August 2016 ~ Thunder Pig

Macon County Commissioners

Coverage of the meetings of the Macon County Board of County Commissioners.

Franklin Town Board of Aldermen

Coverage of the meetings of the Franklin Town Board of Aldermen.

Macon County School Board

Coverage of the meetings of the Macon County School Board.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

1952 Studebaker Champion

Here is a nice looking 1952 Studebaker Champion observed in the Walmart parking lot this morning. The above photo is a sketch with only the car colored and below is a true color image of the car.

And, of course, no 1952 Studebaker would be complete without a T-Shirt with the likeness of President Eisenhower on it.

Macon County Airport Authority August 2016 Meeting

The Macon County Airport Authority met on the afternoon of August 30, 2016 at the Macon County Airport for their regular monthly meeting. Gavel to gavel video of the meeting is posted below.

MEDIA ROLL CALL
(media outlets with reporters present)

Macon Media (me)
The Franklin Press

CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at >> https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia

School Begins Today in Macon County

8/29/2016 04:59:00 AM citizen journalism , Macon Safety , schools 0 comments

The first day of school in Macon County is today. So, be on the lookout for slow moving school buses and for children on the side of the road.

Here is the law in North Carolina regarding when drivers are required to stop for school buses:

When a school bus is displaying its mechanical stop signal or flashing red lights and the bus is stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers, the driver of any other vehicle that approaches the school bus from any direction on the same street, highway, or public vehicular area shall bring that other vehicle to a full stop and shall remain stopped. The driver of the other vehicle shall not proceed to move, pass, or attempt to pass the school bus until after the mechanical stop signal has been withdrawn, the flashing red stoplights have been turned off, and the bus has started to move.

If you see someone violating the North Carolina School Bus Law (NCGS 20-217), please download and use these documents after you have called *HP on your cell phone. Report of violation of School Bus Law (G. S. 20-217) (MS Doc file) or (PDF file)

Since 1999, 13 North Carolina children have been struck and killed while getting on or off a stopped school bus. There have been 2,552 convicetions statewide for a failure to stop for a stopped school bus in the last five years, and in 2015 alone, there were 2,271 convictions for speeding in a school zone.

Here are some safety tips for Drivers, Children and Parents:

Drivers

•When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.

•When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking of getting there safely.

•Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in neighborhood.

•Slow down. Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.

•Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
Learn and obey the school bus laws in your state. Learn the "flashing signal light system" that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions:

•Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.

•Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

Children

•Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.

•When the bus approaches, stand at least three giant steps (6 feet) away from the curb, and line up away from the street.

•Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says that it's okay before stepping onto the bus.

•If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least five giant steps (10 feet) ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure that the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.

•Use the handrails to avoid falls. When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with draw strings, and book bags with straps don't get caught in the handrails or doors.

•Never walk behind the bus.
Walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.

•If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.

Parents

Teach children to follow these common sense practices to make school bus transportation safer.

Keeping our children safe takes teamwork and together we can make a difference!

For more information on North Carolina’s Stop Arm Law, please go to the following link:http://www.ncbussafety.org/SchoolBusSafety/SBSWlaw.html

For more information, visit the Watch for Me NC campaign website to learn more about what you can do to keep roads safe for everyone.

Download the Back to School Safety Tips PDF for more information.

CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at >> https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia

Electrical Outage Impacts Onion Mountain Area
Duke Energy Estimates Service Will be Restored by Midnight

8/26/2016 08:32:00 PM Duke Energy , Local News , outage 0 comments

**9:10 pm** Duke Energy has restored service to this area. The only outage remaining in the county a single outage off AMmons Road that has an estimated time of restoration of 11:30 pm.

19 Duke Energy Customers in the Onion Mountain area are without electrical service this evening and some are also experiencing an internet outage. The map included with this post shows the approximate location of the area impacted by the electrical outage.

The first electrical outage was reported at 7:48 pm

Duke estimates service will be restored by midnight.

Macon County Board of Health
Regular August 2016 Meeting

8/24/2016 06:56:00 AM citizen journalism , Local News , Macon County Board of Health , Macon Media , public health 0 comments

The Macon County Board of Health met Tuesday, August 23, 2016 in the conference room of the Macon County Department of Health at 1830 Lakeside Drive.

Full video of the meeting and supporting documents are embedded below. Some of these documents were transcribed and clarifying links added to help the reader, and any errors are unintentional.

VIDEO

DOCUMENTATION

Meeting Agenda

Macon County Board of Health

August 23, 2016

Public Comment
Call to Order
Approve Agenda

Welcome

1. Presentation
A. Customer Satisfation Survey Results - Kathy McGaha

2. Approve Minutes of Meeting

3. Old Business
A. Needle Exchange - Lynn Baker
B. Rabie Compendium - Jimmy Villard/JIm Bruckner

4. New Business
A. Flu Plan - Jennifer Garrett
B. Billing Guide and Fee Plan - Diane Keener/Dorota Anthony

5. Board Traming and Announcements
A. Macon County Fair Handout
B. Annual Update of List of Committees
C. BUdget Update

Next Meeting
• Requested Agenda/Discussion Items (General Updates, Emerging Issues, etc)
• 9/27/2016

Adjourn

MEDIA ROLLCALL
(media outlets with reporters/photographers present)

Macon Media
The Franklin Press
Macon County News and Shopping Guide
WFSC-AM/WNCC-FM

Documents shared during the meeting are posted/embedded below.

HOUSE BILL 972 Needle Exchange Program Authorization
(Ratified during the 2015 session in the "Law Enforcement Recordings/No Public Record" Law)
Full Bill Text

SECTION 4. Article 5C of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 90‑113.27. Needle and hypodermic syringe exchange programs authorized; limited immunity.
(a) Any governmental or nongovernmental organization, including a local or district health department or an organization that promotes scientifically proven ways of mitigating health risks associated with drug use and other high‑risk behaviors, may establish and operate a needle and hypodermic syringe exchange program. The objectives of the program shall be to do all of the following:
(1) Reduce the spread of HIV, AIDS, viral hepatitis, and other bloodborne diseases in this State.
(2) Reduce needle stick injuries to law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel.
(3) Encourage individuals who inject drugs to enroll in evidence‑based treatment.
(b) Programs established pursuant to this section shall offer all of the following:
(1) Disposal of used needles and hypodermic syringes.
(2) Needles, hypodermic syringes, and other injection supplies at no cost and in quantities sufficient to ensure that needles, hypodermic syringes, and other injection supplies are not shared or reused. No public funds may be used to purchase needles, hypodermic syringes, or other injection supplies.
(3) Reasonable and adequate security of program sites, equipment, and personnel. Written plans for security shall be provided to the police and sheriff's offices with jurisdiction in the program location and shall be updated annually.
(4) Educational materials on all of the following:
a. Overdose prevention.
b. The prevention of HIV, AIDS, and viral hepatitis transmission.
c. Drug abuse prevention.
d. Treatment for mental illness, including treatment referrals.
e. Treatment for substance abuse, including referrals for medication assisted treatment.
(5) Access to naloxone kits that contain naloxone hydrochloride that is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of a drug overdose, or referrals to programs that provide access to naloxone hydrochloride that is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of a drug overdose.
(6) For each individual requesting services, personal consultations from a program employee or volunteer concerning mental health or addiction treatment as appropriate.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of the Controlled Substances Act in Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes or any other law, no employee, volunteer, or participant of a program established pursuant to this section shall be charged with or prosecuted for possession of any of the following:
(1) Needles, hypodermic syringes, or other injection supplies obtained from or returned to a program established pursuant to this section.
(2) Residual amounts of a controlled substance contained in a used needle, used hypodermic syringe, or used injection supplies obtained from or returned to a program established pursuant to this section.
The limited immunity provided in this subsection shall apply only if the person claiming immunity provides written verification that a needle, syringe, or other injection supplies were obtained from a needle and hypodermic syringe exchange program established pursuant to this section. In addition to any other applicable immunity or limitation on civil liability, a law enforcement officer who, acting on good faith, arrests or charges a person who is thereafter determined to be entitled to immunity from prosecution under this section shall not be subject to civil liability for the arrest or filing of charges.
(d) Prior to commencing operations of a program established pursuant to this section, the governmental or nongovernmental organization shall report to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, all of the following information:
(1) The legal name of the organization or agency operating the program.
(2) The areas and populations to be served by the program.
(3) The methods by which the program will meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.
(e) Not later than one year after commencing operations of a program established pursuant to this section, and every 12 months thereafter, each organization operating such a program shall report the following information to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health:
(1) The number of individuals served by the program.
(2) The number of needles, hypodermic syringes, and needle injection supplies dispensed by the program and returned to the program.
(3) The number of naloxone kits distributed by the program.
(4) The number and type of treatment referrals provided to individuals served by the program, including a separate report of the number of individuals referred to programs that provide access to naloxone hydrochloride that is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of a drug overdose."

EMERGING PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES

Unnecessary Exposures to Hepatitis-C THrough Sharing of Needles, Illegal Tattooing and Unregulated Body Art (piercings and Implants)

Hepatitis-C (Hep-C) is classified two ways; Chronic Hep-C and Acute Hep-C. Chronic Hep-C is a slow-progressing disease, with symptoms that may not appear for years, if at all. If left untreated, Chronic Hep-C can lead to liver damage, and potentially even liver cancer. Acute Hep-C is a short term viral infection that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the Hepatitis-C virus. For most people an Acute Hep-C infection will turn into CHronic Hep-C. Hep-C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the Hep-C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Hep-C is the most common bloodborne infection in the US, and there is no vaccine; however, it is a treatable condition. Today, most people become infected with the Hep-C virus by sharing of needles or other equipment used for injection purposes. Other ways Hep-C can be spread is through contact with dried blood on equipment or surfaces, and/or blood splashes in the eyes, nose or mouth.

The number of acute Hep-C cases is on the rise in North Carolina (NC). Between 2010 and 2015 the number of reported cases of acute Hep-C has tripled (close to a 300% increase). Acute Hep-C is a reportable disease under state law; however, it continues to go under-reported and underestimated. It is estimated that there are approximately 110,000 North Carolinians with Chronic Hep-C. Some facts about Hep-C:

• Hep-C virus in 10x more infectious than HIV;
• 50% of cases are more than likely unaware they've been infected;
• 41% od cases are between the ages of 21 and 30;
• 75% of adults with Hep-C are Baby Boomers (born between 1945 & 1965);
• 37% of those infected reported injection drug use; and
• 75% to 85% of people with Hep-C will develop chronic illness. (ii)

Hep-C in Western North Carolina (WNC):

In Macon County and many surrounding counties, Hep-C has become a significant health concern. A recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study identified five counties in NC, three of which are in WNC: Graham, Clay and Cherokee as being in the top 220 counties in the United States as having a high prevalence of Acute Hep-C infections (iii) Macon County shares a border with these counties.

Tattoos, piercings and other forms of body modifications (all referred to as "body art") are prevalent in today's society including here in WNC. While it used to be uncommon to encounter someone with a tattoo or piercing outside of certain groups, one can hardly go about their day without encountering someone who has been tattooed or pierced.

Research studies show that in the informal, unregulated tattooing and piercing settings, where poor infection-control practices are used that the transmission of Hep-C is possible. iv These same studies show that when tattooing and piercing are properly regulated Hep-C is not spread.

In recent months, we have seen a rise in the number of illegal tattoo artists operating in Macon County. There have been three that we know of. This department has invested a significant number of work hours to ensure that these individuals cease and desist from tattooing. Additionally, we have had to invest significant time in investigating this illegal operation in an effort to identify the people this individual tattooed so as to make sure they were appropriately tested for Hep-C, Hep-B and HIV as these viruses can make them sick and possibly their families sick. This is not just a Macon County problem. As the department has been working to address this issue, we have determined that other county health departments are experiencing a similar problem. Given how common body art is today, and due to the high prevalence of Hep-C in WNC, an examination of the impacts on health and possible further regulation of these industries should be considered.

Tattooing in NC:

The tattoo industry in NC is currently regulated and enforced at the local level by the county health department. These laws are in place to protect the health and safety of both the artist and the client due to the potential ease of transmission of bloodborne pathogens during the tattooing process. Improper (and illegal) tattooing techniques lead to the transmission of diseases (including Hep-C) that are serious and have a lifelong impact on the individual and could create significant increases in cost of health care for everyone. Proper tattooing techniques ensure that those who do receive tattoos do so in a safe manner. In addition to the techniques used, the use of proper equipment (such as autoclave and disposable needles), and the proper treatment of inks are important to prevent bloodborne pathogens/disease from bring spread.

There are consequences to those found to b e tattooing without a permit in NC law. However, these consequences are not proving to be severe enough to discourage those who tattoo illegally (class I misdemeanor), and enforcing these consequences has proven to be difficult (not viewed by the legal system as a significant crime).

Piercings and Body Modifications in NC:

Piercing and other body modifications (such as dermal implants) are currently unregulated in NC; however, there is mention in General Statute 14-400 that body piercing of a minor is prohibited.
ProfessionaL Organizations (such as Association of Professional Piercers) that support safe piercing techniques and practices exist; however, membership is voluntary and uncommon.

Piercing and body modification have their own set of issues in the spread of bloodborne pathogens. The use of equipment similar to what is found in a permitted tattoo establishment along with procedures to minimize the risk of spreading infection such as Hep-C to those who wish to be pierced are lacking or non-existent in most of these establishments.

Piercing and body modification also presents other health risks. For example individuals with diabetes, hemophilia, autoimmune disorders, cardiac issues, skin conditions or who are or may be pregnant may experience serious complications from the procedure (i.e., bleeding, skin rashes or lesions, scars or bacterial infections, etc.)

The following are Areas of Concern Regarding Tattooing, Piercing and Body Modification in Relation to Hep-C:

• Penalties for tattooing without a permit do not discourage individuals from practicing without a permit.
• The act of piercing or body modifications is not regulated or inspected even though many times these procedures require the insertion of a needle and/or in some cases a surgical incision with a scalpel to place rings, plugs, eyelets, gauges, and other articles of jewelry.
• Piercing and tattooing, done improperly, pose a risk for infection; training in prevention of bloodborne pathogens exposure for those practitioners would minimize risk for them and their clients.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration Bloodborne Pathogens Standards that address accidental needle sticks do apply to this industry and this industry is required to maintain an OSHA Exposure Control Plan for accidental needle sticks, but these standards are generally not followed or enforced.
• Food and Drug Administration recently became aware of tattoo inks that had confirmed bacterial contamination in unopened bottles available for purchase online: neither the inks nor tattoo equipment are regulated by the FDA.
• Non-sterile water used to dilute concentrated inks can contaminate the ink with harmful germs which can lead to infections when deposited under the skin and spread to the bloodstream.
• Though Hep-C is treatable disease, the cost of treatment is extremely expensive and in many cases out of reach for the average person.

Sharing of Needles:

The sharing of needles by intravenous 9IV) drug users is a primary contributor to the spread of HIV and Hep-C in NC. The NC General Assembly passed legislation in 2016 which was signed into law and with an effective date of July 11, 2016. The new law allows any governmental or nongovernmental organization, including health departments, to establish and operate a needle and hypodermic syringe exchange program. The only issue with the new law is that no public funding can be used to support he program. The objectives of the new law are to:

• Reduce the spread of HIV, AIDS, viral hepatitis, and other bloodborne diseases in this State
• Reduce needle stick injuries to law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel
• Encourage individuals who inject drugs to enroll in evidence based treatment

This document was prepared by Kyle Jennings, REHS, Jonathan Fouts, REHS, and Jennifer Garrett, BSN, RN, CPN, CSN - Macon County Public Health

i -- Center for Disease Control and Precention: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/cfaq.htm 8/5/2016
ii -- NC DHHS, DHP, Communicable Disease Branch, Hepatitis-C in NC 2016 Fact Sheet 05/13/2016
iii -- Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Wiral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, County-level Vulnerability to Rapid Dissemination of HIV/HCV Infection Among Persons who Inject Drugs: 3/8/2016
iv -- Bloodborne pathogen risk reduction activities in the body piercing and tattooing industry. Lehman, EJ; Huy, J; Levy, E; Viet, SM; Mobley, A; McCleery, TZ, American Journal of Infection Control 2010 Mar, 38(2):130-138. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2009.07.008

§ 130A-39. Powers and duties of a local board of health.

(a) A local board of health shall have the responsibility to protect and promote the public health. The board shall have the authority to adopt rules necessary for that purpose.
(b) A local board of health may adopt a more stringent rule in an area regulated by the Commission for Public Health or the Environmental Management Commission where, in the opinion of the local board of health, a more stringent rule is required to protect the public health; otherwise, the rules of the Commission for Public Health or the rules of the Environmental Management Commission shall prevail over local board of health rules.
However, a local board of health may not adopt a rule concerning the grading, operating, and permitting of food and lodging facilities as listed in Part 6 of Article 8 of this Chapter and as defined in G.S. 130A-247(1), and a local board of health may adopt rules concerning wastewater collection, treatment and disposal systems which are not designed to discharge effluent to the land surface or surface waters only in accordance with G.S. 130A-335(c).
(c) The rules of a local board of health shall apply to all municipalities within the local board's jurisdiction.
(d) Not less than 10 days before the adoption, amendment or repeal of any local board of health rule, the proposed rule shall be made available at the office of each county clerk within the board's jurisdiction, and a notice shall be published in a newspaper having general circulation within the area of the board's jurisdiction. The notice shall contain a statement of the substance of the proposed rule or a description of the subjects and issues involved, the proposed effective date of the rule and a statement that copies of the proposed rule are available at the local health department. A local board of health rule shall become effective upon adoption unless a later effective date is specified in the rule.
(e) Copies of all rules shall be filed with the secretary of the local board of health.
(f) A local board of health may, in its rules, adopt by reference any code, standard, rule or regulation which has been adopted by any agency of this State, another state, any agency of
the United States or by a generally recognized association. Copies of any material adopted by reference shall be filed with the rules.
(g) A local board of health may impose a fee for services to be rendered by a local health department, except where the imposition of a fee is prohibited by statute or where an employee of the local health department is performing the services as an agent of the State. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, a local board of health may impose cost-related fees for services performed pursuant to Article 11 of this Chapter, "Wastewater Systems," for services performed pursuant to Part 10, Article 8 of this Chapter, "Public Swimming Pools", for services performed pursuant to Part 11, Article 8 of this Chapter, "Tattooing", and for services performed pursuant to G.S. 87-97. Fees shall be based upon a plan recommended by the local health director and approved by the local board of health and the appropriate county board or boards of commissioners. The fees collected under the authority of this subsection are to be deposited to the account of the local health department so that they may be expended for public health purposes in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act. (1901, c. 245, s. 3; Rev., s. 4444; 1911, c. 62, s. 9; C.S., s. 7065; 1957, c. 1357, s.
1; 1959, c. 1024, s. 1; 1963, c. 1087; 1973, c. 476, s. 128; c. 508; 1977, c. 857, s. 2; 1981, c. 130, s. 2; c. 281; c. 949, s. 4; 1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1985, c. 175, s. 1; 1989, c. 577, s. 2; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 944, s. 10; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 670, s. 2; 1995, c. 507, s. 26.8(c); 2006-202, s. 6; 2007-182, s. 2.)

2016 NASPHV Rabies Compendium: Proposed Model Board of Health Rule
Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, 2016

LBOH Rabies Rule Memorandum by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

MACON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH FAIR BOOTH

Board of Health at the Macon 2016 County Fair

CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at >>https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia

Macon County Board of Education
Regular August 2016 Meeting

8/23/2016 01:41:00 AM 2016 Education , Education , local government , Local News , Macon County Board of Education , Macon Media 0 comments

Sketch of the Macon County Board of Education
for August 2016 Regular Meeting

The Macon County Board of Education met on August 22, 2016 for their regular August 2016 meeting at the Central Administrative Offices of the Macon COunty School System. Full video and the supporting documents are embedded below.

The agenda packet is embedded below in the interest of promoting transparency.

Macon Co Board of Education 08-22-2016 by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

Public Comment Requested on Proposed Elk Depredation Rule Changes

8/16/2016 06:21:00 AM elk , hunting , Public Hearing , wildlife 0 comments

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission requests public comment on proposed changes to elk management regulations, 15A NCAC 10B .01.6 (Wildlife Taken for Depredations). A public hearing on the proposed amendment will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8 at the Haywood Community College auditorium, located at 185 Freedlander Drive in Clyde.

The proposed amendment will require a landowner who takes a depredating elk without a Commission-issued depredation permit to report that take to the Commission within 24 hours of the kill. Additionally, a landowner who takes a depredating elk with a Commission-issued depredation permit must report it on the form provided with the permit.

Reports of elk taken in depredation situations will aid Wildlife Commission staff in monitoring the size and composition of North Carolina’s elk herd. Because the elk population in North Carolina is small, it is important to document each mortality to ensure the Commission can base management decisions on the best available data.

The comment period for the proposed regulation will run through Oct. 14, 2016. To see the proposed amendment, visit http://www.ncwildlife.org/Proposed-Regulations. Comments on the proposed changes may be submitted at the public hearing, emailed to regulations@ncwildlife.org or mailed to:

Kate Pipkin
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
1701 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1701

After considering public comment, wildlife commissioners will take action on the proposal at the Wildlife Commission’s business meeting on Oct. 18, 2016. If approved, the amendment would take effect Dec. 1, 2016.

Franklin Town Planning Board August 2016 Meeting
Elections and Special Use Permit for Ingles Markets

8/16/2016 05:42:00 AM Economic Development , Franklin Planning Board , Ingles Markets , Local News , planning 0 comments

The Franklin Planning Board met yesterday afternoon in the lower level of town hall. All members except Peter Mosco and Dave Jones were present. The full video, photos and meeting notes are posted below.

The board elected Tom Harris as Chairman and Janet Greene as Vice Chairman for one year terms. The board then took up the Special Use Permit for 1281 Georgia Road. Ingles Markets has proposed an Ingles Markets Grocery Store, Retail Shops and an I-Market with eight gas pumps for the 13.03 acre property.

The building Ingles wants to place a building 88,928 square feet in size, which is larger than the 30,000 square foot allowed by the current c-3 Zoning District.

Engineers have calculated the site will need 3500 gallons of water per day and will produce 3500 gallons per day for sewer services.

STAFF COMMENTS (taken from planning board documents)

Ingles Markets has applied for a special use permit for a 1303 acres off of Georgia Road. The development is to build a 72,128 square foot grocery store, 14,000 square feet of retail shops and an 8 pump gas station on the site. Because of the development size the UDO (Unified Development Ordinance) requires developments of 30,000 square feet to be rezoned to PCD (Planned Commercial Development).

Ingles Markets have submitted all required plans as required and have included a traffic impact study has also been included by the request of the Land Use Administrator. Parking on the site under strict enforcement would require 461 spaces per the UDO. Ingles Markets has stated this is too many spaces for this site and has requested that number be relaxed. Under section 152.093 (F) Off-street parking parking in the UDO Flexible Administration states that parking standards can be relaxed it it deemed to be far in excess of the need. Ingles Markets has provided data from other stores comparable to the size of this store with peak parking totals. Ingles would like to provide 341 parking spaces for the development. Staff feels this is in reason and can be accepted.

The site has a landscape plan, storm water plan, utility plan, grading plan and lightning plan. A portion of the site is located in the floodplain for Cartoogechaye Creek which they will be requesting to place fill dirt for the parking areas but will not be affecting the floodway for the creek.

Ingles has approached the NCDOT to install a full movement traffic light on the Georgia Road for main access to the site. The NCDOT has stated they will be installing a light to assist with the exiting of the Robert C Carpenter Community Building as well.

A town water line will need to be relocated since the new structure will be built over the current path of the line.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

Town Staff has reviewed the preliminary plans and believes it has met all requirements per Town of Franklin UDO

ZONING REVIEW HISTORY

08-08-2016	Neighborhood Compatibility Meeting
08-15-2016	Special Use Permit
09-06-2016	Sept 2016 Town Board Meeting
09-15-2016	Sept 2016 Town Planning Board Meeting
10-03-2016	Oct 2016 Town Board Meeting

FINDINGS OF FACT

The planning board found that the special use permit met all requirements in the UDO. A copy of the Findings of Fact is posted below for your convenience:

In accordance with Section 153.053 (m) Findings of Fact for Special Use Review in the UDO. No special use permit shall be approved by the Board of Aldermen unless each of the following findings is made.

(a) the use or development is located, designed and proposed to be operated so as to maintain or promote the public health, safety and general welfare.