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Sylva leaders adjust border of planned ETJ, set hearing
By Samantha Blanton
Sylva leaders appear poised to impose zoning control on an adjacent area that lies outside town limits.
Board members voted 3-1 Thursday (Aug. 17) to move ahead with plans for possible extra-terriorial jurisdiction for the Allens Branch area. Board member Ray Lewis cast the “no” vote, and board member Danny Allen was absent.
Board members also voted to redraw the boundary of the proposed ETJ. Initial plans placed the ETJ boundary one mile up Allens Branch past the town border (U.S. 23-74), but were adjusted to include less. The new boundary includes only those properties with development potential that will impact the town, said Sylva Manager Jay Denton.
The majority of people inside the adjusted boundary have asked for town zoning protection, according to board member Stacy Knotts.
“We needed to bring the lines down; in some cases it would be advantageous should we decide to annex in the future,” Knotts said.
Board members Maurice Moody and Harold Hensley expressed the view that it would not help the town to impose zoning on upper Allens Branch where people don’t want it.
“Residents don’t want us up there, and I don’t want to be where I’m not wanted,” Hensley said.
Lewis, on the other hand, said the entire matter should be dropped.
“I can’t see us going up that far; we need to drop this and move on,” he said.
Allens Branch resident Mary Cook, a former Sylva assistant police chief, presented a petition in opposition to the proposed ETJ that was signed by 42 people.
Mayor Brenda Oliver told Cook she and other concerned residents would have a chance to speak before board members make a final decision on whether to create an ETJ.
“A public hearing will be set, and I promise nothing will be done behind closed doors,” Oliver told Cook.
That hearing has been set for 6 p.m. prior to the board’s regular meeting on Thursday, Oct. 5.
In a related matter, officials agreed to meet with Dillsboro’s town board about placing the the Yellowbird Branch Road area, which lies between Savannah Drive and North River Road, into ETJ.
“What happens in that area affects both towns,” Denton said.
State statutes regulate the amount of property a town can control through ETJ and stipulate it can only reach one-half the distance between existing town borders.
In other business Aug. 17:
– Board members voted to adopt a resolution to close Third Avenue, which is located is behind Mark Watson Park. Jackson County requested that the town close the road in 1990 when a new courthouse was planned for that location, and town leaders voted to do so, but the documents were never filed with the Register of Deeds.
A public hearing on the street closing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, prior to a regular town board meeting.
– Oliver reported that the Economic Development Commission met with representatives from Mountain Projects and Advantage West with regard to siting a commercial kitchen in Sylva.
A request has been made to Rep. Charles Taylor (R-Brevard) for funding assistance.
“The EDC is also working with one high-tech firm to bring its business into the area,” Oliver said.
– Police Chief Jeff Jamison reported that in the past month officers responded to 43 collisions, 14 alarm activations, three commitments, conducted 110 business checks with none not secure, performed 53 vehicle stops resulting in 33 citations, made 19 arrests, and patrolled 4,492 miles patrolled.
“National Night Out took place and was a success,” Jamison said. “We thank everyone in the community for their support.”
Jamison reported to board members that police officer Shannon Ashe had left the town force to join the SBI.
– Public Works Director Dan Schaeffer reported that his department is making plans to get the voluntary recycling program up and running.
“We are hoping it will be going by Oct. 4,” Schaeffer said. “It will run with trash days.”
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