MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
& PLANNING BOARD
Monday, June 12, 2000
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners and Planning Board held a joint meeting on Monday, June 12, 2000 at 6:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Human Services Building.
Present: Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
Sue Sweeting, Vice-Chairman
Jack Lawrence,Sr., Commissioner
James Coffey, Commissioner
Lowell Younce, Vice-Chairman Planning Board
Tommy Harmon, Planning Board
Denise Grohs, Planning Board
Candy Winebarger, Planning Board
Weldon Critcher, Planning Board
Jay Vincent, Planning Board
Jeff Hedrick, County Attorney
Robert E. Nelson, Jr., County Manager
Joseph Furman, Planning & Inspections Director
Jennifer Storie, Planning Board Staff
Chairman Hodges called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. welcoming those in attendance.
Lowell Younce, Vice-Chairman Planning Board presented opening remarks explaining reason for the joint meeting. Due to Blue Ribbon Commission Report and the recent moratorium on Polluting Industries the Board of Commissioners had asked the Planning Board to look at county-wide zoning. The Planning Board requested this meeting to get direction on accomplishing this.
Planning & Inspections Director, Joe Furman presented the three list the Planning Board had compiled at their May 15, 2000 meeting: 1)ways to inform the public, 2)minimum controls, 3)too much government.
The Boards jointly discussed the lists, coming to agreement on the following. There has to be public involvement. It is important to let the people know we want to hear from them and that zoning is not a bad word. Need to take proposal, ideas, or options not just ask for opinions to community meetings, possible held at the elementary schools. That telephone surveys would probably not be to effective. Also need to use the media to inform public on issue.
The Commissioners agreed that the list of minimum controls were all good ideas to consider. Keep in mind the need for low-income housing. Important to look at requirements for larger lot-sizes and storm-water control.
The Boards decided it was best to keep issue of a nuisance ordinance for a later date and not address it at this time.
Two members of the public made comments.
The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
Jimmy Hodges
Chairman
ATTEST:
Robert E. Nelson, Jr., County Manager