Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Good morning. All Lexington County committees are being broadcast live on Spectrum channel thirteen o two and Lexington County's website meeting portal. As such, this commission meeting filmed today will be available for viewing anytime on demand at our county website. May we have an invocation? Sure.

Let us pray. Heavenly father, we thank you for this day. We thank you for your grace, which is given to us new each day. Pray that you will be with us as we discuss the items before us and help us to glorify you in all that we do each day. We ask that you be with chairman, Craig Otto and his wife and give them peace and comfort and healing. Pray that you'll be with all those who service in uniform here and abroad and be with those who are in harm's way across the world. All these things we ask in Jesus' name. Amen. Please

stand for the pledge of allegiance. I believe we have a special guest with us. Would you like to say a few words?

And if you'd like, I'm gonna assume you're talking about special guest being myself. Good morning. I'm Todd Cullum. I'm a member of the Lexington County Council, but maybe you're actually talking about Wally. Wally is a is a he's maybe a guest now, but before but he is special.

He's special to me and has been for a long time. But before I get underway about this commendation recognition of of Wally, I just wanna tell each of you thank you for serving. Certain that you were asked by whatever member of of council of which you are representing that district and I just want to first tell each of you thank you for serving because I know that the times in which you are giving your service are not easy times. Maybe not like when Wally first started when it was kind of a breeze and that staff typically drive the conversations quite a good bit, but again, I appreciate each of what you folks are doing. I've got this certificate of appreciation here and and Wally, I'm not going to read the whole thing.

It says the Lexington County Planning Commission is comprised of nine volunteer citizens appointed by the Lexington County Council of which I've just covered and responsible for the preparation implementation and periodic update, the county's growth was thus long range comprehensive land use plan and based on that plan making recommendations to the council on planning issues, development ordinances and for the administration of critical exceptions and variances to landscape, open space and subdivision ordinances. Sounds like Robbie Derritt wrote that and it's very accurate. And again, what I tell you that what you're doing today is is is not an easy job and a lot of thought I think goes into what you do in the form of a recommendation. So, with that being said, that takes me back and I was trying to think about Volley started and I don't know the exact date, Volley, 2017.

Something like that.

'17, I think maybe. And I remember how this all unfolded because the way it started is is really the way it's ended. I asked Wally about being a member of the planning commission and in Wally Price fashion, he said, well, me think about it and I'll get back with you. What in the immediate? Oh, absolutely.

Sure. I'm ready to go. And I knew Wally had known the the political process of such a politics. He'd been involved in that even the collegiate at level while he was over at USC and knew a number of office holders. Having been an office holder himself, followed his father who was also an office holder.

So I thought what a great fit. A guy who knows the political process, lifelong resident of this county, hopefully contribute to the planning of of our county, the development of our county. But again, it's absolute Wally to the tee. I'll get back with you. So he did.

He got back with me and and agreed to serve and I was really happy that he that he did and I stand here today before you telling you I'm really happy that he did. Also, I thought back too and he and I have talked about this before. I probably can count on one hand and not count my pinky and my thumb how many conversations he and I have had over the years about the planning commission. So in almost nine years, we probably had maybe three conversations of such. And when I asked him to serve, I said I'm not gonna call you.

I'm not gonna ask you to vote the way I would vote. I just want you to use your best judgment and I've always appreciated his judgment and I've trusted his judgment over the years. He's been a really good representation of not only Council District 9, but I believe Lexington County itself. One of the better traits that he has, I think, is like a fellow in Bakesburg told me many years ago, Chris, I was looking at a road with him one day trying to figure out why the water was going on the other side of the road because the other side of the road was higher than where it should have been going. Because we had some people that wanted to force it to go that way.

He just shook his head and looked at me and said, you know, common sense just isn't common anymore, is it? And I said, you know what? You're right. That's one of the greatest things I think that Wally Price brings to the table. Common sense.

We may be losing a little bit of that common sense here on our planning commission, but the rec commission is gonna gain it. But I'll do all I can to give you someone that you can work with that actually has the ability to apply common sense. So probably could go another fifteen minutes. I also wanna recognize his wife,

his

beautiful wife, Lindsey. And sometime when we're in service, I'm certain that most of you, if you were married, you probably had discussion with your spouse about serving. And if you did and you're here, I'm thankful to your spouse too that you're able to serve. So Lindsey, thank you for Wally's service. Wally, you like to add anything to say for her?

Just a couple things if I may. Alright. Thank you, chair Councilman Cullen, I'm sorry. I used to call him Chairman Cullen. Thank you all, each one of y'all. Thank all the folks that that served before you guys. I'm glad our senior member, miss Megan, showed up in true Megan fashion. You made it before I got to talk, so appreciate you, Megan. Megan was the only one that was here when I joined the Planning Commission, and she remains. I'm glad she's still here.

And, but there's been, know, this this board has overturned in just nine years a bunch, you know, several seats have changed two and three and four times, but y'all still, it's always been a good group, it's always been a respectful group. We may disagree, but I urge you to continue that respect amongst yourselves during these meetings, you know, talking offline, keep that respect. It doesn't happen everywhere. We see it every day on the news, but if you all would keep that other Wally word of wisdom, keep it simple, you know? Keep the simple stuff, get it done, knock it out, spend your time and your brain on the more complex stuff that really, really drives what we do and what we need to be doing here.

And hopefully, one day, we'll get to do a little planning, and not, we did plan it with a comprehensive plan, and I and that's one of our achievements is in my time here, but, you know, I I think that the Planning Commission probably should do more planning, or we need to change a name. But, yeah, thank you all for your time and thank you for your, your respect and your friendship over the years. Thank you.

Well, I'll keep it short and sweet. And on behalf of staff, the commission, Citizens Lake County, I appreciate everything you've done. Your tenure planning commission kind of was signature my tenure starting as development manager. You and I went through a lot of projects together. We spent a lot of tedious meetings going through those ordinances in 2018 and 2019. Comprehensive plan, which was a huge undertaking from the council. This planning commission and this staff have not undertaken in the last twenty years. That was a feat itself, and it's being applied daily. Todd mentioned you were he can count on one hand how many times that you you spoke. I can count on one hand how many times you missed a meeting here.

Functual, you're here all the time, you attended, you participated, if you had questions, you asked. You did your research prior to meetings and it it really really helps that navigate the issue. I really appreciate it. Thank you, Rob.

Yeah. I guess I'll close and as while I was just speaking, did think and maybe Megan, I'm sure you were here too and I don't know about the rest, but there were some first that came about in his time and one of them was a moratorium. Never had a moratorium before, a six month long moratorium and you weathered through that with the council. And we certainly appreciate that for those of you that were here. And our come grow with us, truly is is a comprehensive comprehensive plan of which I'm certain that you folks spent hours of time gave us as a governing body be able to put into play and hopefully use and follow today.

So with that being said, Wally, again, sincerely thank you for your service. God bless you.

Yes.

Let's go get pictures of y'all at the bottom. Could do it to council. You want a picture with all of all planning commission members today? Y'all stand right there. Yes. So you get a picture there. When you finish, just like we do employee of the quarter. If you wanna get downstairs

upstairs or that?

We'll do the first one up here with the planning commission members, and the last one will

be downstairs. Upstairs.

Okay. And

then we'll do them

downstairs. Next.

I'm glad you're in front of me.

You're you're pulling down in front. Hey, pulling down in

front. Okay. Alright. I guess we'll get back to business. Oh.

Alright. Minutes. Tab a. Have any corrections or a motion?

Motion to approve.

Commissioner Cox?

Yes.

Commissioner Shealy? Yes. Commissioner Pike? Yes. Commissioner Hutto? Yes. Commissioner Vice Chairman Frost?

Yes.

Chairwoman Mitchell? Yes.

Activity reports.

Madam chair, standard practice for you are the housing permits for the last month. They are reported quarterly and bimonthly. I'm not gonna go in a lot of detail on this. Obviously, the the bar chart in front of you, bar graph illustrates the the trends over the last thirteen years for both single family homes and manufactured homes. This is a zoomed in version of kinda where we've been training for the last seven years.

The quarterly updates for single family homes in the last two months for 2026, we had 290 new permits. You can go back and look at the information over the last four years. We did have a higher amount, twenty four and twenty five, as far as single family home permits. Historically, prior to that, our average was around 1,300, 1,400 single family homes a year. Manufactured permits, we track those also.

Last two months in the 2026, we've had 82. Again, you're seeing a trend for the manufacturing home permits over the last couple of years start to increase. Pipeline lots for the last twelve months, we've had three new ones in February. One is in the Casey area. The information is is listed on the map. We've had ones within the town of Gaston. We've had another one just West of Lexington, North of 378. It's an additional phase for an existing subdivision of Summerlake. Currents reviews, we had two approvals in February. The one was Avanti Townhomes, which one the planning commission has seen before.

Per our policies and procedures, they were able to resubmit after a ninety day period, and they resubmitted in the time of resubmittal. School districts were not utilized in the review process, so that one has been approved. And the previous pipeline lot for Summer Lake Subdivision, Summer Lake East Shore North Of 378 was also approved for concurrency in February. For information purposes, in your packet is annual activity report for the permits and development plan review for 2026 or 2025. Excuse me.

And likewise is the housing information for the year last year. Again, these graphs are similar to what you just used on the screen. And here are the complete numbers for last year. As I've previously mentioned, the numbers for 2025 and 2024 are a little bit higher than they have been previously. Again, on historically average is 1,300 to 1,400 new single family homes per year. Manufactured home permits, again, like I mentioned previously, they are starting to increase. We had four eighty two last year, which is about 50 higher than what we had the previous year.

Thank you. Access policy variance one.

Morning. The first variance request we have this morning is property of Jeremiah and Rucha Pickens. This is on tax map number 00789805002. If you recall last month, this request was presented, and you voted to table this request until the landowner could attend the meeting and see if the existing easement and the new easement could be brought up to code. Mister Jeremiah Pickens is here today, and he'll be available to answer any of your questions.

And I'll just go ahead and go through the request again for you. This is the sketch that he provided. Just to go over, it's property 3.27 acres on Dogwood Road in West Columbia, which is south of the town of South Congaree. This is an existing landlocked parcel. Mister Pickens would like to subdivide a portion of the parcel where there is an existing mobile home.

He plans to construct a new single family residence on the remaining portion. Variances are needed to several items of the access policy. Item two states if an access easement is used to provide a driveway for a landlocked parcel, that access easement may only be designated over one parcel. Item three states if an access easement is used to provide a driveway for a landlocked parcel, that access easement may not serve another landlocked parcel. And item six states an access easement serving a two acre or larger landlocked parcel shall be, at least 50 feet wide along its entire length.

So this property was first established, in 1968 as a landlocked portion. In November 2000, an easement agreement was established. So mister Pickens would like to use the existing easement to access from Dogwood Road and continue the easement along a new portion that would be established along an adjoining property owner to, access the portion where his new dwelling would be located. This is a aerial photo of his property. That's just a little closer view.

This the blue line is where the existing easement is located. He would like to continue that easement portion to get to the where the red portion is at 1236 Dogwood. That's where the existing mobile home is located. The orange line would be the new extension of the easement to get to the remaining portion of his property where he would intend to build a house. We did have some site photos that we took before last month's meeting at Dogwood Road at the easement location.

This is looking into that driveway. This is the location of where that proposed easement extension would be, and this is the existing mobile home at 1236 Dawood. And then that takes us back to his sketch that he drew on the existing plat showing how he would subdivide the portion. And then you'll see that the Cushmans have signed his sketch stating that they agree with the easement request. I will go ahead now and read his standards into record.

A, extraordinary and exceptional conditions. The subject property is landlocked and contains two assigned addresses, 1236 and 1240, which the proposed subdivision will formally recognize. Parcel configuration, topography, and existing development patterns prevent direct frontage to a public roadway. Access is provided solely by an existing established driveway. Parcel 1236 will retain its deeded easement and a new deeded easement will be established for 1240 along the same driveway alignment.

The property has an approved septic site and is otherwise suitable for residential development. B, conditions not generally applicable. These access limitations are unique to the subject property and do not generally apply to surrounding parcels, which typically have direct frontage or sufficient access to meet ordinance standards without reliance on multiple easements or reduced with ingress and egress. C, unreasonable restriction without variances. Strict application of the access policy would effectively prohibit subdivision and a reasonably restrict use of the property.

Without the requested variances, legal access for the new parcel cannot be established preventing reasonable residential development despite the property's suitability and an existing construction contract with Madison Home Builders. D, no substantial detriment to adjacent properties or county quality of life. The proposed the proposal relies exclusively on an existing driveway, avoids new roadway construction, and minimizes environmental disturbance. Traffic patterns will remain unchanged. Adjacent property owners have reviewed the plans, signed off on them and approved the requested easements.

Approval will not adversely affect neighboring properties or the general welfare of the county. E, not based solely on financial hardship. While denial could result in financial consequences related to the construction contract, financial hardship alone is not the basis for this request. The variances are justified by physical site constraints, established access conditions, and the need to formalize legal access for subdivision. And I can answer any questions you have or, mister Pickens is available to answer any of your questions.

It seemed at the last meeting, one of the biggest questions we had was whether or not the existing easement and new easement could be brought up to code so that we're you know, we're only dealing with the serving two parcels issue. So I'd like to hear from the property owner if that's possible or what would prevent that.

If you could state your name and address too, please.

Jeremiah Pickens. 1236 Dogwood Road. The prop property owners are not willing to adjust the easement to 50 feet to be able to access the property to bring that up to code. So the variance of less than of 20 feet would be necessary. The neighbor there at 1240 Dogwood, if I was to get a 50 foot parcel, that would probably take a quarter of his property. So he's not willing to extend that easement to 50 feet.

Thank you.

How about the driving surfaces itself? How many houses are currently getting fed? If I'm looking at sand lappers survey here, it looks like you've got the existing driveway and then you've actually got a fork going up towards Paul's name. So is that feeding another parcel above what we're looking at?

That current driveway is actually feeding three properties currently. That would be Paul Cushman's 1240, my address 1236, and then

The mobile home.

The other mobile home on, I believe it is 1244. Even though they have road frontage, they're using the established driveway.

They're using it, but they're not

Correct.

Okay.

Do they have a driveway?

They do not have a driveway established on the part where they have the road frontage. They're just using the current drive that's already established, and then they have their own driveway that forks off.

Who maintains the road? What's the road surface like? I know we had snow in a lot of those pictures.

It's Is gravel?

Is it dirt?

It's partially paved and gravel, and I maintain the gravel part with my tractor.

Does Paul help you at all with any of the maintenance? Have you looked into doing a private road agreement with your

No.

I have property owners? I don't know what that would entail, but maybe that would kinda span the maintenance aspect of it and let you guys improve the road surface if you're gonna increase the number of homes on it. Is the home that you're looking to build, is it already built on the three point No. Down by the creek? So you've got the mobile home, the home that will be built, and then Paul?

Yep. Paul Cushman's home is there, and then it used to be Alexander Sin who was on the other side, but I'm not not really sure if they're still residing there.

But there's a house there?

Yes.

So that somebody could be living there. It's a lot of traffic on the double easement thing. I think it what Rebecca, what do you think on a private road concept to your you've with all these houses?

I feel like he would have some of the same challenges he has now for he'd still have to have consent from the adjoining property owners to dedicate the road right of way. If you're serving three properties, of course, the right of way can be, I think, 20 feet. If you go to four or more, then it varies from 30 to 50 feet. You know, it's off of a paved road. The private road would need to be paved.

It would need to have a turnaround at the end if possible. I think the reason that we talked when we were talking to Mr. Pickens in the beginning is this would be his final development, and the purpose is to get the mobile home off construction loan. Am I am I right, Ms. That's correct. So, you know, if he didn't have to do that, he wouldn't be coming to you today. Everything would stay as is.

I don't see any issues with it. I just think that, you know, that there are a lot of people utilizing the driveway that you're maintaining. Do we have any issues with EMS or fire or down there and we've got enough address points?

Yes, ma'am.

Is the is the 15 foot easement, is it actually designated a certain 15 feet, like, by survey markers or anything? Or is it pretty much just wherever the driveway

surface That

was just the width of the gate, and I'm pretty sure I could have the property owner remove that gate if I'm granted access.

Well, looking at the looking at the plat, it doesn't it doesn't show, you know, it shows an ingress, egress easement, but it doesn't give any it doesn't say exactly where it's at. Is it pretty much just where the driving surface is?

That that 15 feet is just pretty much that gate right there that has that there is already an established driveway to this easement that I'm already requesting. It is gravel, and the gate is 15 feet, but the actual driveway is closer to about 25.

Okay. So where you need an easement, you're actually going have to put in a drive?

No. There's actually a driveway already established.

Okay. Sorry.

It's just when I purchased the property back in 2019, that was not part of the established easement agreement, but there is already a driveway that goes back to that portion of the property.

And the drive is large enough for a fire truck? Yes, sir. I'm good.

Madam Chairwoman, I would like to make a motion. Based on the information presented, I believe that this property meets all of the criteria necessary to grant the variances that are being requested. So I would recommend approval.

I'll second it.

Second.

Second. Commissioner Cox?

Yes.

Commissioner Shealy?

Yes.

Commissioner Pike? Yes. Commissioner Hutto? Yes. Vice Chairman Frost? Yes. Chairwoman Mitchell?

Yes.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Next one?

Yes, ma'am. Alright. The next access policy variance we have today is property of Oak Valley Plantation LLC. Oak Valley Plantation LLC currently owns approximately nine seventy acres in Gaston, South of Edmond Highway. Jacob and Jennifer Cook would like to subdivide a 7.94 acre parcel to be accessed by an easement from Gator Road.

A plat was prepared in 2022 and indicates the easement length will be 4,366 feet. A variance is needed to item 16 of the access policy, which states neither an access easement nor a driveway portion of a flag lot shall exceed 2,000 feet in total length except on the basis that the access parcel shall not be further subdivided. Staff in its discretion may refer such plans to the Planning Commission for approval. This easement location is also located approximately a 138 feet from Lumberjack Drive, which is a county maintained road with a local road classification. A variance is also needed to item eight of the access policy, which states in part an access easement serving a two acre or larger landlocked parcel shall be directly aligned with or separated at least a 150 feet from an existing or proposed local road as measured from centerline to centerline.

A little history on this named driveway. On 05/06/1996, Harvey Cook completed a street naming petition with the Department of Planning and Development and requested approval to name the existing driveway Oak Valley Drive. This was to name the driveway only and was not approving the driveway as a public or private roadway. This is the plat that the, cooks have had prepared back in 2022 to go ahead and establish that 7.94 acre portion. This is a aerial view of that property.

This is just looking at the where the driveway access is from Gator Road. This is the aerial showing the approximate location of where their eight acre parcel would be. We do have some photos along Gator Road at that driveway location. This is looking toward that Lumberjack Drive, where you can see that it's a little bit less than what that required separation distance is. This is looking into the beginning of the driveway, and this is the location of where their proposed parcel would be.

Again, that's back to their plat that they've had prepared, and they did submit their standards, and I'll read those into record. A, there are extraordinary and exceptional conditions pertaining to the property or properties. The property does not strictly meet requirements for road proximity due to historical regulations when the named road was originally given over three decades ago. Due to the unique physical characteristics and the family property which has been created, a literal enforcement of the current zoning code would create an unnecessary hardship effectively preventing us from utilizing the land for its intended residential purpose. B, these conditions do not generally apply to other properties in

the

vicinity. Oak Valley Plantation LLC is an extremely unique property in Lexington County. Due to the size and vicinity, it is a rarity and thus why such a request is being submitted for a variance. C, because of these conditions, the application of this ordinance to the particular property or properties would effectively prohibit or unreasonably restrict the utilization of the property or properties. Our desire is to build a home on the property.

The lender is requiring the land to be in our name. We are seeking approval of the access policy variance that would allow this plat the surveyor has prepared to be approved in order to receive a deed and build a family home on the reference plat. D, the authorization of this variance would not be a substantial detriment to adjacent property or the quality of life for the residents of the county. The request is solely out of a desire to build on land, desire to be shared with family. Adjacent properties would see no physical or traffic difference.

The desire of said property is to have a welcoming home for the family, neighbors, and friends, thus would be adding to the quality of life for residents in the county. When deliberating a variance request, financial hardships alone cannot be considered for the basis of a variance. The request is solely out of a desire to build on land, desire to be shared with family. The land is special to both the current owners, parents of those submitting the request, and those requesting, son, daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. Our desire is to enjoy the land together as a family. And mister Cook is here today if you have questions for him.

And I guess maybe this is a question for Mr. Cook. So this is children are buying property from parents at this parcel in the middle to create Correct. Something about the house. This is and is there how many additional acres are there out there? There's two I guess there's one home right now that's being served by this room.

If you Yeah.

970.

Robert Road. And

if you'll just give your name, full name, and address, please, too.

Jacob Cook. I live at 128 Scarlet Oak Way in Lexington right now.

Thank you.

So my parents live there now. They have a home and then there's a penthouse that would probably be considered a home although nobody lives there. It does have an address. So this would be a third home and additional acres. Guess my concern,

my question is there's 900 acres still out there, which to me indicates it's probably going to be back looking at this further subdivision. So I'm wondering if a private road is more appropriate in this circumstance. That's just my only thought.

I don't not in in my opinion, not in this particular situation. I would say when subdivision happens, they're probably going to change Jacob's driveway, he's going to incorporate that into a cul de sac in the neighborhood at that point would be my guess. You got any other kin looking to subdivide the property anytime soon?

No. I mean, the next one's nine years old. So I mean, that track, it'd be thirty years plus if they were interested and if they lived in Lexington County and a lot of ifs there. But no, I'm the last one for the next thirty years. We've considered it, but that just for the longevity and that kind of thing, probably things will change between now and then.

And it's currently what's the surface currently?

It's asphalt. Asphalt? Okay. Up to the plat.

Okay. So it's it'll be asphalt all the way to your property? Yes, Okay.

Yes, sir. That

that is actual driveway, and that's a pond there. All of that is asphalt. But

Any further questions or discussion?

No. Looking

over the standards of variance and the neatness of the property, I make a motion to approve the variance request as presented.

Second.

Okay.

Commissioner Cox?

Yes.

Commissioner Shealy?

Yes.

Commissioner Pike? Yes. Commissioner Hutto? Yes. Vice Chairman Frost?

Yes.

Chairwoman Mitchell? Yes. Thank you.

Thank you.

Subdivision Bond? Yes, ma'am. There's one item to report this month. Okay. For Carriage Estates phase one, they did their three year agreement expired on 02/05/2026. This is still an active project that Pulte Group is the developer of. In lieu of a collection on the letter of credit, they submitted cash funds in the amount of $238,410.71 that will hold in trust until the final plat is approved.

First carriage estates. That's very right. Group classifications.

Make a motion to approve them. Second.

Commissioner Cox?

Yes.

Commissioner Shealy?

Yes.

Commissioner Pike? Yes. Commissioner Hutto? Yes. Vice Chairman Frost? Yes. Chairwoman Mitchell? Yes.

Any announcements or information?

Everybody done their continuing education?

I'll say a large majority of the body has completed their continuing education. Again, the the information association counties, like to put some of the training session generally every Friday. I want a half there. They're offered by the Ohio Chapter eight PA. Recently in the last month, they've kind of changed up their process a little bit. They're having them on Thursdays. They're only an hour, so I'm not sure if that's a new process they're doing. Training that you may have attended or interested in and may qualify, just let me know. I've got Sharon Mitchell. She had a training session in Columbia two weeks ago.

It was sponsored by two state agencies, and the criteria was met as far as the the agenda. Just a couple other items. I emailed all of y'all last week, survey and information on the county's transportation improvement plan. I encourage all of y'all to please visit that website. That is a a very good program we're looking at now.

Additional means and concerns as far as traffic within the county from a planning perspective. I'm working with the vendors to utilize that as far as improvements for developments similar how TowneLexson uses their transportation plan for LTIP to help identify means and and requirements for new developments to put in traffic control devices, turn lanes, etcetera, further to further explore those. Also looking at access management planning, the limit number of access points on certain roadways. We worked with DOT probably four or five years ago to start that process. So we've incorporated the roads that we identified with DOT for that access Working with that.

There's several stakeholder meetings, open houses. There's one last night at the auxiliary building. We had one Tuesday night at Peugeot High School. Next Monday, there's one at 7 Oaks Park in Irma. And next Wednesday, there's one at 5PM to 7PM.

Our consultant, which is Stantec, they pretty much lead the meeting with all the information. The link that I provided to y'all has a survey, has an interactive map. So please, if can't attend the meetings, go online, utilize that to put in your information. We'll have another round of stakeholder meetings and information meetings once the initial data is collected. I'm gonna try to work with the consultant maybe to come to planning commission once we get laid process and present the planning commission and see if we can get some additional feedback.

There's also a safe a safe streets for all plan, and the action plan was adopted at our last council meeting. It's a plan that was it was funded through the federal government. The US Department of Transportation is to identify areas to limit and also to work on complete streets. Sidewalks, can put in bike lanes, pedestrian crossings, things of that nature. It was led by our public works department. I got a copy of that action plan yesterday. I'll provide that to the planning commission too. It's a lot of we've got a lot of good information. A lot of them will coincide with the Transportation Improvement Plan. So I think we're taking some steps initially on the Transportation Planning portion that's working with our Public Works Department.

Really excited about that. Trying to get some feedback from Planning Commission. I know you're giving hard copies of your agendas monthly. I know you're also giving electronic copies via email. Hard copy is something this body still wants to receive.

One, that's one question. You can confirmation on two, we're looking at deploying iPads. I have to work with our IT department and just get iPads, which may set up a SharePoint account where you can access all this information electronically. So just looking for feedback if, again, if the electronic versions are sufficient, if you still need the bound copies, and if you all do want to explore one of those iPads for purposes of this body. Comments? Positive? Negative?

I don't think we need iPads. That's just not

We already have them, Megan. Oh. They were purchased about three years ago. They've just never been deployed.

Before before I came.

Okay. They were purchased.

I'm okay with electronic.

I mean, I'm okay with electronic. I do like the idea of having iPad so that I have it here in front of me without bringing mine. So I I just think this

In lieu of the paper copy.

Yeah.

Or a

MacBook or something like that if you guys have those.

Well, it it has a keyboard. Like, we ordered they ordered everything. It was the iPad. It's got the case with the keyboard. I mean, it it's like

many laptops. YouTube and stuff on it for for my five year old? No. I mean, I was just hypothetically speaking.

Trust me. We have enough security measures on our computers now. One thing I'll mention too is is Angel, Kelsey, myself, we had a meeting with last week. Just kinda go over some of these items. One item that was brought up was potential work session prior to planning commission meetings.

Currently, how Lexington and their planning commission has work sessions the day before to go over agenda items to getting additional details, background, etcetera, relating to the agendas. I did express to both of those folks, I think we need to discuss that as whole or with the commission. My concern is, is we have the group that may want to do that and the other half not, is it really on the flip side, if it's if it's a method that his body wants to pursue, I need to work out. So just putting that out there for discussion. I'm not expecting an answer back today. I think it's going

to take

the time to soak in. Maybe our next meeting in April circle back under.

Can it be done on an as needed basis? I mean, I don't necessarily think that all of our meetings require that, but it might be nice to have a work session for some of them.

I think some of the ordinance amendments and things we're we're talking about future in the future some things I mentioned to you about council work session we had last week. Definitely, those would be Right. Necessary. Some of your minor amendments, maybe some of your your very routine I hate calling routine, but routine access policy variances, maybe not. Right. Definitely, as Wally mentioned this morning, true planning aspects, I think it will be very I

agree.

I agree. Streamlined like the morning. So not that I don't love being here for however long it takes, but kind of get our questions answered ahead of time.

Yes. That seems to be the most beneficial part of it is you have an opportunity to talk to staff, ask questions, and it does streamline. Formal meeting here in the mornings, we're not here for two, two and a half hours. We can get through stuff tonight. My suggestion

would thoroughly be enjoy my time here, and I'll spend all day if I need to. Speaking of all day, concurrency on schools. We're back at it?

We are working on an updated policy for council. Our goal is to have that at the last council meeting, but that meeting was referred to another strategic retreat, specific for zoning and development related matters. I'm working with administration and legal. Hopefully, we'll be bringing it back to counsel's attention next Tuesday. Also, the state, general assembly is discussing state statutes on concurrency. There's been several various versions of that that bill. I believe it's up for discussion today. I think one of the maybe one of the house subcommittees. I'm not sure which one, but I believe it's up for debate today.

I know when we had Keith Price here last time around and his the other two people, I forget their names, but when we had them here last time, they were getting their study back in February. And I would guess that they've had some time to review and get some kind of strategy on what they plan on doing for in the next year, two, five years on that. Is there any way we can circle back around with them and see if we can get them back in a meeting

this I'll follow-up with Doctor. Price and see if they can present. Probably May is what I'll shoot for.

Yeah. If they have it ready, you know, I don't

the commission last process.

And I would love to hear them as folks in here. Me

too. The office there. They're obviously seeing the front of the growth and development.

Yes. They

are. Limited number of schools, limited resources. I definitely like to have them present.

I would love that too.

Robbie, the bill that seems to give you the most traction in the House does not include schools. Currently, it includes traffic and water, sewer, utilities. I haven't looked at the language, but since it doesn't include schools, would they would that be prohibited from concurrency or would that be just up to the individual municipalities, local governments?

Depends on the language of the statute.

If you can look concurrency can and cannot include is as commissioner Mike said, it would depend on the overall

Okay. I just I wasn't sure if you had seen the language.

I have not. Do the schools are prohibited from it initially and parks and recreation?

Parks and recreation. Yeah. I did I did see those two things.

That's someone else. I'll segue into the council work session. Council had a strategic retreat last Tuesday in lieu of a council meeting. Myself, Walt McPherson, our zoning administrator, Matt Roller, our land development manager, Rebecca Conway, Kelsey Groban, we all attended. Angel was one of our note takers at the meeting.

We had three breakout sessions. We're utilizing the comprehensive plan to identify growth and development within certain areas of the county. We had a very good meeting where different areas of the county, those those council members identified concerns, areas of improvement. We're in the process of compiling all their notes, seeing what's different, seeing how it complies with comprehensive plans, seeing what consistencies we have across the board. That information is provided been provided to the chair and vice chair. That's a few more documents I need to get to those. Hopefully, we're gonna have some guidance on how to proceed. Conversations and feedback from that meeting, I anticipate planning coming out of this using our comprehensive plan.

Woo hoo.

I know our group, I had councilwoman Westinger and councilman Brigham in the more rural part of the county. Had some very candid, transparent, open conversations in each group. I think we're we're really making strides to to make some improvements at least in the residential development and density portion of our our code. So that I know will be back before this body probably, I would say, summer or early fall. I'm very encouraged so far of what I've seen and and what direction.

Awesome. And I will say, I might have the same thought when we were talking about the work sessions as concurrency is the first thing that came to mind. If particularly with what district it's in, those work sessions when you're considering whether that's something you may wanna do, you know, maybe that gives us time also to bring in that council person's, you know, for the district or whatever and and get some feedback from what they're seeing and they're And

that council person has nothing to do with the school district.

Oh, is.

Got to bring somebody in, you bring somebody

in But from the does school when we need them to give them a recommendation and them to see what questions we have so that it can help us guide the recommendations that they're looking for since we haven't really had a whole lot of guidance. Would say bring

somebody in that's not voted in maybe. Bring in your staff that's way more able to answer those questions.

I disagree. I think that we do need the councilman to come in. Because first of all, that councilman represents that district. And they represent what the citizens in that area want, what kind of development. And I think we need to hear that.

I you can go to county council meetings to hear that, but I think that this board should make decisions not based off of, you know, what it is that this council person this is my opinion. Yeah. I mean, we can have them in there. The more, the merrier as far as an intellectual conversation goes. But, yeah, if you can get them in, great. You know, let's listen

to what they have to

say, but I don't necessarily think that that's what our body honestly,

we're very early on in this process. There's a lot of different nuances and intangibles we have to work out. But I do agree with with chairwoman Mitchell. I think the work sessions, if concurrency is back on the table with schools, as an opportunity to bring school district representatives in at the work session and have those open and candid conversations as far as what direction you all

Are they gonna be able to educate these kids? That's that's

what the importance is there. Definitely to include them in that process. Yep. I will work with administration and our legal and hopefully have walk through what the logistics.

Thank you.