Town of Maggie Valley

Regularly Scheduled Planning Board Meeting

March 2, 2005

MINUTES

Members Present: Chairman Pat Tilley, Richard Pierce, Billy Brede, Billy Case and Jerry Zerbock

Staff Present: Planning Director Kevin Byrd and Town Clerk Vickie Best

Others Present: six people were in attendance

Meeting Called to Order

Chairman Tilley called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m. on March 2, 2005 in the Town Hall Boardroom.

Approval or Correction of Minutes

MR. BREDE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED.

MR. ZERBOCK SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED.

Plan Review: Mark Benitez of Benitez Homes, Commercial

Mr. Byrd explained Mr. Benitez’s proposed project. The buildings currently located on the lot will be removed. Storage units will be located at the rear of the property. The main structure will be a model with four to five employees. There will be adequate paved parking. The lot is 220 feet deep. The sewer tap is in the front of the property. Utilities will be in the State R-O-W.

Mr. Case inquired about the right-of-way to the power lines down the property line. NCDOT requires an 18’ easement. The location is within Maggie Valley’s ETJ area. The ordinance requires buffers along the front side of the property.

Mr. Byrd reported that he would research required buffers on the sides and rear of the property. Mr. Benitez agrees to plant evergreen trees as a buffer. Activities will remain 20’ off the property line.

There will be no signage for the mini-storage units.

Mr. Byrd recommended approval.

MR. CASE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FOR 3549 DELLWOOD ROAD ZONED COMMERCIAL 1.

MR. BREDE SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED.

Plan Review: David Pope of Smokey Mountain Retreat, Residential

Smokey Mountain Retreat exceeds R1 standards. Mr. Pope is requesting approval for Phase 3, Lots: C25,C28, C30,C31,C33. The County has approved the septic systems.

Mr. Byrd recommended approval.

MR. BREDE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PHASE 3, LOTS C25,C28,C30,C31, AND C33 IN SMOKEY MOUNTAIN RETREAT IN HAYWOOD, NORTH CAROLINA.

MR. CASE SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED.

Plan Review: Mike Toohey of Maggie Valley Country Club:PUD Recommendation

Attorney Jack Kirsten and Matt Fusico with Melrose Landscaping Designs were present to answer questions.

The Maggie Valley Country Club will have single family and multi-family homes, with green space, hiking trails, and ponds. Mr. Kirsten felt the PUD would set a benchmark for Maggie Valley.

The Maggie Valley Country Club is proposing major improvements to the clubhouse and golf course. The existing motel will be demolished. The Maintenance Facility will be moved onto the golf course.

Attorney Kirsten explained that the key members of the development met with the surrounding neighbors on March 1, 2005 with a positive outcome. An additional 100 plus acres was purchased adjacent to the golf course.

Mr. Fusico then addressed the Board providing an overview. There will be greenways surrounding the units with ample buffering. The footprint will be reduced due to clustering of units. There will be 206 units.

Mr. Case questioned if the roads were going to be upgraded.

The Country Club does not own Club East or West. The roads within the Country Club will remain private.

Mr. Brede felt the entrance should be upgraded. Mr. Case had concerns about the roads and road widths.

Mr. Otis Sizemore, a neighbor to the County Club, stated that their bylaws prohibit connecting to their roads.

Chairman Tilley had concerns about the roads as well, going on to compare Valley Creek Run Subdivision T turn-a-rounds as a joke.

Mr. Fusico responded that no costs would be cut nor standards lowered due to the roads being private. A cull-de-sac has a greater turn-a-round area than the T turn-a-rounds. The streets will be 12’ to 14’ and in the higher density area 16 feet.

The Maggie Valley Country Club will minimize disruptions due to construction as much as possible. The key members of the project will have another meeting after the seasonal residents return.

The property owners association will be responsible for maintenance of the roads as part of the deed restrictions.

Chairman Tilley explained that in order to maintain the streets and bridge leading into Valley Creek Run Subdivision, the homeowner fees would increase tremendously.

Mr. Kirsten stated that the roads would be built to NCDOT standards insofar as compaction, base, etc.

Mr. Brede stated that an effort to improve the roads to at least 16 feet in width is desired.

Mr. Fusico explained that the motel business is being phased out completely to lessen the rental activity and reduce the wear on the golf course. There will be strict architectural guidelines to be followed. Erosion control standards will be met.

MR. CASE MADE A MOTION TO EMBRACE THE CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN BUT WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT THE PRELIMINARY PLAT.

MR. PIERCE FELT THE BOARD SHOULD GO ON-SITE.

MR. BREDE SECONDED THE MOTION ASKING THAT THE COUNTRY CLUB MAKE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ROADS AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.

MOTION CARRIED.

The Board then discussed the need to have a retreat with the Board of Aldermen to set goals and future plans.

The board took a brief break from 3:40 p.m until 3:50 p.m.

Other Business

Mr. Sizemore discussed the problems with collecting assessments for road maintenance. There are no legal ways to collect the fees. The area formed a road service tax district through Haywood County.

The Planning Director and the Board members need three weeks to review subdivision proposals. It is difficult to schedule special meetings for an applicant at the end of the month. It is helpful to the developer but the Board cannot continue to schedule special meetings for developers that have not submitted their documentation in a timely manner. If an applicant was previously on the agenda, then the Board may consider a special meeting but otherwise it is an inconvenience to the daily activities of the departments involved and the Board members.

The subdivision ordinance will require monuments on all main corners of the property and the proposed building footprint.

MR. PIERCE MADE A MOTION TO SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP WITH THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN TO DEFINE THE DIRECTION THE PLANNING BOARD SHOULD BE GOING.

MR. CASE SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED.

ON MOTION BY MR. PIERCE, SECONDED BY MR. CASE THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 4:55 P.M.

Chairman Pat Tilley Vickie Best, CMC, Town Clerk