Tamara Ward/Holly Springs Sun The Holly Springs United boys soccer team, which won a gold medal at the state games this year, was recognized at the July17 council meeting.

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A post-closure master plan for South Wake Landfill property was presented to the Holly Springs Town Council at its July 17 meeting, and the council approved refinancing most of its current debt for an expected savings of about $7 million.

In the landfill discussion, county officials gave a presentation about what could be done with the 833 acres of landfill property now and when the landfill closes in about 35 years. Most of the property is located west of the NC 55 bypass below the future I-540 corridor although 60 acres are located between the bypass and N. Main St.

“We’re 20 years ahead of the game, planning for the future,” said Councilman Tim Sack, who joined the citizens landfill committee.

An emphasis was given on using the land for energy technologies. Such technologies could include converting landfill gas to energy, using the land to collect solar energy, growing bio-fuel crops, and converting waste to energy. County staff said they are keeping an eye on emerging technologies, such as incorporating solar panels into the liner of the landfill.

Other portions of the property could be used for recreation, athletic fields, greenway trails, habitat protection and conservation buffers.

Some of the landfill property is ready to be developed now; other sections of the property will not be ready to be used until the landfill closes.

The property is to continue to host a convenience center for locals dropping off trash.

Also at the meeting, while town moves forward with borrowing $9 million for parks and recreation, the council approved refinancing most of the town’s existing debt by bundling the debt and also selling it as bonds. The town expects a savings of about $7 million, and the bonds would be sold at the end of October.

The savings will be gained by reducing interest rates and shortening some debts, said a representative from Davenport and Company, LLC, the business the council approved paying $250,000 for bond analysis work. Costs for the work are factored into the expected savings.

Also at the meeting, the council recognized the Holly Springs United boys soccer team. In its competition in the state games, the team has won two gold medals in past few years, including one this year.

“They represented the town of Holly Springs with character and virtue,” Mayor Dick Sears said.

The council approved tabling votes to fill two openings on the town’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. One member’s term expired, and current member Ken Henke resigned his position on the committee.

As part of the consent agenda, the council entered into an inter-local agreement with Wake County Emergency Management for reverse 911 notifications. A free service, the reverse 911 notifications will provide automated calling in emergencies, a town document said. Such emergencies include water emergencies and crime and evacuation alerts. The council also adopted a $180,000 budget amendment to allocate grant and street reserve funds for the Avent Ferry Rd. widening design project and approved a $21,078 contract for paving an entrance drive for a picnic shelter at Bass Lake Park.

The council expressed interest in allowing a member of the mayor’s youth advisory board to sit with the council at a meeting. The proposal was voiced by Councilwoman Cheri Lee.

At a public meeting before the regularly scheduled council meeting, council members gave feedback about where and how to locate apartment complexes in town. The council gave direction to allow high density development, above 15 units per acre, at four areas within town.

The four areas are located around New Hill Place, at the Southern gateway near Walmart, at the northeastern gateway to the town by the future I-540 and Kildaire Farm Rd. intersection, and by the Friendship Site in the proposed future northwest area of town near US 1.

“The goal is to focus as much density as we can in those few areas so we don’t get sprawling apartment requests throughout town,” said Gina Clapp, town Planning and Zoning director.

A few areas off Cass Holt Rd. and Piney Grove Wilbon are proposed for 8 units per acre.

Proposed amendments to the town’s comprehensive plan and unified development ordinance were to be presented to the town Planning Board earlier this week. A public hearing about the proposed amendments and possible action will occur at the council’s second meeting in August.