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Maymead Asks for More Time To Present at Hearing on High Impact Land Use Ordinance

By Jesse Wood

Watauga County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, July 7, at 8:30 a.m. regarding potential amendments to the High Impact Land Use Ordinance.

A couple weeks ago, the commissioners enacted a brief moratorium for asphalt plants, cement mixing facilities and rock quarries in order have enough to time to schedule a required public hearing before modifying the ordinance.

The commissioners are considering requiring a 1,500-foot buffer between the three land uses and the N.C. Department of Transportation right of way on a designated scenic byway. It’s also considering adding setbacks from these three uses and residential dwellings in an, as of yet, undecided range of 500 to 1,500 feet.

These particular potential amendments came about after hundreds of county residents voiced their opposition to Maymead’s proposed asphalt plant in Deep Gap on U.S 421, which is designated the Doc and Merle Watson Scenic Highway.

Watauga County Manager Deron Geouque sent out an email to the media on Thursday evening, stating that Maymead asked for additional time to present information during the public hearing. He is opposing the proposed amendments to the High Impact Land Use Ordinance.

“The Chairman has agreed to allow this request, and they will present their comments during the initial portion of the public hearing,” Geouque wrote.

The public hearing will take place in the Watauga County Administration Building, which is located next to the Watauga County Courthouse.

For more background, click here for prior stories.