W. TERRY SMITH
One woman thanked the elected representatives. Another seemed disappointed in the 10 men.
Welcome to Tarboro Town Council’s monthly meeting Monday night.
Jeana Webb Braswell of a Panola Street address thanked council members profusely during discussion about the amendment to the town’s Unified Development Ordinance that prohibits adult businesses from downtown.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Braswell, who organized a protest in front of the store on March 8. “I appreciate you standing with me and the people of Tarboro.”
Dylan Anderson of a Howard Avenue address also came forward and thanked the council for the ordinance that restricts adult entertainment or sexually orientated business.
“Somebody will have to do a lot of research (to find out where they can locate an adult establishment), “ Councilman Steve Hoard said. “Then where they are, they won’t be able to make a living.”
The council unanimously adopted an ordinance that restricts adult businesses to areas zoned I-1 (limited industrial district) or I-2 (general industrial district) and requires 1,000 feet between the establishment and a school, day care, churches, residences, nursing homes, park, playground, library, etc.
The ordinance does not conflict with North Carolina laws regarding pornographic materials but regulates it.
Betty NeSmith, the founder of Grassroots of Tarboro that has pulled off two successful 2nd Saturdays in the last four weeks, asked council for permission to use Courthouse Square and River Front Park for 2nd Saturday events from June until December.
NeSmith learned she was seeking an exception to town ordinances, in which use of the town properties requires special events permit, a million-dollar liability insurance policy (a $500 premium for the day) and a $500 refundable deposit to cover cleanup, if necessary.
She was also told it would have to be on a month-to-month basis to allow other organizations the opportunity to utilize the facilities.
“I think we have to stay with the ordinance,” Councilman Danny Hayes said.
“The same as any organization,” Mayor Donald Morris added.
Later, NeSmith said she was disappointed because she had hoped the town might co-sponsor the event.
“I think the wording, calling it an exception threw ’em,” she said. “We just wanted permission.”
She also indicated that her group would try to come up with the $500 insurance premium.
Town Manager Sam Noble suggested working with the Chamber of Commerce, but during questioning by Hoard, NeSmith said she was not a member of the Chamber. She said her store, The Unusual Shoppe at 108 E. Pitt St., could not afford the $250 membership fee.
“We’re just getting started,” she said several times. “We’re trying to promote Tarboro and bring people downtown. Any guidance you can give us, we appreciate.”
In other business, Town Council unanimously agreed:
• To rezone 2.4 acres on River Oaks Drive from I-2 (general industrial) to B-3 (general commercial) to make way for a Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse behind Wendy’s Hamburgers and across the street from Wal-Mart. Lowe’s plans to build a 66,000 square foot proto type store there. It may employ more than 100 people. The town planning board had recommended approval because it is consistent with the Land Use Plan, Planner Troy Lewis said.
• To deny a request by Wayne Avenue residents to install traffic control devices. One hundred percent of the property owners signed a petition requesting speed bumps, but the Residential Traffic Management Plan for Speed and Traffic requires a traffic and speed count did not meet the criteria necessary. Councilman Steve Hoard requested each property owner receive the 27 pages of traffic reports that showed no vehicle exceeding the speed limit.
• To piggyback on a contract between Altec Industries and the City of Danville, Va., to spend $150,106 to purchase a 55-foot hydraulic articulating non-over Center Aerial Device for the electric department.
• Amend the budget to upgrade portable radios. The town has rebanded one of its radio frequencies through Sprint/Nextel and will received 40 replacement radios from Nextel. But $70,000 was need to upgrade the replacement radio along with 40 current portable radio and two radios at the Howard Avenue Fire Station that backup the primary system. This gives the town interoperability with the N.C. Highway Patrol and other agencies in case of an emergency or natural disaster.
• Amend the budget to replace the cracked heat exchanger at E.L. Roberson Center. The town has $3,224 grant money available and allocated the remaining $6,276 needed for the new $9,500 unit.
• To accept a change order in connection with a paving contract with Barnhill Contracting Co. that returned $9,300 to the town.
• To approve a resolution honoring community leader Minnie Lou Creech, who passed away March 9.
