MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING

MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017

 

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on Monday, January 9, 2017, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room, Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, NC. 

 

Present:     John Welch, Chairman

                  Billy Kennedy,Vice-Chairman

                  Jimmy Hodges, Commissioner

                  Larry Turnbow, Commissioner

                  Perry Yates, Commissioner

                  Andrea Capua, County Attorney 

                  Deron Geouque, County Manager

                  Tammy Adams, Substitute Clerk to the Board

                 

Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.

 

Commissioner Hodges opened the meeting with a prayer and Commissioner Yates led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

PUBLIC HEARING TO ALLOW CITIZEN COMMENT ON AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A DEVELOPMENT MORATORIUM ON HIGH IMPACT LAND USES

 

A public hearing was held to allow citizen comment on a proposed ordinance establishing a 60-day development moratorium on high impact land uses as required by N.C.G.S. 153A-340(h).

 

Chairman Welch opened the public hearing at 5:33 P.M.

 

The following shared comments:

Mr. Bill Moretz

Ms. Mary Ballard

Ms. Annette Reeves

Rev. Jette Terpner

Mr. Butch Reeves

Ms. Doris Isaacs

Mr. Braxton Eggers

Ms. Anne Ward

Mr. Richard Butler

Mr. Lee Stroupe

Ms. Pam Williamson

Ms. Anita Stroupe

Mr. Nathan Miller

Ms. Donna Akers

Mr. Jeff Templeton

Mr. Tim Wilson

Mr. Mike Budka, Jr.


Chairman Welch asked Mr. Joe Furman, Planning & Inspections Director for comments.  Mr. Furman reviewed a handout containing questions received and information regarding the moratorium. Mr. Furman noted that a comment box and forms were provided at the hallway entrance for those wishing to leave written comments after the public hearing and a link for comments would also be available on the Watauga County website.  

 

County Attorney Capua suggested Article 4 of the ordinance be amended to clarify the duration of the moratorium.

 

After brief discussion, Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adopt the Ordinance Establishing a Development Moratorium on High Impact Land Uses, as amended.

 

VOTE:  Aye-3 (Welch, Kennedy, Turnbow)

             Nay-2 (Hodges, Yates)

 

Commissioner Welch closed the public hearing at 6:17 PM.

 

County Manager Geouque requested further direction from the Board regarding citizen input.  The Board directed staff to work with the Planning Board on formulating citizen input.  Vice-Chairman Kennedy requested that the Board receive a copy of all comments submitted to staff.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye - 5

Nay - 0

  

John Welch, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

Tammy Adams, Substitute Clerk to the Board