The Blowing Rock Planning and Zoning Board met on Thursday, April 18, 2002. Chairperson Susie Greene called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Members present were Bill Parker, Dennis Quinn, Jim West, Albert Yount, Ron Oberle, Paul Peterson, George Snyder, David Cox and Mary Greene. Cobb Milner was absent. Staff present were Kevin Rothrock, Planning Director, Marion Rothrock, Town Engineer, Don Holycross, Town Manager and Sonya Long, Administrative Assistant.

Mr. Peterson made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted, seconded by Mr. Parker. All were in favor of the motion.

Mr. Kevin Rothrock read the staff report. He reported that Carolina West Wireless was requesting a Conditional Use Permit to erect a 50-foot tall cell tower monopole behind Food Lion in the Blowing Rock Square Shopping Center located at 7533 Valley Blvd. He stated that Carolina West planned to lease .18 acres in the north west corner of the Food Lion property. A nine (9) foot high, solid, wooden fence will surround the compound. An equipment cabinet will also be located inside the leased area with sufficient space provided for future carriers.

The proposed landscaping will include two (2) Maples and six (6) Rhododendrons in the landscape islands. Four (4) Hemlocks will replace the existing White Pines that will be lost in the construction. Mr. Rothrock went on to explain that the monopole would be painted brown to blend into the hillside vegetation. The tower is proposed to have no guy wire supports nor will it be lit or have any continuous or intermittent lights. The tower is also designed to withstand wind speeds of 100 mph and ½ inch solid radial ice loads. All antennas will be located inside the tower monopole and will not be visible from the outside. Mr. Rothrock stated that the applicant is proposing one (1) additional co-location carrier on the tower.

Mr. Mike McQuillen, representative for Carolina West Wireless was present. He stated the property was located in the northwest corner of the Food Lion Shopping Center. The proposed tower will be a 50-foot steel monopole, painted brown, with all antennas located inside. The second carrier antennas will also be inside the monopole. Mr. McQuillen stated that the tower would not be lit and the only signs would be the name of the owner and emergency numbers. Located inside the compound would be Carolina West equipment and any future equipment. Landscaping will consist of two islands near the compound, and hemlocks in the rear of the compound. Mr. McQuillen stated that there had been some concern over the lack of landscaping

in the front of the compound. He explained that due to a storm drain in the front of the compound, they would not be able to plant that area. Mr. McQuillen stated that they could include some landscaping in that area but the monopole would have to be moved back and due to the setbacks that would not be an option. If the compound were shifted north, they would be disturbing trees and other existing landscaping. The only way you would see the compound is to drive to the rear of the shopping center. The equipment inside the compound will not be visible due to the 9-foot fence that will go around the entire compound.

Mr. Quinn had questions regarding the coverage maps that were included in the packets and if there was a Master Plan for future coverage. Mr. Rankhorn, with Carolina West Wireless, stated that they were looking at the area around the Green Park Inn but that area was to close to the Caldwell County boundary. At this point they are focusing on covering the main town area. Mr. Quinn asked about additional carries. Mr. Rankhorn stated they have been in contact in with Verizon Wireless and they were very interested in this area.

The Board addressed interference from the monopole and how Carolina West would correct that problem. Mr. Rankhorn stated towers, cable, and TV antennas are on different frequencies, which allows for no interference. He also explained that the equipment used is state of the art and uses the best filters.

Mr. Quinn had questions about testing the site for radiation. Mr. John McMillan, Carolina West representative, stated that there was a 50-foot minimum standard according to FCC and they meet that standard, therefore they are not required to test the site once in operation.

Mr. Parker addressed some concerns over safety, electromagnet interference and aesthetics. He stated he would like to see Carolina West Wireless go to the nearest adjacent property line and test the FCC standards so that some of the concerns from the adjoining property owners could be addressed. Mr. McMillan stated that the engineers on the project had been contacted and they have produced some calculations and would be able to provide the Board with that information.

Mr. Parker questioned the aesthetics of the tower and if a tree tower had been considered. Mr. McQuillen stated due to the cost difference, they were not considering a tree tower. The difference being $100,000 compared to $30,000. Mr. Rankhorn also pointed out that with the tree tower the antennas would not be inside the tower and it requires more separation between the different carriers. Mr. Parker stated that in the letter from the adjoining property owner Mr. Rapp, Charter Communications, local cable company stated there would be some interference from the tower. Mr. Rankhorn stated that Charter Communications should produce the documentation showing this information.

The Board pointed out that Verizon has a site located off of Flat Top Road and that they have been asked to vacate the property. They questioned if Carolina West Wireless had looked at that site. Mr. McMillan stated that site had been taken to court and zoned non-commercial, therefore they would not be allowed to locate on that site.

Mr. Oberle asked questions regarding health risk and if Carolina West would be testing the site once the tower was in place for such risk. Mr. McMillan stated if required by the Town they would.

Mr. Wayne Green stated the engineers for the project had submitted certified plans. He went on to say that the questions regarding the specifications of the tower by the Board had no relevance. He suggested that the Board bring in an interpreter if they could not understand the plans or specifications by the engineers.

Mr. Al Rapp, adjacent property owner on Westview Drive was present to speak. He stated that on December 20, 2001, the applicant proposed the tower on the new corner. This site would be better if the directional antenna’s were away from the residents in that area. Mr. Rapp explained that he believed that there would be some low-level radiation from that tower. He would like to see the tower placed where fewer people would be affected now and later. Mr. Rapp stated there had been no comprehensive survey submitted showing the testing of other sites in Blowing Rock.

Mr. Rapp suggested to the Board that if they were to recommend approval of the tower, he would like to see the following items added to the Conditional Use Permit. For any carrier wishing to be located in Blowing Rock and are permitted by the Town Code and the Telecommunications Act, state clearly if interference is detected the Conditional Use Permit will automatically be revoked. Mr. Rapp pointed out that he had recorded his channels on video so that it would be easy to detect interference.

Mr. Rapp also suggested that the Conditional Use Permit require a record of all the specifications on the antennas and require that it be updated if any changers should occur and this information be kept in the Planning and Inspections office. Regarding the aesthetics of the tower, Mr. Rapp suggested a tree tower be required. He stated that there are other pine stealth tree towers available and some companies would custom make one. Mr. Rapp added that in order to protect the town and property values, the applicant must provide a good quality stealth tree tower.

Mr. Cox questioned why the different telecommunication companies can not get together to provide coverage on one tower that may already exist. Mr. Rankhorn stated that most of the carriers have their own engineer departments and they have different spacing for their antennas than Carolina West. Mr. Cox did point out that nothing stops other companies coming before the Board asking for the same thing later.

In favor of the motion were Mr. Parker, Mr. Quinn, Mr. West, Mr. Peterson, Mr. Snyder, Mr. Cox and Mrs. Mary Greene. Opposing the motion were Mr. Yount and Mr. Oberle. Motion passes.

Mr. Rothrock stated that Mr. Hyett, owner of the Inn at Ragged Gardens, was requesting a Conditional Use Permit to add a 40 to 50 seat restaurant to an existing bed and breakfast inn. Mr. Hyett also requested a waiver from any additional parking spaces that may be required.

Mr. Rothrock reported that in Inn currently serves breakfast to its guest. Dinner is occasionally served for special occasions, wedding receptions, parties, etc. The existing dinning room seats 30. The applicant would like to add an additional 10 to 20 seats to the dining room and offer dinner to the public. The kitchen and wine cellar would also be expanded as part of the request.

The applicant will be responsible for providing storm water detention for any additional impervious areas created by the construction. Currently approximately 500 square feet of impervious area is being added. Mr. Rothrock did point out that Mr. Hyett might be able to avoid detention requirements if he can provide 500 square feet of green space area elsewhere on site.

Mr. Oberle had questions regarding the additional parking spaces needed. Mr. Rothrock stated that the calculations were not submitted and that he did not know at that time.

Mr. Hyett was present to speak for the project. He stated that he would continue to serve breakfast to his guest only, and was not planning on serving lunch. Mr. Cox stated he had concerns over the amount of employee parking Mr. Hyett would need, not necessarily the guest for the Bed and Breakfast or the restaurant. He pointed out that the employees usually took the best parking spaces available. Mr. Hyett stated that he would have 3 full time employees and 5-10 part time employees. He explained that the employees usually park in the Maple Street pubic lot or on site.

Mr. Peterson asked questions about the detention and what was planned. Mr. Hyett stated that they would be installing the detention in the grass area with underground detention system.

Mr. West did suggest that the motion be amended to include in the Conditional Use Permit that lunch may not be served. Mr. Snyder did not agree with the amendment.

In favor of the motion were Mr. Parker, Mr. Quinn, Mr. Peterson, Mr. Oberle, Mr. Cox, Mrs. Mary Greene, Mr. Snyder, and Mr. Yount. Opposing the motion was Mr. West. Motion passed.

Chairman Greene explained that she reinstated the Town Center Committee, adding Mr. Quinn, Mr. Yount. Mr. West and Mr. Peterson were already on the committee.

Mr. West, chairman of the committee, reported that the committee had received some good information from Ms. Sue Glenn, but they had not had time to review all the materials. They did look at other communities like Blowing Rock to see how they apply setbacks in their downtown areas. Mr. West pointed out that one of the suggestions that came out of that was to preserve vegetation in the streetscape.

Mr. Quinn added another concept was to define what the open space, not necessarily green space could be used for. Examples would be sidewalks, patios, displays etc.

Mr. Peterson explained that originally they had proposed 4-foot side yard setbacks. The idea being you and your neighbor could work together to prevent unsightly openings. There could be problems with that if the owner should not keep up his end of the agreement then the area between the buildings might become unsightly.

Mr. Rothrock reported Huntersville and Davidson were the best comparisons with Blowing Rock. He explained that the committee was looking at recommending 75% as the required open space, with 35% of that in the front yard as green space. Mr. Rothrock stated another area that the committee was working on is what will be allowed in the green area. Would display, outside dining, etc. be allowed in that area? The committee agreed the green area was not the place for those types of uses.

The Board had questions regarding the properties that do not conform, but may be redeveloped. Mr. Rothrock stated that most communities recognize that you can build back in a hard ship, but if the property is rebuilt they have to meet the new standards. The Town and the Board will have to address and change the non-conformity section of the Town Code along with the Town Center or it will not work.

Chairman Greene suggested that the Board reviews one item at a time, but that non-conforming situations be included with the Town Center.

With no further business, Mr. Peterson made a motion to adjourn at 9:46 p.m., seconded by Mr. Snyder. All were in favor of the motion.

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Chairman, Susie Greene Sonya Long, Administrative Asst.