City Council

Town of Montreat Board of Commissioners Town Council Public Forum April 6, 2017 Walkup Building Board members present: Mayor Tim Helms Mayor Pro Tem Kitty Fouche Commissioner Bill Gilliland Commissioner Kent Otto Commissioner Mary Standaert Commissioner Ann Vinson (arrived at 6:42 p.m.) Board members absent: None Town staff present: Alex Carmichael, Town Administrator Angie Murphy, Town Clerk Call to Order Approximately 30 people were in attendance. Mayor Helms called the meeting to order at 6:29 p.m. and led the group in a moment of silence. Agenda Approval Commissioner Gilliland moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Commissioner Standaert seconded and the agenda was approved 4/0. Public Forum Mr. John Jordan of 346 Texas Road stated that the steep slope ordinance went into effect on June 11, 2009 and he received his building permit for a driveway on June 4, 2009 so he thought he met all qualifications outlined in the ordinance. Later it was determined that the ordinance starts on the day the building inspector inspects your permit not on the day you receive your permit. The driveway in question is on Lot #477 on Texas Spur which has a slope of 40% and is covered by the steep slope ordinance. Mr. Jordan stated that Buncombe County started the steep slope ordinance and it is an acre or above that qualifies you to follow the steep slope ordinance and you must recertify with the State every 3 years. In Montreat you have to certify every year that your system is working properly. Also in Montreat your deed must indicate that you are under the steep slope ordinance which is less than acre. Mr. Ron Sneed, the attorney of Mr. John Jordan, advised Mr. Jordan that he was confusing the steep slow ordinance with the stormwater management system. When Mr. Johnson brought his annual report to the Building Inspector for review he was told that he needed a licensed engineer to inspect the system annually and write a report (the Stormwater BMP Annual Maintenance Report). Mr. Johnson called Buncombe County and got a list of Environmental Engineers and he chose one from Black Mountain. This report cost Mr. Jordan $1,483. Mr. Jordan stated that he had to do this report every year forever. Mr. Jordan Book 16; Page  Montreat Board of Commissioners Public Forum Minutes April 6, 2017 gave a visual demonstration of how a stormwater maintenance system works. Mr. Jordan would rather give his money to Montreat College and the MRA than to an engineer each year. Commissioner Gilliland asked if Mr. Jordan had to get an inspection because he had the stormwater maintenance system or because he built the driveway on a steep slope. Mr. Ron Sneed stated that were 8 or 9 recognized stormwater maintenance systems and the idea of any of these devices is to catch the first inch of fallen rain and treat it before it goes off down the hill into the streams. Because of the limitations of his property he had to install the specific type of stormwater maintenance system. Mr. Sneed stated that the inspection costs might vary depending on the type of stormwater maintenance system chosen. Mayor Pro Tem Fouche stated that she was trying to sort out what Montreat required versus what the State and Federal requirements were. She wanted to know exactly what Montreat had control over. Mr. Sneed advised that Towns had to adopt a stormwater management system to comply with federal regulations. What is different about Montreat, but is not uncommon, is how much ground you disturb decides if you need to put in a stormwater management system and in Montreat that amount is less than an acre of disturbance whereas Buncombe County is an acre or more. Commissioner Standaert pointed out there were very few lots in Montreat over an acre. Mayor Helms advised Mr. Jordan that the Board could not answer his questions this evening that Staff needed time to look into the situation. Mr. Carmichael stated that Staff would be happy to review the Stormwater Ordinance and do a comparison of neighboring municipalities and report back on the limitations brought about by State and Federal requirements. Mr. Jordan also felt that Texas Spur Road needed to be looked at with regards to road quality. Mr. Ted Carey of 116 John Knox Road wanted an update on the purchase of the lot for the proposed Town Hall facility. Mr. Carey also wanted to know if any architects had been contacted and the status of the Texas Road Bridge. Mayor Helms stated that the Board was in negotiations with MRA with regards to the Creek Side property. Negotiations involve a 30 day period with two more renewable 30 day periods to vet the lot: soil testing, engineering reports, etc before a decision has to be made. Mayor Helms stated that the letter had been sent to the federal government about converting the Texas Road Bridge to a pedestrian-only bridge and we are waiting on a reply. As for contacting architects, Mayor Helms stated that was premature at this point. Adjournment There being no further discussion, Commissioner Vinson moved to adjourn the Public Forum Meeting. Commissioner Gilliland seconded and the motion carried 5/0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m. __________________________________ ______________________________________ Tim Helms, Mayor Angie Murphy, Town Clerk Book 16; Page Montreat Board of Commissioners Public Forum Minutes April 6, 2017 Book 16; Page