Weaverville – The January Weaverville Council meeting commenced with a public hearing regarding proposed code amendments for places of gatherings, home occupations, fees in lieu of sidewalk construction, and conservation subdivisions. Former Weaverville Town Councilman Jeff McKenna expressed his concern during the hearing, specifically focusing on fees in lieu of sidewalk construction, emphasizing the importance of immediate sidewalk construction rather than depositing the money in escrow. “It’s easiest to do it [build the sidewalks] right up front.”
Consent Agenda
Following the hearing, Weaverville Town Manager Selena Coffey reviewed the consent agenda items, which included budget amendments for donations to the Recreation Complex and the police budget for the Cops for Kids program, as well as the sale of surplus vehicles. The council also decided to inform the Dry Ridge Historical Museum about the expiration of their lease at the new community center and the need for re-negotiation before signing a new lease.
Coffey informed about the town’s plan to conduct a free cybersecurity review through the North Carolina League of Municipalities Cybersecurity Grant. Mayor Fitzsimmons and Jennifer Young were appointed to the Local Firefighter Relief Board of Trustees. Proclamations were issued for Arbor Day and Black History Month. During the monthly report, Coffey updated the council on the Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project, revealing that the state’s grant of $15 million will actually be reduced to $14,550,000 due to administrative costs.
The town is receiving an appropriation of $1 million for the Water Treatment Plant Expansion from the State & Tribal Assistance Grants Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, thanks to Congressman Chuck Edwards. In addition, Coffey stated she had also “submitted another request for $4 million in funding to Edwards’ office” via the Army Corps of Engineers.
She told the board that the solar panel project for the Weaverville Fire Department was on hold because the “US-made solar panels that qualify for the 10% tax reduction will not be available as soon as originally expected. Some will likely be available at the end of summer or early fall 2024. For this reason…I have postponed the installation
until the US-certified panels are available.”
Coffey also gave an update on the Short-Term Rental listening sessions, where a total of 125 people attended the three sessions. “We can expect a report from our facilitator from Land of Sky Regional Council, Kayla DiCristina, in the near future.”
She updated The Council on Eller Cove Trail Planning Study by Elevated Trail Design, who said, “They have had some very productive days exploring and flagging trail routes on the Eller Cove Watershed property.”
Coffey mentioned that the police department received a Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition Award and thanked Chief Ron Davis for introducing electric and hybrid vehicles to the fleet. During public comment, a Florida Ave business owner requested an evaluation of traffic patterns. McKenna also spoke on the same topic and emphasized the importance of keeping taxes unchanged.
Action and Discussion Items
The council then heard two reports to start the action and discussion items, one from Doug Dearth, who is the town representative at the Metropolitan Sewage District (MSD), who said the MSD is looking to replace the pumps for the town with bigger ones to handle the growth of the area. Vice Mayor Catherine Cordell presented the other report on the French Broad Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) of which she is the town’s representative.
Next, Coffey delivered an interlocal agreement for the Woodfin-Weaverville Greenway feasibility study. The study will cost “$120,000, which includes $96,000 in Federal Highway Administration funding and a local cost of $24,000.” The two towns are splitting the cost, and the council voted for the agreement along with $12,000 out of general funds for their share.
Town Attorney Jennifer Jackson then introduced two voluntary annexation petitions, the first for 10.67+/- acres at 9 Pleasant Grove. Plans are for “40 townhouse units and three single-family residences to be constructed directly off of Pleasant Grove Road, but are requesting an underlying zoning designation of R-3.”
The second for +/- 6.09 non-contiguous acres located at 6 Pleasant Grove Road. The annexation appears to be to obtain town services, including water, to support the development of 50 townhouse units on the property. The petitioners are requesting an initial zoning designation of R-3. Both annexations were passed along with a water request for the second annexation. The same person does not own the two developments.
They also passed the code amendment for Chapters 2 and 20, for which the public hearing was held at the beginning of the meeting.
Finally, the LDG Meribel project along Monticello Road is a fee instead of sidewalk construction. The estimate for sidewalks is $112,000. Cordell said the project is more than sidewalks; it is a pedestrian crossing across Monticello. Jackson told the board this would have nothing to do with the crossing, just the sidewalk. The board passed it.