Information about the Pittsboro Planning Board process

Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:19:07 +0000
From: Brian Taylor
Subject: Response – Post Regarding Planning Board

In response to Duck Decoy.  I am an ETJ member of the Pittsboro Planning Board.   I would remind our fair feathered friend that we, as board members, are appointed and not elected and as a board we make recommendations to the Town Board.

The Town Board is actually the body that approves projects based upon the input of the Town Manager, Town Planner, Town Engineer, The Town Attorney, Town Boards, Community Input, etc.

As to training/certifications/qualifications you are free to ask any of the board members for their credentials and please know that we do have training sessions, receive consultations from various experts, attend workshops and training, and that many of us serve on other boards as well.

Of course, as Pittsboro is developing a UDO (Unified Development Ordinance) we are obligated to deal with current ordinances, guidelines, rules, and law regarding development, zoning, use, etc.   There are times that we struggle with certain aspects of projects and voice those concerns to the Town Planner and, as they are usually in attendance, the Town Board as well as the Mayor is made aware of these concerns.

As to the gas station that you have referenced, we actually tabled that discussion and asked for more input of the very nature that you refer to.

I would invite you to apply for the board as we do have vacancies and at the least to attend our meetings in order to participate in and to be accurately aware of the process that we engage in.

Thanks,

Brian Taylor – ETJ Planning Board Member, County Planning Board Liason, Affordable Housing Task Force, UDO Development Technical Committee Member, and absolutely Pro Pittsboro Resident

Original Post:
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2018 09:41:22 -0400
From: Duck Decoy <<mailto:>>
Subject: Pittsboro planning board

Does the town’s planning board go through training on good rural and urban planning? Do the members have to have certain qualifications to be on the board? Some of the projects they are approving don’t seem very sound for the future of Pittsboro and surrounding area. This gas station and car wash would be in competition with long existing business of Clapps and would be an eyesore and nuisance for nearby businesses and homes. The other developments they have approved without assessments for their impact on the surrounding land and residents don’t seem to make good common sense. Are there conflicts of interest? Do these members own land or businesses that profit from over development schemes?