The Mayor and Board of Commissioners for the Town of Blowing Rock met in regular session on Tuesday, February 13, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. Present were Mayor J. B. Lawrence, Commissioners Barbara Ball, Terry Lentz, Michael Sweeting, Charles Travis, and Rita Wiseman. Also present were Town Manager Don Holycross, Town Attorney Allen Moseley, Town Engineer Marion Rothrock and Town Clerk Barbara Beach. Other staff members who attended were Director of Public Works Johnny Lentz, Police Chief Owen Tolbert, Building Inspector John Warren, Zoning Officer Wayne Green and Recreation Director Kim Oberle.

Mayor J. B. Lawrence called the meeting to order and welcomed those present. Mrs. Ball made the motion that the minutes of the January 9, 2001 meeting be approved as submitted. Ms. Wiseman seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Holycross introduced Shane Robbins to the Council and the assembly. He is the new Investigator for the Police Department. Mayor Lawrence and the Council welcomed Mr. Robbins to the meeting and to service with the Town.

Mayor Lawrence opened a public hearing to receive comment concerning the application of Henley and Associates to construct a ten-unit condominium building on Little Springs Road. Realtor Sue Glenn and Benjie Thomas, site engineer, were sworn to speak. Each answered questions pertaining to their areas of expertise of the project, and upon motion of Mr. Travis, second by Mr. Sweeting, the public hearing was closed.

Mr. Sweeting made motion that the application be approved, subject to the following conditions: 1) the area lying west of the building and adjacent to Mildred Byrd be re-planted with high quality rhododendron, 2) an encroachment agreement be negotiated with Ms. Byrd, and 3) Council approves a variance in the required screening at the turnaround point of the drive.

Mr. Travis seconded the motion, and all members of the Council voted in favor.

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Planning Board Ms. Wiseman made motion that the following appointments be made to the Planning Board.

Susie Greene – re-appointed to a new three year term ending in 2004

Ron Oberle – re-appointed to a new three year term ending in 2004

Mary Greene – re-appointed to a new three year term ending in 2004

Paul Peterson – re-appointed to a new three year term ending in 2004

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Ball, and unanimously approved by the Council.

Board of Adjustment Mr. Sweeting moved that the following citizens be appointed to the Board of Adjustment.

Mrs. Ball seconded this motion, and all members voted unanimously to approve the action.

ABC Board Mr. Lentz made motion that Bob Hess be re-appointed to a new three year term to end in 2004. Mr. Sweeting seconded the motion, and it was unanimously ratified.

Mark Klein thanked the Mayor and Council, Don Holycross, and the Town Staff for their assistance and support of the work of the Committee. He presented the results of the study to the Board, summarizing each section. The report included an inventory of current parking spaces, an analysis of current parking patterns, and an exploration of pro-jected costs and the impact of various types of strategies to deal with the lack of parking.

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Mr. Klein reported on their investigation of trolley or shuttle systems, installation of parking meters, the construction of a parking deck, and methods to fund these types of projects.

Ms. Wiseman thanked Mr. Klein for the extensive work in preparing a comprehensive report. She recognized each member of the Parking Committee who was present and Mayor Lawrence presented a certificate of appreciation to each one.

Mr. Sweeting reviewed a list of potential solutions that can be accomplished in a relatively short time frame: 1) shuttling Art in the Park vendors to outlying areas to park, 2) erection of more visible parking signs, and 3) encouraging business owners and employees to park off Main Street. Several citizens spoke of their concerns regarding lack of parking and possible solutions.

Mr. Holycross presented a draft ordinance to clarify that the outside display of merchandise in the Central Business District would be prohibited, and the outside display of merchandise in the General Business District would be prohibited except as specifically authorized by the applicable conditional use permit. Mr. Lentz moved that the draft be referred to the Planning Board for their review. Ms. Wiseman seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Holycross reviewed the proposed location for the construction of the Route 221 sidewalk. The sidewalk would be constructed along the south side of Route 221 from Main Street out to Morningside Drive, then over to the north side of Route 221 at Morningside Drive, and then proceed along the north side of Route 221 out to the Bass Lake parking lot. Council members discussed the location, and upon motion of Ms. Wiseman, second by Mr. Travis, they voted unanimously to proceed with this plan.

Mrs. Beach requested approval of a lease purchase agreement with Ford Motor Credit Corporation to fund the purchase of two police cruisers and a dump truck. Council reviewed the terms of the agreement, which includes three annual payments beginning in February 2001. Mr. Travis made motion that the Finance Officer proceed with the contract. Mr. Lentz seconded the motion and it was ratified unanimously.

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Ms. Wiseman moved that the Council convene into closed session by authority of NCGS 143-318.11(5) to consider "proposed …acquisition of real property." Mr. Lentz seconded the motion, and Council members voted unanimously to agree.

Upon reconvening, there was no further business, and Mayor Lawrence adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.

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Town Clerk