Smithfield
Town Council
    report from April 6 session

Council members present: Mayor Andy Moore, David Barbour, John Dunn, Marlon Lee, Steve Rabil, Travis Scott, David Stevens, and Roger Wood


FINAL PHASES OF EAST RIVER OK'd FOR 65 TOWNHOUSES

The council approved Phases 6 & 7 of the East River Subdivision --- final components of the residential development along Buffalo Road just north of M. Durwood Stephenson Parkway. Phase 6 calls for 42 townhouses with 97 "parking stalls"; Phase 7, another 23 townhouses with 48 parking spaces. In response to questions from the council, developer David DeYoung of RiverWild (based in Clayton) said the company hasn't yet decided whether to market the units for sale or rent. Councilman Scott expressed concern about rental units there and asked if the town could restrict the project to homeowners. "I don't think you can restrict use of the property like that," responded Town Attorney Bob Spence.
WHITE SWAN'S PLAN FOR MORE CABINS APPROVED

The council approved a landscape architect's plan for adding 14 cabins to the four now standing near the White Swan restaurant on US 301 South (Bright Leaf Boulevard). In doing so, the council approved its first case of conditional zoning that restricts use of rezoned property to a specific project (the council recently added conditional zoning to its land-use code as an option less cumbersome than what's required for a special-use permit). Landscape architect Scott Stewart told the council he designed the plan in consultation with property owners David and Linwood Parker as well as the town's planning director, Stephen Wensman, to create "a Norman Rockwell type of experience" for lodgers. He emphasized protection of old trees on the site as a key element of his plan. The project will be built in two phases with one-way driveways, part-pavement and part-gravel, and eventually sidewalks or greenway-type trails along US 301 in front and Galilee Road to the rear.


DRIVE-THRU COFFEE HOUSE AT PINE NEEDLE SQUARE

The council granted a special-use permit for erection of a Scotter's Coffee Drive-Thru on a portion of the Pine Needle Square Shopping Center's parking lot near the intersection of Bright Leaf Boulevard and Hospital Road. Mark McDonald, owner of the shopping center, said the business was secured in response to feedback from nearby Johnston Health employees. Planning Director Wensman noted the structure would displace 27 of the center's 472 parking spaces --- a number that far exceeds the town's code requiring a minimum of 178 spaces there.


PARKING IMPROVEMENTS AT SMITH-COLLINS PARK

The council approved a $62,536 contract with James Paul Edwards Inc. to add paved parking with curb and gutter at two places adjacent to Smith-Collins Park --- in front of the Sarah Yard Community Center and beside the new Splash Pad scheduled to open by the end of May. Parks and Recreation Director Gary Johnson recommended the extra expense for curb and gutter because motorists have been driving around recently installed speed bumps on Lee Street at the Sarah Yard Center --- a situation, he noted, "causing a continued hazard and destroying the lawn, creating a muddy, messy area."


PICNIC SHELTERS WILL BE UPGRADED AT TWO PARKS

The council approved a $22,750 contract with low-bidder Southern Tide Homes to make repairs to the Rotary Shelter at Community Park, including replacement of the shingled roof with ribbed metal. Also approved is a $9,500 contract with JLP Carpentry for renovations to the shelter at the Talton Park soccer field beside North Street. That project also includes replacing a shingled roof with a ribbed metal roof as well as repairs to rafters.


 MORE "WAYFINDING" SIGNS, BUT NOT ALL, APPROVED

The council approved part of Phase 3 of a project started a couple of years ago to erect "wayfinding" directional signs along key roads and streets throughout town. Previous phases provided "Monumental Gateway" and "Trailblazer" signs along major thoroughfares as well as parking signs Downtown. Elements of Phase 3 as recommended by the Downtown Development Corporation and Johnston County Visitors Bureau include more signage at entrances to town and seven large "Parking Kiosk" signs Downtown. Mayor Moore questioned the size of the latter, which would include maps showing locations of key sites. Other council members shared his concern about size as well as cost and voted unanimously to approve the proposed contract with ACSM Inc. of Charlotte minus the kiosk signage. That reduced the price from $81,340 to $41,265 --- an expenditure to be covered by proceeds from a 2% occupancy tax collected from patrons of Smithfield's overnight lodging establishments. The council asked Downtown Development and Visitors Bureau leaders to consider alternatives to the signage omitted from the contract.


"THIRD STREATERY" RETURNING MAY 7 THROUGH JULY

The council approved permits for three special events, including a return of Downtown Development's "Third StrEATery" outdoor dining event to be held every other Friday starting May 7 and continuing through July 30. That event requires the 100 block of South Third Street to be closed to vehicles from 6 to 9 p.m. so patrons of nearby restaurants may enjoy their meals along with musical entertainment there. Also granted special-event permits:
• A neighborhood party planned by David Auge on South Smithfield's Maplewood Drive from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 1.
• An "outreach church service" with amplified sound, to be conducted by Alice Wells from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 16.


TALLER INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS TO BE ALLOWED

The council amended the town's Unified Development Ordinance to allow pharmaceutical manufacturing as a permitted use in Light Industrial zoning districts and to raise from 40 to 80 feet the maximum height of buildings within those districts. Those proposed changes came from the town's planning staff based on recommendations from Chris Johnson, economic development officer for the County of Johnston.


ANOTHER NEW POLICE OFFICER JOINS THE FORCE

Jonathan Joyner took the oath of office as a new member of the Police Department's Patrol Division. He has no prior law-enforcement experience. A report included with the council's agenda for Tuesday's meeting shows the department currently has three police-officer vacancies.


DOWNTOWN, APPEARANCE APPOINTMENTS APPROVED

The council appointed Julia Narron of Bridge Street to the Board of Directors of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation and Tim Depp of Baker Street to a first term on the town's Appearance Commission.


"ELECTRICAL LINEMAN APPRECIATION DAY" PROCLAIMED

The council adopted a resolution proclaiming April 18 (a Sunday) as "Electric Lineman Appreciation Day" and accepted two awards presented to the town by the American Public Power Association:
• 2020 Safety Award of Excellence --- "the only North Carolina town in its category" to win the recognition, said Ted Credle, the town's director of public utilities.
• 2021 Reliable Public Power Provider Award --- an upgrade to "Diamond" status from "Platinum" three years ago, Mr. Credle noted.


TOWN HALL OFFICES SCHEDULED TO RE-OPEN IN MAY

Town Manager Mike Scott announced that Town Hall will re-open to the public during normal business hours starting Monday, May 3 "unless something drastic changes" regarding the coronavirus pandemic that prompted a shutdown of the offices to visitors a year ago. Mr. Scott said opening time each morning will be delayed from 8 o'clock to 8:30 to give staff time for a thorough cleaning of "high touch" areas before the public arrives.
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