The Blowing Rock Planning and Zoning Board met on Thursday, November 21, 2002. Vice Chairman Paul Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present were Albert Yount, Bill Parker, Jim West, David Cox, Dennis Quinn, Ron Oberle and George Snyder. Absent was Chairman Susie Greene and Cobb Milner. Staff present were Kevin Rothrock, Planning Director, and Sonya Long, Administrative Assistant.

Mr. West thanked the members for their loyal dedication to the Board. He wanted them to know how much he appreciated them attending the meetings and volunteering their time.

Mr. Oberle made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted, seconded by Mr. West. All were in favor.

Mr. Rothrock explained to the Board that after a joint work session between the Planning Board and the Town Council, the ETJ area had been reduced significantly. He pointed out one particular piece of property on Highway 221 south that had been added. This property was added due to the size of the property and the fact that it was surrounded by park land. Mr. Rothrock stated that the sewer plant and recycle plant properties would also be included. He explained that the maps presented to them showed the "Current Land Use" and the "Proposed ETJ North area".

Mr. Rothrock stated that a public notice would be placed in the local paper advertising a informational meeting on December 5^th, 10:00 a.m. – noon, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Included in the Boards packet was also a copy of the letter that would go to the property owners affected by this, along with a fact sheet and a proposed time line.

Mr. Rothrock stated that he had contacted the Institute of Government and Watauga County. The Town received authorization to expand zoning in the ETJ area in 2000. Watauga County has an existing watershed ordinance established under zoning authority in that area. Therefore Blowing Rock needed the County’s approval to proceed.

Mr. Peterson asked that Board members sign up to help with the informational session.

Mr. Cox asked how this proposal would affect the ETJ representative on the Board of Adjustments. Mr. Rothrock explained that Board member would participate in all cases that came from that area.

The Board asked that the Planning Board be included in the Property Owner letter and in the Tentative Schedule. They also asked that in the Fact Sheet, under "What does it mean?," point one (1) be placed under the heading "Why?". Also, change the word "adopt" to "consider".

Ms. Sue Glenn asked the Board to summarize the joint work session regarding the new ETJ area, between the Planning Board and Town Council. Mr. Peterson stated it would be hard to summarize but that the Boards did an excellent job zoning the land that would be most affected. The proposed ETJ area, if developed poorly, would have the greatest negative impact on Blowing Rock. Mr. West also pointed out that they didn’t want to take in land that the Town wouldn’t later be able to provide water and sewer.

With no further discussion, Mr. West made a motion that the Planning Board continue the process for Extraterritorial Jurisdiction, seconded by Mr. Oberle. All were in favor. Mr. Rothrock added that any such resolution would be more appropriate at the December Planning Board meeting.

Mr. Rothrock stated that at the September meeting, the Planning Board requested some minor modifications to the suggestions made by Town Council from their meeting in August. The Planning Board compromised with the changes proposed by the Town Council.

Mr. West suggested that the draft ordinance be sent to Town Council as proposed and let them decide when to go forward with the Town Center District. Mr. Rothrock suggested that the Planning Board forward it on to Town Council to review but not go forward with Town Center until the Planning Board establishes an overlay district.

Mr. Oberle made a motion to send the draft ordinance to Town Council as written, seconded by Mr. Snyder. All were in favor.

Mr. Rothrock explained that at the September Planning Board meeting, the Board discussed adopting a "middle of the road" approach with respect to repair, maintenance, and reconstruction of buildings with nonconforming situations. This approach would allow commercial buildings, if damaged by fair, natural disaster, or act of God, beyond fifty percent (50%) of the value, to be repaired and/or replaced within the existing building footprint. Such buildings could also be enlarged or expanded as long as they did not increase the extent of a nonconformity. Buildings repaired, replaced or reconstructed for any other reason, must meet, to the extent reasonable, any provisions of the Land Use Ordinance.

The Board discussed an example of how this would apply in the Town Center District.

The Board discussed this further before the motion was voted on. Mr. Quinn suggested maybe reversing the sentences in item (B) of the ordinance.

Mr. Oberle asked the staff to check on the status of the house on Ransom Street that has been condemned.

Mr. Oberle also asked the status of the signs that are to come into compliance. Mr. Rothrock reported that letters have been sent to those that are not in compliance and they have until March 2003 to bring them in to compliance.

With no further business, the Board adjourned at 8:10 pm.

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Paul Peterson, Vice Chairman Sonya Long, Administrative Assistant