Providing ample opportunity for the public to engage and participate in the decision-making process by the town board during the pandemic is a top priority. In order to ensure public participation, the following options prior to town board meetings will be available for public comment. These options were developed to allow different technologies to be used ensuring equitable and robust comment opportunities: 

• Email: The public will be allowed to comment by sending written comments to bshores@townofdavidson.org of no more than 400 words via email that will then be read aloud at the meeting. In keeping with the board’s current procedures, only one (1) three-minute of verbal reading will be allowed per email. The deadline to submit by email is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, July 28.
• Phone: The public will be able to call (704)940-9614 and leave a voicemail message in order to provide public comment. These messages will be played during public comment periods, but will be limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by phone is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, July 28.
• Speak Up Online Platform: Prior to each meeting, the town will post a question online via Speak Up here that will allow the public to comment via this method. The comments will be read aloud at the meeting, but limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by Speak Up is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, July 28.
• Social Media: Prior to each meeting, a social media post will solicit any public comment for the upcoming meeting. These comments will be read aloud at the meeting, but limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by social media is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, July 28.

Note: If the same comment is made via multiple methods, only one will be used in the meeting with the voicemail taking first priority. Public comment must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. the day of the virtual meeting.

Villages at South Main Developer Proposal

Villages at South Main Townhomes has proposed the construction of three affordable homes in Downtown Davidson.

The market value of one home is $240,000 (an outside appraisal has been ordered), but the home would be discounted to $170,000. The reduction in price ($70,000) and soft costs would be applied to South Main Square Payment-in-Lieu (PIL), which amounts to $79,650 for 3 units.

For example: Buyer purchases for $170,000, which is a reduction of $70,000. Buyer requires $5,000 in closing costs (soft costs). Total reduction in price plus soft costs is $75,000 per unit ($225,000 for all three townhomes.) Developer contributes $79,650 and the remaining $145,000 would be contributed from other PIL funds. These funds come from other developers and can only be used for affordable housing. A total of 8.5 PILs gets 3 new affordable townhomes in the prime downtown area.

The three homes would be deed restricted and available to households earning up to 80% of the AMI.

Many low to middle income individuals and families who live and/or work in Davidson are unable to purchase or rent a home in town because both home prices and rents are very expensive.  The purpose of this proposed policy is to provide that applicants who live or work in town will be given priority when applying for affordable housing over others who do not have the same connections to town.  This preference will be applicable to housing units built through the Town’s affordable housing program, Town owned homes, and projects that receive a subsidy from the affordable housing (PIL) fund. 

 

DRAFT POLICY:

RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A LOCAL HOUSING PREFERENCE POLICY FOR THE TOWN OF DAVIDSON 

WHEREAS, the Town of Davidson has an affordable housing program that provides housing for individuals and families earning between 50% and 120% of the area median income; and 

WHEREAS, many low to middle income individuals and families who live or work in town cannot afford to live within the town limits; and 

WHEREAS, the Town of Davidson Board of Commissioners wishes to establish a preference for housing applicants who live or work in town. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Board of Commissioners for the Town of Davidson as follows:  

1. First priority will be given to an eligible household with a member who lives and works in town.

2. Second priority will be given to an eligible household with a member who lives or works in town. 

3. The priorities are to be applied to housing units developed pursuant to the town’s inclusionary housing requirements, housing units owned by the town, and housing units that receive a subsidy from the town’s affordable housing fund.  

For purposes of this policy, an applicant will be determined to live with the Town of Davidson if the applicant has lived in the Town of Davidson for three consecutive months or longer. The applicant must produce proof of residency in the town.  This evidence can be a deed, lease, rental agreement, rent receipt, utility bill, or other documentation that indicates residency. 

For purposes of this policy, an applicant will be determined to work in the Town of Davidson if the primary place of employment for at least one member of the applicant’s immediate household is located in the Town of Davidson. If an applicant does not have a fixed place of employment (e.g., delivery personnel, repair persons), but spends at least 50% of his or her time in the Town of Davidson, the applicant will be determined to be employed in town.  

The preference policy shall be applied at both initial occupancy and subsequent sale or rental of affordable housing units.  

This policy is effective as of the date it is adopted.  

Providing ample opportunity for the public to engage and participate in the decision-making process by the town board during the pandemic is a top priority. In order to ensure public participation, the following options prior to town board meetings will be available for public comment. These options were developed to allow different technologies to be used ensuring equitable and robust comment opportunities: 

• Email: The public will be allowed to comment by sending written comments to bshores@townofdavidson.org of no more than 400 words via email that will then be read aloud at the meeting. In keeping with the board’s current procedures, only one (1) three-minute of verbal reading will be allowed per email. The deadline to submit by email is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, April 28.
• Phone: The public will be able to call (704)940-9614 and leave a voicemail message in order to provide public comment. These messages will be played during public comment periods, but will be limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by phone is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, April 28.
• Speak Up Online Platform: Prior to each meeting, the town will post a question online via Speak Up here that will allow the public to comment via this method. The comments will be read aloud at the meeting, but limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by Speak Up is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, April 28.
• Social Media: Prior to each meeting, a social media post will solicit any public comment for the upcoming meeting. These comments will be read aloud at the meeting, but limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by social media is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, April 28.

Note: If the same comment is made via multiple methods, only one will be used in the meeting with the voicemail taking first priority. Public comment must be submitted by
5:00 p.m. the day of the virtual meeting.

On May 12, 2020 at the Davidson Board of Commissioners meeting, Town Manager Jamie Justice and Finance Director Piet Swart initiated the budget approval process by presenting the proposed budget for fiscal year 2020-2021 (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021).

 All budget documents are available on our website at www.townofdavidson.org/budget

 The recommended budget includes

•          General fund budget of $12.4 million, a reduction from last year of 2.4%

•          Stable tax rate at $.29 per $100 valuation

•          No recommended fee increases

•          Appropriate response to COVID-19 pandemic

•          Plan for potential budget adjustment mid-year

•          New capital funding strategy

 

 VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING

Community members are invited to engage during the virtual public hearing scheduled for May 26, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts on the proposed FY 2020-21 Budget.

Article 1A of Chapter 166A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"NCGS§166A-19.24. Remote meetings during certain declarations of emergency (e) Public Hearings. – A public body may conduct any public hearing required or authorized by law during a remote meeting, and take action thereon, provided the public body allows for written comments on the subject of the public hearing to be submitted between publication of any required notice and 24 hours after the public hearing."

In order to ensure public participation, the following options prior to the budget public hearing will be available for public comment. These options were developed to allow different technologies to be used ensuring equitable and robust comment opportunities:

 

• Email: The public will be allowed to participate in the public hearing by sending written comments to bshores@townofdavidson.org of no more than 400 words via email.  If the email is submitted by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, the comments will be read aloud at the meeting. In keeping with the board’s current procedures, only three minutes of verbal reading will be allowed per email. The deadline to submit by email is 6:00 pm on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.
• Phone: The public will be able to call (704)940-9614 and leave a voicemail message in order to provide public comment. These messages will be played during the public hearing period, but will be limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by phone is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.
• Speak Up Online Platform: Prior to the public hearing, the town will post a question online via Speak Up (https://townofdavidson.granicusideas.com/discussions/) that will allow the public to comment via this method. If the comment is submitted by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, the comments will be read aloud at the meeting, but limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by Speak Up is 6:00 pm on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.
• Social Media: Prior to the public hearing, a social media post will solicit any public comment for the hearing. If the comment is submitted by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, the comments will be read aloud at the meeting, but limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by social media is 6:00 pm on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.

 

Note: If the same comment is made via multiple methods, only one will be used in the meeting with the voicemail taking first priority. Written comments for the public hearing must be submitted by 6:00 pm on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 per NCGS§166A-19.24.(e).

Providing ample opportunity for the public to engage and participate in the decision-making process by the town board during the pandemic is a top priority. In order to ensure public participation, the following options prior to town board meetings will be available for public comment. These options were developed to allow different technologies to be used ensuring equitable and robust comment opportunities: 

• Email: The public will be allowed to comment by sending written comments to bshores@townofdavidson.org of no more than 400 words via email that will then be read aloud at the meeting. In keeping with the board’s current procedures, only one (1) three-minute of verbal reading will be allowed per email. The deadline to submit by email is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 26.
• Phone: The public will be able to call (704)940-9614 and leave a voicemail message in order to provide public comment. These messages will be played during public comment periods, but will be limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by phone is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 26.
• Speak Up Online Platform: Prior to each meeting, the town will post a question online via Speak Up here that will allow the public to comment via this method. The comments will be read aloud at the meeting, but limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by Speak Up is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 26.
• Social Media: Prior to each meeting, a social media post will solicit any public comment for the upcoming meeting. These comments will be read aloud at the meeting, but limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by social media is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 26.

Note: If the same comment is made via multiple methods, only one will be used in the meeting with the voicemail taking first priority. Public comment must be submitted by
5:00 p.m. the day of the virtual meeting.

Providing ample opportunity for the public to engage and participate in the decision-making process by the town board during the pandemic is a top priority. In order to ensure public participation, the following options prior to town board meetings will be available for public comment. These options were developed to allow different technologies to be used ensuring equitable and robust comment opportunities: 

• Email: The public will be allowed to comment by sending written comments to bshores@townofdavidson.org of no more than 400 words via email that will then be read aloud at the meeting. In keeping with the board’s current procedures, only one (1) three-minute of verbal reading will be allowed per email. The deadline to submit by email is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 23.
• Phone: The public will be able to call (704)940-9614 and leave a voicemail message in order to provide public comment. These messages will be played during public comment periods, but will be limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by phone is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 23.
• Speak Up Online Platform: Prior to each meeting, the town will post a question online via Speak Up here that will allow the public to comment via this method. The comments will be read aloud at the meeting, but limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by Speak Up is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 23.
• Social Media: Prior to each meeting, a social media post will solicit any public comment for the upcoming meeting. These comments will be read aloud at the meeting, but limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by social media is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 23.

Note: If the same comment is made via multiple methods, only one will be used in the meeting with the voicemail taking first priority. Public comment must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. the day of the virtual meeting.

On June 9, 2020, the Davidson Town Board directed staff to conduct a review of Davidson Police Department policies and procedures to ensure we continue to model best practices in community policing.  The direction included a review and comparison of recommendations from 8 Can’t Wait and President Obama 21st Century Task Force on Policing; and a review of annual police data reporting.

On July 14, 2020, Davidson’s Chief of Police Penny Dunn presented to the board an outline of the above listed project recommendations with a comparative analysis to the Davidson Police Department policies, procedures and operations.  Details on the department’s current application of these concepts in its own policies, procedures, and operations can be viewed through the below links.

Link for presentation recording (here)

Link for PowerPoint (here) 

Chief Dunn also provided an overview of the police department’s annual Biased Based Policing report for the calendar year 2019 data. 

As part of the Davidson Police Department’s commitment to the community to hold themselves to the highest standards, Chief Dunn offered up a list of next steps she and the department intend to take in the coming weeks and months. First among them is to make previous “No Agenda” public meetings with the Chief possible through a virtual platform.  The Davidson Police Department is actively seeking community feedback on the information presented July 14^th.

Please access the above links and watch at your convenience.   We then ask for input through SpeakUp here. Residents may also provide feedback by emailing policeinfo@townofdavidson.org.  We look forward to hearing from you about what we are doing well and what we need to improve upon.

Providing ample opportunity for the public to engage and participate in the decision-making process by the town board during the pandemic is a top priority. In order to ensure public participation, the following options prior to town board meetings will be available for public comment. These options were developed to allow different technologies to be used ensuring equitable and robust comment opportunities: 

• Email: The public will be allowed to comment by sending written comments to bshores@townofdavidson.org of no more than 400 words via email that will then be read aloud at the meeting. In keeping with the board’s current procedures, only one (1) three-minute of verbal reading will be allowed per email. The deadline to submit by email is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, December 8.
• Phone: The public will be able to call (704) 940-9614 and leave a voicemail message in order to provide public comment. These messages will be played during public comment periods, but will be limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by phone is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, December 8.
• Speak Up Online Platform: Prior to each meeting, the town will post a question online via Speak Up here that will allow the public to comment via this method. The comments will be read aloud at the meeting, but limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by Speak Up is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, December 8.
• Social Media: Prior to each meeting, a social media post will solicit any public comment for the upcoming meeting. These comments will be read aloud at the meeting, but limited to three minutes. The deadline to submit by social media is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, December 8.

Note: If the same comment is made via multiple methods, only one will be used in the meeting with the voicemail taking first priority. Public comment must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. the day of the virtual meeting.