Smithfield
Town Council report from Nov. 9 session |
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Council members present: Mayor Pro Tem John Dunn, David Barbour, Marlon Lee, Steve Rabil, Travis Scott
Absent: Mayor Andy Moore, David Stevens, Roger Wood
SMALL-LOT SUBDIVISION, PHASE 2, OK'd DOWNTOWN
The council approved the second phase of a residential subdivision on vacant land at the intersection of South Sixth and East Johnston streets a short walk from the Downtown business district. TerraEden Landscape & Design, a firm headed by former town planning director Paul Embler, petitioned for conditional zoning that will allow smaller-than-standard lots. Phase 2, northeast of the intersection, will have six single-family houses on 0.68 of an acre. Phase 1, approved last May, will have 10 houses southeast of the intersection. The average lot size in Phase 2 will be 3,770 square feet; the average house size will be 1,290 square feet. The council heard no objections to the rezoning at Tuesday's public hearing.
ANOTHER TOWNHOUSE PROJECT IN WEST SMITHFIELD
The council approved conditional zoning for a six-unit townhouse project proposed by TerraEden Landscape & Design on Britt Street at its intersection with Market Street (US 70 Business) in West Smithfield. Those units will be contained in two triplex structures to be built on 0.69 of an acre. The council heard no objections to the rezoning during a public hearing.
RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPING STANDARDS ADOPTED
With a 4-1 vote, the council approved landscaping standards for new single-family houses and townhouses that Planning Director Stephen Wensman said are in line with what the town requires for residential subdivisions as well as commercial projects. Councilman Barbour cast the lone dissenting vote. "I don't want to violate their freedoms," he said, referring to individual homeowners. In response to a question from Mayor Pro Tem Dunn, Mr. Wensman said homeowners could remove required shrubbery put in by a contractor once they move in. The town's Planning Board had endorsed the new standards, he added. No objections to the new rules were voiced by the public during Tuesday's hearing.
SITE PLAN FOR POLICE STATION'S EXPANSION APPROVED
The council approved conditional zoning for town-owned property just south of the police station on Fifth Street to allow for an addition to the building as well as an expanded parking lot connecting to another town parking lot off Fourth Street beside the Fire Station. The project will add 3,800 square feet to the existing police station, which has about 8,000 square feet. The council heard no objections to the zoning change during a public hearing.
FULL-TIME FIRE MARSHAL'S POSITION RESTORED
The council approved recruitment of a full-time fire marshal as requested by the town's new fire chief, Michael Brown, who pointed out that the position had been eliminated some years ago because of budgetary constraints. He said restoration of the job is needed to keep up with rising demands for fire inspections. The town had sought in recent months, without success, to employ two part-time inspectors to do that work. Funding budgeted for those positions should be adequate to meet the cost of a full-time fire marshal, Town Manager Scott noted. The advertised salary range is $55,557-$86,113.
TOWN COMMONS LANDSCAPING PROJECT OK'd
The council approved a $22,083 contract with GroundsOne Landscape Contractors of Garner to complete a landscaping plan along the Town Commons from the Neuse River boat ramp to the old Boy Scout hut at the foot of Bridge Street. The plan was developed by the town's Appearance Commission working with landscape architect Clayton Narron and the town's Parks & Recreation Department, which is responsible for maintaining the area.
NEW VEHICLE BOUGHT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
The council approved purchase of a 2022 Chevrolet Suburban SUV for the Fire Department from Modern Chevrolet of Winston-Salem under a state contract for $45,419.
NEW TIMING SYSTEM FOR SRAC'S COMPETITION POOL
The council approved purchase of a replacement timing system for the pool at the Recreation & Aquatics Center from Colorado Time Systems for $7,862.50 – just under the $7,900 budgeted by the town.
WATER-PLANT JANITORIAL SERVICES CONTRACT
The council approved a contract with Arena's Cleaning Service of Clayton to provide high-level janitorial services at the town's water-treatment plant at a monthly cost of $550 – $6,600 a year.
APPOINTMENTS TO SEVERAL LOCAL BOARDS
The council approved the following:
• Brett Renfrow, a retired fireman, newly appointed to the Smithfield Firemen's Relief Board.
• Katie Smith newly appointed to the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation's board. A resident of Smithfield, she is employed as senior advisor and field director for Congressman David Rouzer.
• Alisa Bizzell reappointed to the town's Planning Board as well as the Recreation Advisory Committee.
• Mike Fleming reappointed as the town's representative on the Johnston County Economic Development Advisory Board.
PERMITS APPROVED FOR TWO SPECIAL EVENTS
The council approved permits for:
• Gospel in the Park, from 3 till 5 p.m. Saturday, November 20 at Smith-Collins Park (requested by Betty Johnson).
• LBJ's Giving, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24 till 1:30 a.m. at the Little Brown Jug on Market Street beside the river (requested by owners Andrew and Erika Wagner).