Town of Maggie Valley

Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting

January 2, 2007

3:30 p.m.

MINUTES

 

Members Present:        Mayor Roger McElroy, Mark DeMeola, Colin Edwards, and                                               Saralyn Price at 3:37 p.m.

Staff Present:              Manager Tim Barth, Chief Scott Sutton, Public Works Director                                           Mike Mehaffey, Attorney Chuck Dickson, Planning Director                                               Nathan Clark, and Town Clerk Vickie Best

Others in Attendance: Six people

 

 

1.    Meeting Called to Order.

Mayor McElroy called the meeting to order at 3:36 p.m. in the Town Hall Boardroom.

 

2.    Consent Agenda

a.  Petition for Annexation:  Ian Wookey & Louise Cissel,

1154 Jonathan Creek Road, Parcel #8607-24-8571,

(2.43 acres): Resolution No. 07-01,

Directing Clerk to investigate an annexation petition.

b.  Petition for Annexation:  Freddy W. Grasty & Henry G.

Grasty, Johnson Branch Road, Parcel #7686-06-4647,

(0.25 acres): Resolution No. 07-02,

Directing Clerk to investigate an annexation petition.

c.  Set meeting dates for 2007 (see attached sheets).

d.  Tax Release.

e.  Correction and Approval of Minutes for December 12, 2006.

 

ALDERMAN EDWARDS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

3.    a.  Public Hearing on amending the zoning ordinance in regard to signage for regional amusement       and recreation attractions.

       b.  Consideration of Ordinance No. 506 to add a provision to the zoning ordinance regarding signage for regional amusement and recreation attractions.

Mayor McElroy opened the public hearing at 3:36 p.m. There being no comments from the floor, the hearing was closed at 3:38 p.m.

 

Manager Barth provided the history on how this proposed amendment came about.  The Zoning Board members felt that approving such a large sign would be out of their realm of granting a variance.  The Zoning Board members recommended that the Planning Board propose an amendment to the sign ordinance allowing the Board of Aldermen to approve signs for regional amusement parks and recreational attractions.  Without such an amendment, appropriate but controlled signage for the Theme Park would not be possible.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NUMBER 506 ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 265 TO ALLOW SIGNAGE FOR REGIONAL AMUSEMENT ATTRACTIONS.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 506

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 265 TO ALLOW SIGNAGE FOR REGIONAL AMUSEMENT ATTRACTIONS

 

Whereas, it is the desire of the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen to allow sufficient signage for Regional Amusement Attractions within the corporate limits of Maggie Valley;

 

Whereas, a public hearing was held January 2, 2007 after due notification on December 13 and 20, 2006;

 

Therefore Be It Ordained By The Board Of Aldermen Of The Town Of Maggie Valley That:

 

1. Article V. Signs Requiring A Permit, number 8 be added to read: 

 

2. Signage: Regional amusement attractions and public regional facilities

 

The Town of Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen may approve signage for regional amusement attractions and public regional facilities, which serve the greater residential area and/or the tourist population, which exceeds the Town’s Standard Sign Ordinance.  The purpose of this exception is to allow major amusement attractions or public facilities, which serve a regional market, increased flexibility with regard to signage necessary to effectively implement their business.

 

Such signage shall be approved for regional amusement attractions and public regional facilities by the Board of Aldermen for all on-site signage.  Off-site signage only applies to existing rental signs available and properties that are located within the Town of Maggie Valley’s jurisdiction.

 

Minimum Criteria:

 

Must be a regional amusement attractions or public regional facility

 

Must operate business on at least 75 acres

 

Must have a projected minimum of 125,000 visitors annually pay admission fees

 

Such signage shall not have a negative impact on surrounding land uses.

 

Such signage fosters the public health, safety, and welfare by promoting safe and efficient public access to the regional public facility

 

This amendment shall become effective upon adoption.

 

4.    Public Hearing on whether to expand the Christmas decorations to include colored lights.

Mayor McElroy opened the public hearing at 3:46 p.m.

 

Mr. Dan Massey addressed Council informing them that he had a petition with approximately 371 names in favor of beginning a Christmas Lights project.  The desire is to purchase colored lights to fill in the spaces along Soco Road where the snowflakes are located. The Town could continue to purchase additional lights each year until the Christmas Lights in Maggie Valley become a visitor’s attractions. Mr. Massey is willing to solicit funds from businesses/residents along US-19, if the Aldermen agree to match what funds are raised.  A dinner is scheduled for January 30, 2007 to award prize money for the best decorated business/residence along US-19.  The event will be co-sponsored by the Maggie Valley Lyons Club. Council members are encouraged to attend.

 

Mayor McElroy had a few concerns about the estimated cost, location of the proposed lights, and the lack of a comprehensible plan.  It is difficult to allocate money in the middle of the fiscal year.

 

Alderman DeMeola agreed, going on to commend Mr. Massey for spearheading the Christmas in the Valley Light Program. A committee should be appointed to structure the project.  The Planning Board members could assist in structuring a plan.

 

Chamber Director Lynn Collins addressed Council informing them it was a positive experience working with the Christmas Light Committee currently in place.  There was a representative from each of the five organizations within Maggie Valley.  Ms. Collins agreed that more research needed to be done before jumping into the project.  After the January 30 awards dinner, the members should have something more concrete to bring to the Aldermen.   

 

There being no further comments from the floor, the  hearing was closed at 4:02 p.m.

 

5.    Appearance of Jay Ring in regard to variance fees.

Zoning Board of Adjustment Chairman Jay Ring addressed Council stating that the Zoning Board members were in concurrence that the variance fees are too extreme.  The General Statutes state that a reasonable fee can be charged. The fees should cover the cost of mailings and such, but not for salaries, paper, heat, or the building. The Zoning Board members contribute a lot of time and effort and they are a volunteer board.  A $75 charge is sufficient.  Chairman Ring felt the Zoning Board of Adjustments is available to help people, not to drive them away with such high fees.

 

During the budget process, staff researched fee schedules from similar areas across North Carolina and tried to come up with an average. Council will review the fee schedule again during the 2007/08 budget process.

 

6. Consideration of a request from Ghost Town regarding signage.

This issue is on the agenda due to the adoption of Ordinance 506.

 

Director Clark provided an overview of events.  The original Ghost Town Park was in place long before the Town was incorporated. The previous signage for Ghost Town was noncompliant.  The height and size restrictions limit proper signage size. 

 

Council reviewed detailed drawings of the proposed signs. The poles for the signs should not exceed 20-feet. The digital reader board will have lettering approximately 2½ feet tall.  Mr. Clark preferred a monochromatic reader board like the signs at the festival grounds and Eaglenest Entertainment.  As for the flags proposed for the exterior portion of the park, they shall remain seasonal or carry Ghost Town’s logo. 

 

Mr. Bob Cordiell, Ghost Town General Manager, stated that he was not opposed to the monochromatic reader board or the flags with Ghost Town’s logo. The entrance sign was proposed to be 23-feet in height to keep the sign from being vandalized and to allow buses to maneuver.  The sign height is measured from the curb on US-19.

 

Ghost Town is in the process of getting NCDOT permits.

 

Alderman Edwards had concerns about sign number 3 being too close to the right-of-way. 

 

Manager Barth assured Alderman Edwards that the sign would be out of the road right-of-way and behind the sidewalk approximately 8-feet.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE SIGN NUMBER ONE WITH 77 SQUARE FEET PER SIDE.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

ALDERMAN PRICE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE READER BOARD WITH LETTERING NOT TO EXCEED 2½ FEET.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

ALDERMAN EDWARDS MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW THE EIGHT FLAG POLES AROUND THE PARKING LOT.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

7.    Consideration of awarding a contract to Buxton for A Small City ID project.

Manager Barth has been meeting with the Haywood County Economic Development Commission for several months.  They have agreed to pay $5,000 toward the cost of the study.  

 

ALDERMAN PRICE MADE A MOTION TO AWARD THE CONTRACT.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

8.    Consideration of declaring surplus a building that is on the property the Town bought from the Parham’s for a Town park.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO DECLARE THE BUILDING SURPLUS.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

9.    Consideration of request for the Town to sponsor the 2007 “Christmas in the Valley” project.

Council previously gave the Christmas in the Valley Project $1,000 to get materials for the wreaths. The Greens Fair was very successful and the money was retuned.  The women have requested the Town to sponsor their project by allowing them to continue to use the building free of charge. 

 

ALDERMAN PRICE MADE A MOTION TO SPONSOR THE PROJECT.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

10.  Consideration of a request by EagleNest for the Town to sanction the 1st Annual Raymond Fairchild Mountain Music Jamboree.

 

ALDERMAN EDWARDS MADE A MOTION TO SANCTION THE RAYMOND FAIRCHILD JAMBOREE.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

11.  Consideration of setting a time for a joint workshop with the Planning Board.

A joint workshop was scheduled for January 17, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in the Town Hall Boardroom.

 

12.  Manager’s Report.

The Haywood County Council of Government will hold a meeting on Wednesday January 4 at noon to discuss the Haywood County Recreational Plan.

 

The parade committee will meet January 8 at 9:00 a.m. to evaluate the 2006 Christmas Parade and to begin making plans for the 2007 Christmas Parade.

 

On January 10 at 3:00 p.m. a ground breaking ceremony will be held for the new Police Department.

 

Mayor McElroy asked that everyone give a special thanks to Colin and Burton Edwards for removing the trees from the Police Department site.

 

Manager Barth and Finance Director Wheeler will be attending a preliminary conference with USDA and McGill Associates regarding the wastewater treatment plant expansion.

 

13.  Other Business.

No other business was discussed other than Mayor McElroy wishing everyone a happy and prosperous new year.

 

14.  Meeting Adjourned.

ON MOTION BY ALDERMAN EDWARDS, WITH ALL IN FAVOR, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 4:50 P.M.

 

 

 

________________________________

Mayor Roger McElroy

 

 

 

_______________________________

Vickie Best, CMC, Town Clerk