TOWN OF MAGGIE VALLEY

BOARD OF ALDERMEN / PLANNING BOARD JOINT WORKSHOP

FEBRUARY 16, 2007

MINUTES

 

Members Present:        Aldermen: Colin Edwards, Phil Aldridge, Mark DeMeola and                                             Mayor McElroy

Planning Board Members Present:      Chairman Billy Brede, Scott Pauley, and

                                                            John Schreiber

Staff Present:              Manager Tim Barth, Planning Director Nathan Clark, and Town                                         Clerk Vickie Best

 

The Board of Aldermen and the Planning Board met to discuss landscaping/design criteria requirements in the Town Hall Conference Room at 10:04 a.m.

 

·         The design criteria will apply to all new businesses and to renovations over 50%.

·         A chart was proposed identifying the percentage of greenspace required verses the size of the lot.  This is an important issue because it would lessen the storm water runoff.

·         The front yard setback is proposed at 15’ rather than the current 10’.  The right-of-way varies along Soco Road; so in order to have continuity the buffer will measure 15’ from the back of the sidewalk.

 

Alderman Edwards had concerns about requiring a 15’ buffer on small lots.

 

Mr. Clark stated that hardships could be addressed in the planning stages. It will be clearly defined how people can get a variance. The buffer can be utilized for signage. 

 

·         Businesses will be required to plant shrubs for every 150 square feet of the total parking area.  

 

Mayor McElroy felt that by requiring an 8/12 pitch on the roof, it would increase cost to the property owner.

 

Mayor McElroy also had concerns about prohibiting brick.  Many combination materials can be used with brick.

 

Chairman Brede explained that the goal is to create a mountain theme.  Chairman Brede went on to provide details and pictures from the field trip the Planning Board members took to other resort towns. The idea is to avoid the “stucco look”.

 

Alderman DeMeola agreed that the “bar needs to be raised”; Maggie Valley cannot accommodate people wanting to come in and “throw up” a business. It has been proven by the Driving Miss Maggie plan that the community wants the mountain theme.

 

Mr. Pauley felt the proposed regulation would appeal to visitors and provide a inviting sense of place.

 

Mayor McElroy felt that people should have options. 

 

The approved materials rather than the prohibited will be emphasized.

 

Alderman DeMeola felt the Planning Board was taking a bold step by raising the bar letting potential businesses know that Maggie Valley is not “discounting any longer”.

 

Alderman Aldridge was in favor of the changes.

 

Mayor McElroy asked that the Planning Board members bring the proposal back to Council in ordinance form for their review.  Mayor McElroy went on to suggest that Council talk with the community about the proposed changes. 

 

Manager Barth agreed, adding that Council could hold an informational hearing to gather public input, and then after any needed revisions, have a public hearing.

 

A public hearing was tentatively scheduled for April 3, 2007.

 

The workshop ended at 10:50 a.m.

 

 

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Mayor Roger McElroy

 

 

 

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Vickie Best, CMC, Town Clerk