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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-14-22 Planning Commission Minutes MINUTES Town of Pulaski Planning Commission November 14, 2022 Commissioners Present: Kevin Meyer, Chairman; AJ Schrantz; David Hall; Terry Hale Commissioners Absent: Town Staff: Caroline Smith, Planner/Zoning Administrator; Darlene Burcham, Town Manager; Spencer Rygas, Town Attorney 1. Call to Order Chairman Meyer called the Planning Commission to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call of Commission A quorum was determined with four commissioners present. 3. Review and Approval of Minutes Mr. Meyer asked if there were any comments on the October meeting minutes. Mr. Hall motioned to approve the meeting minutes and Mr. Schrantz seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. 4. Staff Report a. 2022-10SE - A request from Taking it To The Streets for a Special Exception for property located at 235 N Jefferson Ave Ms. Smith stated that The Town has received a request from Taking it to the Streets for a special exception for mixed use at 235 N Jefferson Avenue and that the Town was not given a drawing or layout of the area. Page 2 of 5 / November 14, 2022 Mr. Barbettini explained that the ministry and warming station needed the mixed- use space for a full-time live in attendant. He stated that without this attendant then the warming station would not be able to operate. Mr. Meyer stated that he would like to condition the special exception to only have one full-time attendant and only apply while Taking it to the Streets occupies the building. Mr. Barbettini said that the most men he had was 8. Mr. Schrantz asked if there had been any comment on this or if local businesses were aware of it. Ms. Smith responded that she did not receive any comment and legal advertisements as well as letters were mailed. Mr. Meyer opened up the floor for a public hearing. Ms. Terry commented that she appreciated the ministry and that the people are their neighbors that they help. With no further questions, Mr. Meyer closed the public hearing and asked for a motion. Mr. Hale motioned to recommend approval to Town Council the exception request with the following conditions: 1) Will only be in effect while Taking it to the Streets occupies the building 2) Will only be permitted while the warming station is operating 3) Will only allow one fulltime occupant and Mr. Schrantz seconded the motion. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: Chairman Meyer – Aye Mr. Hale – Aye Mr. Hall – Aye Mr. Schrantz - Aye b. 2022-05SE - A request from Mainspring Recovery Center, LLC for a Special Exception for property located at 2460 Lee Highway Ms. Smith stated that the Town has received a special exception request from MSRC II LLC. She explained that the applicant has postponed twice since last being heard by the Planning Commission and that the applicant has provided additional information in the form of a Q&A in the agenda packet. Mr. Meyer opened up the floor for a public hearing. Page 3 of 5 / November 14, 2022 Mr. Barbour, MSRC II lawyer, introduced MSRC staff and stated that the first facility will open in January and has completed all of the licensee’s processes. He continued that he has worked for numerous clients that have suffered from substance use and that they can all get better if they receive the right treatment. He mentioned other various treatment centers in the area. Mr. Barbour explained that the center is critically needed in the area of Pulaski. He stated that they are well organized and financed. He said that he is aware of the proposed objectives and comments. He stated that the other treatment centers in the area are a different level than what MSRC is proposing. He continued on that the residents would not go wondering in the community, if they decide to leave they would go home. He stated that citizens from Pulaski have been sent all over the state and North Carolina to other treatment facilities. He explained that the employees will be certified and trained within their specialties. Mr. Meyer inquired about staffing issues and where the employees would be coming from. Mr. Barbour responded that it would depend on MSRC recruiting and that there is a certain number of staff that is required to run a facility like theirs. Mr. Schrantz expressed his disapproval for a letter that was sent from Lewis Gale. Mr. Barbour agreed and they are looking into the letter on a separate matter. Mr. Hall asked what the success rate was for people one year out. A representative from MSRC said that the industry average is less than 50% but the facilities he has managed are closer to 70%. Mr. Meyer asked how many other facilities are in the works and if education programs are becoming larger? The representative answered that there are more educational specialties becoming available. Mr. Meyer asked what management would be in Pulaski five days a week. The representative state that there would be a full time or part time nurse practitioner on site. Mr. Hall asked how this treatment center would be compared to Ashland treatment center. Page 4 of 5 / November 14, 2022 Ms. Dehorty stated that this treatment center will mirror theirs because of the standards presented at Ashland. Mr. Schrantz asked how the security staff would be hired. Ms. Dehorty stated that it has not been decided yet. Mr. Meyer stated that he would now begin calling on those who turned in a speaker’s slip. Ms. Cope stated that there is already lots of foot traffic from the hospital and the transit. She continued that there was a large influx of people from the Galax Life Center. Ms. Friend stated that she supports the center and grew up in the area and is a nurse and now lives in Dublin. She stated that she is a recovered addict and has been in recovery for ten years now. She continued that the people need the resources that this center could provide. Mr. McAfee stated that nothing has changed his or his neighbors mind. He elaborated that they do not oppose the treatment center but they oppose that the treatment center would be in a residential area. Ms. Macado explained that she’s seen both sides of the story and addiction. She stated that her concerns are about people wandering around and that she doesn’t like that MSRC does not have any track record. Ms. McAfee stated that she is worried about staffing issues in the community and that she does not like the location being close to the school. Mr. Wallace said that he was a substance use counselor. He stated that it is a disease and he believes that centers can help but does not like the location. Mr. Hagan stated that he found the HCA letter rampant. He continued to say that the facility would not be forced to take certain people. He explained that he thinks the zoning is an issue with the Town. Mr. Meyer asked what would happen if someone just wanted to walk away. A representative from MSRC stated that it would be unethical to allow someone to walk out the door. He explained that they work with them to come up with a solution so they don’t just walk away. Mr. Meyer asked what the steps are if someone decided to walk away. Page 5 of 5 / November 14, 2022 The representative explained that the center plans to have several types of monitoring and they would conduct a thorough search and contact the person’s emergency contact. With no further questions, Mr. Meyer closed the public hearing and asked for a motion or further discussion. Mr. Schrantz motioned to recommend approval to Town Council the special exception. The motioned failed due to lack of a second. Mr. Schrantz asked if there was any more discussion or stipulations they should add. Mr. Hale motioned to recommend denial to Town Council of the special exception request and Mr. Hall seconded the motion. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: Chairman Meyer – Aye Mr. Hale – Aye Mr. Hall – Aye Mr. Schrantz - Nay Mr. Meyer explained that hospitals used to be in residential areas which is why that area is zoned residential. 5. Other Business 6. Adjournment With there being no further business to discuss, Mr. Meyer adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. ATTEST: Kevin Meyer, Chair __________________ Caroline Smith, Planner/Zoning Administrator/Secretary