By Paul T. Choate
Oct. 16, 2012. The Boone Town Council will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. following a special public hearing at 5 p.m. and a special Planning Commission meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers on Blowing Rock Road.
The special public hearing was scheduled at the Boone Town Council meeting on Sept. 20 in response to how tall buildings should be permitted to be in the downtown business district.
Proposed changes to the town’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) would limit primary building heights to 40 feet in the downtown zoning district.
Currently, building height regulations for the B-1 Central Business district are set at 44 feet as a primary height maximum and 67 feet as a secondary height maximum.
The town also proposed eliminating secondary height limitations from the UDO and using only primary height measurements.
Councilwoman Jamie Leigh initially introduced a motion for the special public hearing on proposed changes to the UDO, saying she wanted a height limitation of 38 feet.
Councilman Andy Ball attempted to introduce a friendly amendment, saying he believed height limitations should be set at 40 feet. Leigh, however, was not in agreement.
“I’m not feeling friendly right now,” said Leigh in response to Ball’s requested amendment.
The council ultimately voted Leigh’s motion down 3-1, with only Leigh herself voting to approve it. Ball then introduced the same motion at 40 feet. The motion was seconded and approved 3-1, with only Leigh voting against it.
Also on the agenda
A contract amendment will be requested regarding the Pride Drive Sewer Improvement project to provide required materials and geotechnical testing services to the contractors.
Approval of continuing a contract with the McLaurin Parking Company through June 30, 2013 will be considered.
The Boone Transportation Committee will seek approval of improvements to the intersection of Queen and North Depot streets, as well as asking for the speed limit on New Market Boulevard to be reduced from 35 mph to 25 mph.
Mark Freed will provide a report on the Jones House’s summer concert series, music lessons and Thursday jam sessions.
The Cultural Resources Board will seek action on multiple issues, including: requesting evaluation on properties on Moretz Street and Clay House Drive, requesting a protective fence around the Sugar Maple known as “Baby” on the Rivers-Coffey property and requesting additional dates/hours of operation for December.
The Council Chambers are located at 1500 Blowing Rock Road, Boone. For any additional information about tonight’s meeting and to view the full agenda, visit townofboone.net/notices/notices.php.
You must be logged in to post a comment.