame as they pass the "monster" they allow to be created. Martin Richter, 102 Hillcrest Avenue, Concord, spoke against the proposed Jail project. He said it was hard to picture the largest building in