Chatham puts off moratorium hearing

New meeting set for tonight at 6:30

PITTSBORO -- Chatham County residents formed a long line Monday night to get on the list to speak about a proposed yearlong moratorium on residential development.

But just after they took their seats in the packed courtroom, the Chatham County commissioners announced they were postponing the moratorium hearing until tonight at 6:30.

That's because the board wanted to end their meeting by 10 p.m., said Commissioners Chairman Carl Thompson. And with nine public hearings on the agenda, including one on the budget and the moratorium, the board knew it couldn't be done.

"After 10 o'clock in the evening, people get batty," Thompson told the crowd, which was not pleased with the board's decision.

Frank Thompson of the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties, raised his hand from the middle of the room and asked if it was legal for the board to move a public hearing it had advertised weeks in advance for Monday night.

The board's interim attorney, Jep Rose, answered, saying the board could recess the meeting until Tuesday.

Dozens of people got up to leave after the board voted to continue the meeting, and some expressed frustration.

"I just want an opportunity to speak before the board," said Chris Sinclair of Triangle Community Coalition, who had come to speak against the moratorium. "But if there's rules, stick to the rules."

Thomas, who is also against the moratorium, said he had come prepared to stay until 1 a.m. and questioned the board's motives.

"They chose to put [the moratorium public hearing] last on the agenda," he said. "They knew this was going to be a long night."

Beth Kricker, who passed out stickers in favor of the moratorium before the meeting, said she was displeased with the board's decision but didn't think it was underhanded.

"The decision to postpone may be OK, but it's disturbing to people because this decision is going to affect people for a very long time," she said.