TONIGHT’S TOWN HALL MEETING RESULTS

SOUTHWEST CUMBERLAND COUNTY LAND USE PLAN ADOPTED
After much previous discussion, the Council adopted the SWCCLUP officially. This plan will determine zoning and other regulations for years to come.

NCDOT ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR ROCKFISH RD./CAMDEN RD. INTERSECTION
Council members agreed to a NCDOT proposal for improvements at the intersection of Rockfish Rd. and Camden Rd., including adding turn lanes and adjusting some lanes. As this is a project that will be all the DOT’s responsibility, the Council just had to agree to let it happen, and they did. DOT should make funds available around October 2014, construction should start in November, and the project should be completed by the end of spring 2015.

PLANK ROAD TABLED FOR FUTURE ACTION
Public sentiment seems to be to block it off to cars. Various proposers want it to be a walking path, nature trail, future trail/connector, and/or saved for posterity. Citizens disagree on whether or not the property should remain the Town’s possession or should be given to nearby property owners. Action was tabled so that topic could be discussed, with decision to be made within 60 days. Public notice, though not required, will be given before the issue returns to the agenda for a vote.

SIDEWALKS APPROVED FOR ROCKFISH ROAD
A couple of weeks ago, the Council applied for a grant from the Fayetteville Area Municipal Planning Organization to build sidewalks along Rockfish Road from Johnson St. to Golfview Rd. The grant was approved by FAMPO. The Town will pay 20% of the estimated $181,000 cost.

SEVERAL NEW SUBDIVISIONS ARE UNDERWAY
A total of 678 housing units are being planned in and near town over the next couple of years. Those homes are expected to add about 2,000 more people to the Hope Mills area.

FACILITIES ASSESSMENTS ARE UNDERWAY
Particular needs are being assessed in Police, Fire, and Parks & Recreation Departments.
Consultants are still assessing the Episcopal church, and its usefulness as a history museum. An open session meeting between council and staff and architectural and environmental consultants regarding the Episcopal church property will be held on April 3 at 6pm.

MISCELLANEOUS
The TOWN WEBSITE is still under reconstruction, and should be finished before the end of spring. MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES are being rewritten and recompiled. All departments are undergoing training and revisions in SOFTWARE AND FORMS and other administrative, clerical, and technical areas. Council members agreed to leave STAFF COMMENTS and OFFICIAL COMMENTS at the end of meetings in place, so that members and staff can share final thoughts, but they reiterated that each has an option to pass and doesn’t need to feel coerced to add something just because someone else does. Council agreed to readopt the previous board’s ETHICS POLICY by signing a new copy with new members on it. All members closed the public part of the meeting by unanimously “PASSING” at their last opportunity for public comments.