MINUTES OF MAY MONTHLY MEETING WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY 6TH MAY 2008 IN THE TOWN HALL, WATERGATE STREET, NAVAN, CO. MEATH.
Cllr. C. Reilly presided
Present: Cllrs. T. Reilly, P. Fitzsimons, S. Cassells, P. Toibin, J. Reilly, J. Holloway and J. Duffy
Officials: Mr. Eugene Cummins, Town Manager
Mr. Jimmy Young, Acting Town Clerk
Ms. Fiona Fallon, Town Engineer
Ms. Wendy Bagnall, Senior Planner
Mr. Fergal O’Bric, Executive Planner
Ms. Audrey Norris, Staff Officer
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
On the proposal of Cllr. J. Reilly seconded by Cllr. S. Cassells the minutes of the April monthly meeting held on Tuesday 8th April 2008 at 7.30 pm in the Town Council Chamber, Townhall, Watergate St, Navan, Co Meath were adopted by the members.
TO RESOLVE TO AMEND THE STANDING ORDERS OF NAVAN TOWN COUNCIL
The members resolved to amend the Standing Orders of Navan Town Council which had been forwarded to them with the Agenda on the proposal of Cllr. J. Reilly and seconded by Cllr. P. Fitzsimons.
TO RESOLVE TO FILL BY CO-OPTION THE CASUAL VACANCY WHICH HAS ARISEN ON NAVAN TOWN COUNCIL FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF COUNCILLOR ANDY BRENNAN (R.I.P.)
On the proposal of Cllr. P. Fitzsimons and seconded by Cllr. S. Cassells the members resolved to fill by co-option the casual vacancy and it was resolved that Philip Brennan fill the casual vacancy which has arisen on Navan Town Council following the death of Cllr. Andy Brennan (R.I.P.)
TO RESOLVE TO FILL BY ELECTION, THE CASUAL VACANCY WHICH HAS OCCURRED IN THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MAYOR OF NAVAN TOWN COUNCIL FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF COUNCILLOR ANDY BRENNAN (R.I.P.)
It was resolved to fill by election the casual vacancy which has occurred in the office of the Deputy Mayor of Navan Town Council following the death of Cllr. Andy Brennan (R.I.P.) and on the proposal of Cllr. T. Reilly and seconded by Cllr. C. Reilly, Philip Brennan was elected to fill the casual vacancy.
Cllr. Philip Brennan, Deputy Mayor of Navan Town Council paid tribute to his father the late Cllr. Andy Brennan. He thanked his proposers and the members of Navan Town Council for electing him. He reflected on how Andy was a great father and grandfather and he took pride in being an Independent Councillor. Phil vowed that he would do his best to continue the Fairgreen project and to erect a memorial for deceased Tara Mines workers. He thanked the County Manager, Town Manager, Town Clerk and Staff of Navan Town Council for their Guard of Honour on the day of the funeral and he thanked the people of Navan for their good wishes.
The members and Manager each welcomed Philip to the Council and said it was a proud day for his family and friends. They said they had paid tribute to his father Andy at a special meeting and any help and co-operation would be given to Phil as he takes his seat.
CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS
The members received and noted correspondence from Roberto Pasquali, Mayor of Bobbio and Padraic Lynch Meath Association of London conveying their condolences on the death of Cllr. Andy Brennan to his family and members of Navan Town Council.
Correspondence from D. Scully – Regional Planning Guidelines Officer for the Dublin and Mid East Authorities
The members received and noted correspondence in respect of the Review of the Greater Dublin Area Retail Strategy – Draft Public Consultation.
The members raised the following issues:-
· They would like to be aware and be briefed on the positives and negatives of this document on the town.
· They have concerns as to why we are being penalised in this county with planning particularly on the N3.
· Does it restrict us until 2016 the way we discuss development plan.
· Does the plan have to go to all Local Authorities.
· Will there be invitations in the media for retailers in Navan.
· Proposed to bring this document to the June meeting.
The Senior Planner responded that:-
q In relation to briefing, the planners would be able to extract pieces relative to Navan and present to members. In relation to restriction until 2016 – she advised that this is a draft and would be useful for the members to get a briefing of the draft, she advised that Navan is still a primary area.
q In relation to document being presented to other Local Authorities the Senior Planner advised that it would have to.
q In relation to invitations in the media for retailers in Navan, the Senior Planner advised that she would get confirmation of this from D. Scully, RPGO.
The members received and noted correspondence in relation to Thomas Hodgett former Postmaster in Navan. It was noted that this related to a Notice of Motion brought forward by Cllr. P. Toibin at the March monthly meeting of the Council where Cllr. Toibin indicated that he would submit further information on the history of Mr. Hodgett.
It was agreed by the members that a memorial plaque would be erected at Poolboy Bridge.
To receive a presentation on Proposed Variation No 1 of the Navan Development Plan 2003-2009. Proposed Variation No. 1 relates to lands located in Abbeyland South, north of Navan town centre and proposes the following zoning changes:
· 1.32 1 ha currently zoned F1 “To provide for and improve open space for active and passive recreational amenities”, proposed to be zoned C1 “To provide for and facilitate mixed residential and business uses in existing mixed use central business areas.”
· 3.35 ha currently zoned D1 To provide for visitor and tourist facilities and associated uses”, proposed to be zoned C1 “To provide for and facilitate mixed residential and business uses in existing mixed use central business areas.”
· 0.465 ha currently zoned G1 “to provide for necessary community, recreational and educational facilities” proposed to be zoned C1 “To provide for and facilitate mixed residential and business uses in existing mixed use central business areas.”
and if thought fit to resolve to place this variation on public display in accordance with Section 13 of the Planning & Development Act 2000.
The members received and noted a presentation from the Senior Planner Wendy Bagnall on the proposed variation No. 1 of the Navan Development Plan 2003-2009.
The members raised the following issues:-
· The members felt that the maps displayed were totally inadequate and should be on a bigger scale.
· The members would like the blackwater river enhanced and at the centre of the development.
· The members expressed the importance of bringing the 2 listed buildings Spicers Mill and Blackwater House into the plan.
· What ratio of usage would be used.
· The members queried if the entrance to the public park was part of this development.
· The members are confident Meath County Council will produce a signature building of excellence and would like assurance that other buildings in this development will be of as high a quality.
The Senior Planner, Wendy Bagnall replied as follows:-
q The maps that will go on public display will be large AO maps.
q The Planning Department are very keen to re-use the protected structures as part of plan.
q That she has utter confidence that Meath County Council will have a signature building of excellence and the private buildings will follow in the same way.
q The AAP give strong guidance of the placing of the river.
q The corporate HQ will include the delivery of pedestrian bridge into the park.
q The members were advised that AAPI has been completed and will be presented at the June meeting.
On the proposal of Cllr. T. Reilly and seconded by Cllr. S. Cassells it was resolved by the members to place this variation on public display in accordance with Section 13 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.
TO CONSIDER REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH PART VIII OF THE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2001 - 2007 FOR THE PROVISION OF AN ESB SUB STATION, TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS AT COUNTY HALL, RAILWAY STREET, NAVAN, CO. MEATH.
On the proposal of Cllr. T. Reilly and seconded by Cllr. C. Reilly it was agreed by the members to adopt the Part VIII report as presented.
TO CONSIDER REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH PART VIII OF THE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2001-2007 IN RESPECT OF THE MARKET SQUARE & WATERGATE STREET IMPROVEMENT WORKS TOGETHER WITH ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS ETC, LOCATED WITHIN THE NAVAN TOWN CENTRE ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA, AT MARKET SQUARE/WATERGATE ST, NAVAN, CO. MEATH.
The members received and noted a presentation from Fergal O’Bric, Executive Planner on Part VIII of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001-2007 in respect of the Market Square & Watergate Street improvement works together with all associated site works etc, located within the Navan town centre architectural conservation area, at Market Square/Watergate St, Navan, Co. Meath.
The members raised the following issues:-
¨ A submission was made by Cllr. J. Holloway and he has concerns that his submission was not included and would like it included.
¨ The members welcomed that the core of the plan is to enhance the main shopping area of the town and to protect old streets.
¨ The members hope the works encourage high class buildings in town.
¨ They noted a submission from Hickeys and advised that it was very important to keep them informed and have consultation with traders in the area.
¨ The members proposed the works are phased.
¨ The members had concerns about the location of the pedestrian crossing and proposed it was moved further up the street.
¨ The members asked the question “what is the balance between local authority car parking and private sector.
¨ The members expressed a strong view that Watergate Street was been narrowed by 1.4m but there were no alternative routes for traffic. How do we plan to deal with this.
¨ The members proposed that Watergate Street should become a taxi area after 6pm.
¨ They said there should be allocated time on loading bays and not 8am-6pm.
¨ The members advised that Navan Town Council should explore the possibility of car parking spaces in the town, possibly joint agreements to cover the loss of spaces on Market Square and Watergate Street.
¨ The members expressed concerns that the erection of the bull sculpture will cause anti social behaviour and graffiti.
¨ Parking space markings should not be same as on Kennedy Place.
¨ Could erect a plaque re history of films made in Watergate Street and area.
¨ Businesses will benefit from development.
¨ On street businesses cannot take closure of roads for long periods of time.
¨ Traffic Management Plan is crucial for business.
The Manager and Executive Planner replied as follows:-
§ Timeframe will include a start date and completion date on the works.
§ There has been extra off street car parking provided in recent years.
§ They agreed that it was very important to liase with local businesses.
§ The M3 should take a lot of traffic from the town and the NIRR2B will free up traffic around the town.
§ Submission made by Cllr. J. Holloway was received and was considered by the PA.
§ The Manager said the proposal to make Watergate Street a taxi area after 6pm was a good idea.
§ The Manager said there were no plans to close streets at present, a method statement has to be carried out by contractor but that certain works will warrant closure.
§ The Manager replied that in terms of loss of car parking spaces we would consider proposals upon receipt of same.
On the proposal of Cllr. S. Cassells seconded by Cllr. T. Reilly it was agreed by the members to adopt the Part VIII report as presented.
TO FIX A DATE FOR THE HOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING OF NAVAN TOWN COUNCIL
It was noted by the A Town Clerk, Jimmy Young that an amendment of the Standing Orders had been adopted earlier in the meeting by the members to hold the Annual Meeting on the third Tuesday of June in every year other than a year in which a local election takes place. The members agreed that this years meeting therefore would take place on 17th June, 2008 at 7.30pm.
NOTICES OF QUESTION
Notice of Question – Cllr. Tommy Reilly
“What is the up to date position regarding AAP for Johnstown with reference to sporting, educational and community facilities.”
The members received the following response from the Senior Planner in response to the above question.
The Planning Department have met with the landowners and are in talks with the Department of Education. There are a lot of community issues in Johnstown. The AAP for Johnstown is zoned in 3 ways, open space, residential and community.
The members asked could the Council de-zone the land and the Senior Planner replied that there are provisions in the Planning & Development Act to de-zone land.
Notice of Question – Cllr. John Duffy
“Can the Manager inform members of the current position regarding the link road from N3 to R161 (Trim Rd). Has the Council engaged in a CPO process? Regarding its construction, stated policy in the past was that of developer driven, is this still the case?”