The upcoming meeting of the Moore County Board of Commissioners and the Greater Seven Lakes Community Council [GSLCC] will follow an extended question and answer format, reflected in an agenda for the meeting published by the county on Monday afternoon.
The face-to-face meeting between the two groups -- proposed by the Commissioners in response to the GSLCC's request for a "seat at the table" when the county meets with municipalities -- will be held in the Great Room of the West Side Park community Center on Thursday, August 26, at 5:00 pm. The Council is comprised of the Presidents of the landowners associations in Seven Lakes and McLendon Hills, along with the President of the Seven Lakes Area Business Guild.
Members of the Council posed questions to the county in five areas: Water Issues, Planning and Zoning Concerns, Security Concerns, Incorporation, and Bond Issue. Seven Lakes West Landowners Association [SLWLA] President Ron Shepard will deliver opening comments and lay out the format for the meeting, after which county staff, led by County Manager Cary McSwain, will respond to a range of questions posed by the GSLCC.
The Council has invited landowners association and business guild directors and committee members to the meeting, but has not specifically promoted the event as a public meeting. It is definitely open to the public; it is not clear whether the public will be invited to ask questions or make comments at the end of the county presentations.
The questions submitted by the GSLCC are a mix of big-picture questions and specific concerns.
On water, they have asked for an overview of county activity on water issues in general, as well as specific questions about the pumps that supply water to Seven Lakes and the prospects for sewer service in the community
On planning and zoning, they ask about the de facto "flea market" near the intersection of NC Highway 211 and NC Highway 73 in West End, across from the Exxon station. And they ask whether the county is sensitive to the potential impact of big new developments like the Pine Forest, east for West End, on existing neighborhoods like Seven Lakes.
The GSLCC asks the Commissioners about crime in Seven Lakes and whether the county can do more to help address speeding inside the gates; and they ask a very open-ended question on what has been Seven Lakes' hottest topic this summer: the potential incorporation of the community.
Finally, the Council asks the Commissioners why there will be no bond referendum to seek voter approval for the borrowing needed to fund the new jail and public safety complex planned for Carthage. That's an surprising question from the GSLCC, since it's not a matter that has been much discussed -- if discussed at all -- in recent meetings of the Seven Lakes landowners associations or in letters to The Times.
The GSLCC's Questions, Verbatim
Here's the complete text of the questions the GSLCC posed to the Board of Commissioners:
A. Water Issues: Please provide an update on Water and Sewage. We would be interested in knowing what is going on in the county with respect to water issues in general, and more specifically, with respect to Seven Lakes? Is there anything our communities need to do or be aware of with respect to our water needs? At this point in time, what are your top priorities for supplying water to Seven Lakes? With respect to the pumps, are they large enough to meet the Seven Lakes area needs? What about sewage capabilities for Seven Lakes -- is it feasible? What options are there for providing sewers, and would the county have any responsibility for providing them? Are there any studies currently being done with respect to providing sewers to those communities in Moore County that need them, and if so, what is the status of those studies?
B. Planning and Zoning Concerns: Is there anything that can be done with respect to the “flea market area” across from the Exxon station on the corner of Route 211 and Route 73 in West End where vendors set up shop selling everything from fishing rods, boots, to steaks, etc.? Is this permitted? Do they need a license to do this? Do they pay taxes on income from sales? Who has control over what is permissible on this section of land? Who should you call if you have a complaint?
What is the status of the four or five new communities that are currently under consideration in Moore County? Concerns voiced in the Seven Lakes area have included the following:
• Is there a need for these developments given the fact that 175+ homes are already for sale in our area?
• What will be the environmental effect of these developments?
• What effect will they have on current water supplies? There have been rumors to the effect that if the Pine Forest development is approved, it would receive the good quality water that the Seven Lakes area currently enjoys, and Seven Lakes would then receive poorer quality water from Montgomery County. Do the developers have to pay for any additional capacity required due to their projects?
C. Security Concerns: We greatly appreciate the Sheriff’s office talking with us last fall and would appreciate an update on criteria for the determination of how coverage is provided by the Sheriff’s Department. How does crime in the Seven Lakes areas compare with crime in other areas of the county? What factors determine why crime is more prevalent in one area than another? Speeding is a significant problem in the Seven Lakes communities. It is estimated that only 8% of the residents obey the speed limit. Is there anything that can be done to enforce our speed limits?
D. Incorporation: What are your thoughts, suggestions or concerns with respect to incorporating the Seven Lakes communities?
E. Bond Issue: As concerned taxpayers, we would like to know why we are not going to be permitted to vote on the bond issue to pay for the new jail facility?
