Sunday's Internet Edition, May 11, 2008.
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“I would ask as your legal council that this matter be tabled until the next meeting,” Mitchell said. “I don’t have the comfort level [with proceeding with this at this time].”
City Council members asked Public Services Director Morgan Huffman questions pertaining to stormwater runoff, particularly who would be responsible for the costs, either a homeowner’s association or the developer. That initiated the developer’s legal counsel, Misty Whitman, an attorney at Citrin & Whitman, to say that there were no plans in the works for a homeowner’s association.
Mitchell said he wanted to have a “meeting of the minds” with Huffman before City Council makes a decision on approving the residential district.
Billy Fritz, owner of Fritz Construction, said there were no plans for a homeowner’s association at the City’s planning board meeting on March 31. The planning board voted 4-3 to not allow the 65-acre subdivision to have a residential district permit.
The proposed subdivision will bring more than 100 homes to the Chair City if approved. Based off of a 10-year projection, Whitman said the development, consisting of all stick built homes, would bring more than a $1 million of revenue to the City of Thomasville.
Unlike the planning board meeting which had no citizens speaking in opposition of the permit, more than a handful of citizens spoke in opposition to the subdivision. The planning board’s argument was the increase of traffic and a curve on Ferndale Drive that would make it dangerous when pulling out of the subdivision.
“I’m against the subdivision because of the increase in traffic,” resident Jerry Thomas said. “I will hear all the highway noise.”
City Council members asked if it would be feasible for the developer to split the tab on a stoplight. In return, Whitman said it would cost more than a $100,000 for the stoplight and it was too costly for the developer to make such an investment.
Following those speaking in opposition to the subdivision, Councilwoman Pat Harris Shelton asked Chief of Police Ronald S. Bratton to gather the amount of wrecks that have occurred in the last five years on Ferndale Drive.
In other business:
• City Council voted unanimously not to remove voluntary water restrictions.
• By unanimous vote, City Council decided to table the amendment to the ordinance stopping those from playing pool at midnight and on Sunday. The proposed amendment would allow citizens to play pool until 2 a.m. and after noon on Sunday.
• City Council tabled the decision of awarding a contract to Wetherill Engineering for a study of Valley Road Bridge. With a town hall meeting to be held on Thursday at the Hasty Community Center, City Council members are hoping to get feedback from citizens. The study will cost a little more than $74,000.
• City Council dedicated a building at the Thomasville City Cemetery in the memory of Alberta Strickland and Eddie Pryor.
• Councilman Neal Grimes said Thomasville has been selected by the N.C. DOT to receive some funding for railroad improvements. This comes after a recent visit from Paul Worley of the N.C. DOT Rail Division.
• City Manager Kelly Craver announced Thomasville will host a job fair on May 29 at Central Recreation. So far 19 employers are scheduled to attend, but Craver said more are welcome.
• Council honored the East Davidson Girl’s basketball team for winning the 2A state championship team
• Council proclaimed May as National Preservation month, as well as Motorcycle Safety Awareness month.
Staff Writer Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 231, or ignasiak@tvilletimes.com.