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Public Hearing on CUP for Urgent Care Facility Next to Subway in Blowing Rock Scheduled

An conceptual drawing of the proposed urgent care facility.
An conceptual drawing of the proposed urgent care facility.

By Jesse Wood

On Tuesday, the Blowing Rock Town Council tabled the topic of a conditional use permit n Tuesday to convert the former Blowing Rock Renovators building on Valley Boulevard into a medical clinic/urgent care facility, according to Blowing Rock Planning Director Kevin Rothrock.

A public hearing on the proposed development has been reconvened for Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m.

The 0.62-acre property in question is a parcel made up of 8439 Valley Boulevard, the site of the old building, and an adjacent lot to the south. The property is zoned general business. Property owners include Highlands Union Bank and Curtis and Marilyn Deem.

Here's a view of the what the property has looked like in the past and what is proposed.
Here’s a view of the what the property has looked like in the past and what is proposed.

The applicant – Blowing Rock MOB, LLC – proposes 26 parking spaces with one being compliant with the American Disabilities Act. Five of the spaces exist on the north side of the building, and 21 new spaces will be available after the adjacent lot to the south of the building is graded.

According to a memo from Blowing Rock Planning Director Kevin Rothrock, town code requires an eight-foot landscaping buffer in between the proposed clinic and Subway, which is located at 8433 Valle Boulevard.

This buffer requirement, however, interferes with the existing parking spaces. The planning board recommended to council that it waive the buffer requirement in order to preserve the existing parking spaces that exist on the north side of the building.

Applicable setbacks include 20 feet along Valley Boulevard and 20 feet off of Skyland View Drive toward the rear of the property.

Architectural changes to the building include a new gable and office area to be added to center of the building where the current main entrance is located. A new covered entry will also be built on the southeast corner of the building with heavy timber beams.