In Mary Miller’s brilliant essay on the importance of the Northampton County Comprehensive Plan, she noted the similarity of some introductory paragraphs that appear to be have taken directly from the Northampton County Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) report. From a historical, as well as contextual standpoint, it might be helpful, and interesting to view a snapshot of that committee. Briefly reading the minutes of a meeting that took place on July 26th 2012, sheds light on the mindset that is driving the current comprehensive plan, but for many, may have also influenced the early movement which resulted in the 2015 zoning. At that meeting was Chairman Bill Parr, Vice-Chairman Bill Payne, Pat Coady, Charles Bell, Dick Drury and Billy Moore (other committee members included Butch Bailey, Peter Lawrence and David Long).
At that meeting, Bill Payne gave the committee a briefing of the subcommittee’s meeting with real estate developer Eileen Kirkwood on Thursday, July 19, 2012.
Historically relevant points include the call to hire an Economic Director to bring in more ‘high-tech’ jobs. While the County did hire Mr. McSwain, the high-tech industry did not follow him to Northampton. Also of note, the call to chop up larger parcels into 1/2 acre lots, and at the waterfront; this was/is the desired state to attract more wealthy retirees.
Interestingly, Mr. Parr stated “the heart of the matter is by-right versus special use and/or rezoning. He said the idea is there is low hanging fruit in other places and businesses do not want to go through the rezoning process because it is expensive and time consuming”. Also, Mr. McCoy said he believes in spot-zoning to know where something can go with limited amount of effort.
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