DRAFT
Planning
and Zoning Board
Minutes
Thursday,
July 19, 2007
The Blowing Rock Planning and Zoning Board
met on Thursday, July 19, 2007 for their regular scheduled meeting. Vice-Chairman
Albert Yount called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Members present were Ada
Webster, Sue Sweeting, Web Alexander and Ron Mace. Jim West, Jim Steele, and
Nelda Miller were absent. Staff members present were Planning Director Kevin
Rothrock, Town Manager
Ms. Sweeting made
a motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Mrs.Webster. All
members were in favor of the motion.
Review
and Consideration to Regulate Newspaper/Magazine Rack Placement in CB
Mr. Rothrock gave a report to the board in
reference to the Town Council review of the proposed ordinance to regulate
newspaper/magazine rack placement in the Central Business District. The Council
requested that the Planning Board review potential locations and give the staff
input to use in revising the ordinance for the August Council meeting.
Five locations were discussed in regards to
visibility, access by vehicle and walking traffic, and convenience for those
not familiar with our Town. (Attachment #1)
The recommendation to the Town Council would
be as follows:
Location one at Gossip Park (near Wachovia
parking lot) would have visibility for purchasers, easy access by purchasers
either on foot or in a car, and would be easy to see by visitors and easy to
direct them to.
Location two at the left of the Post Office
entry doors would be good for residents and had no need to include free realtor
publications or visitor guides.
Location three near the sidewalk between
Location four on the south side of the
Location five on the south side of the walk
on
After the Board’s discussion, Vice-Chairman
Yount opened the discussion up to audience member comments.
Ms. Karen Brown, publisher of Homes and Land
of the High South, expressed concern over the modular unit distribution,
upkeep, and associated costs. She feels there needs to be plenty of spaces for
the free publications like hers that serve as a major source of revenue for the
area realtors. She requested that the record show that she is opposed to
regulating the placement and number of locations for publications.
Mr. Earle Horne expressed concern with making
final decisions without all the details regarding the units and the locations.
The configuration proposed for a location can affect the viability of the
location.
All members voted in favor of the
recommendation to be reported to the Town Council.
Mr. Rothrock gave an update to the board in
reference to the Tree and Landscape Ordinance after presentation to Town
Council at their July 10 meeting. The Town Council requested the Planning Board
be commended for their hard work in drafting the Ordinance. Concerns were
voiced by Council on the restrictions placed on single family properties and
the proposed penalties of $100 per inch for unauthorized removal. A revised
Ordinance that addresses these issues will be returned to Council at the August
or September meeting.
Mr. Yount asked if Mr. Rothrock could speak
about 120 Yonahlossee Rd. Mr. Rothrock commented that demolition of the former
Cheeseburger’s restaurant building would be done July 20, 2007.
Mr. Rothrock reported the new park system
kiosk was in the process of being installed in Memorial Park and that the
hardscape improvements around the gazebo would be completed by Friday, July 20,
2007.
With
no further business the Planning Board adjourned at 7:50 PM.
______________________________
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Albert Yount, Vice-Chairman Margaret Pierce, Finance Director