Smithfield
Town Council report from May 7 session |
 |
Council members present: David Barbour, John Dunn, Marlon Lee,
Stephen Rabil, Travis Scott, David Stevens, and Mayor Andy Moore
Absent: Emery Ashley
Smithfield Council OKs
residential
permit in the midst of
doctors' offices
The Smithfield Town Council Tuesday night granted a special-use permit allowing a residence in an office and institutional zoning district despite objections from a next-door neighbor who operates a medical clinic there.
Bonnie Godwin asked for the permit because she has been unable to rent a vacant house at 707 North Street for any kind of commercial enterprise. "I bought it in June 2017 but it has never been rented," she told the council. Meanwhile, she has received numerous inquiries from persons who want to live there, she added.
Dr. Richard Lee of Neuse Gastroenterology objected, citing concern for children who may inhabit the residence that's adjacent to a busy parking lot serving numerous medical offices nearby. (Most houses along that stretch of North Street have been converted to doctors' offices over the years because they're close to Johnston Health's Smithfield hospital.)
Dr. Lee presented a petition signed by other doctors opposed to allowing Ms. Godwin's house to be used as a residence.
Further complicating the issue is a driveway between her house and Dr. Lee's office. Stephen Wensman, the town's planning director, reported to the council that the property line divides the driveway --- 12 feet from the side of her house and just 6 feet from the side of Dr. Lee's office.
Even though most of it is on Ms. Godwin's side of the line, Town Attorney Bob Spence Jr. said it's likely a legally shared driveway. Dr. Lee said ambulances must use it to access a handicapped ramp leading to his office's front door.
The council granted the special-use permit to Ms. Godwin by unanimous vote, with the condition that she erect a fence separating her backyard from the doctors' parking lot without restricting vehicles from using the driveway at issue.
PERMIT APPROVED FOR ANOTHER U-HAUL OFFICE
The council approved by unanimous vote a special-use permit to allow Daniel Evans to operate a U-Haul rental facility at 839 South Bright Leaf Boulevard. Approval came with several conditions recommended by Mr. Wensman: limiting use of the parking lot to five rental trucks and four rental trailers at one time; re-striping the parking lot to clearly mark where the vehicles are to be kept; and installing "curb stops" to prevent any encroachment on neighboring property. The facility is located between a Food Lion parking lot and the real-estate office of Marshall & Associates.
PERMIT APPROVED FOR AUTO-SALES LOT ON W. MARKET
The council gave unanimous approval to a special-use permit allowing Xtra Mile Motors to operate an automobile sales lot on property on the north side of West Market Street about 500 feet east of its intersection with NC 210. A condition attached to the permit sets a limit of 10 vehicles for sale that may be parked there at any one time.
ANOTHER PERMIT FOR A COMMERCIAL DISTRICT RESIDENCE
The council, again by unanimous vote, approved a special-use permit to allow Hilce Sierra to reside in an old house at 405 South Seventh Street that's surrounded by commercial properties, most of which face Bright Leaf Boulevard. Attached to the permit is a condition that the house's owner fence the side and rear of the property, which is located between Woodall and Davis streets.
PAUL
WORLEY THANKED FOR 15 YEARS OF SERVICE
Mayor Andy Moore (left) presented a proclamation to Paul Worley in appreciation of more than 15 years of service on the town's Board of Adjustment. Mr. Worley's service included a term as the board's chairman.
(Photo courtesy of Brian Eaves,
Town of Smithfield)
TWO POLICE OFFICERS PROMOTED
Mayor Moore administered the oath of office to newly promoted Police Lieutenant Jason Beyer and newly promoted Police Sergeant W. Thomas Lee. Both Lieutenant Beyer and Sergeant Lee have served with the Smithfield Police Department for 11 years.
TWO SPECIAL EVENTS IN LATE MAY APPROVED
The council gave its approval for a Community Fun Festival at Smith-Collins Park from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. Saturday, May 25 and for the Ava Gardner Festival in Downtown Smithfield Friday and Saturday, May 31-June 1. Amplified sound was approved for both events.
AUDITING CONTRACT RENEWED AT SAME FEE
The council renewed its contract with Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Company of Whiteville to audit the town's financial records for fiscal year 2018-19 that ends June 30. The firm's basic fee will remain the same, not to exceed $22,750. (This is the same firm that audits the County of Johnston.)
COUNCIL SUPPORTS LOCAL-OPTION SALES-TAX BILL
The council adopted a resolution in support of N.C. House Bill 396 that would give municipalities the option of holding a referendum on an additional 0.25% sales tax that could be used for infrastructure, public facilities, affordable housing, economic development, and police, fire, and rescue services. The current sales-tax rate in Johnston County (including state and local components) is 6.75%.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, APPEARANCE APPOINTMENTS
The council appointed Martin Lazarus to the Smithfield Board of Adjustment as an in-town representative and Mary Foy Ragsdale to the Appearance Commission. Both are first-term appointees.
$212,840 PURCHASE OF "HOOK LIFT TRUCK" APPROVED
The council approved purchase of a 2020 International "hook lift truck with leaf box" for use by the Public Works Department at a price of $212,840. Carolina Industrial Equipment of Charlotte submitted the lowest bid, which came in $13,495 over budget.
COMMITTEE OF CITIZENS TO HEAR GRIEVANCE
The council appointed three citizens to a "one-time Personnel Advisory Committee" to consider a grievance "from an employee who disagrees with a promotional process in the Police Department." Mike Mancuso, Eric Brownlee, and Kim McCullers will hear the employee's grievance and make a recommendation to the town manager, who has the final authority regarding personnel matters.
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