|
Sylva zoning board considers annexation
By Carey King
The talks are preliminary, but Sylva's zoning board is considering two proposals that would expand the town's limits.
The first is a plan to annex properties on both sides of Cope Creek Road up to Toy Cove, plus land off Woody Hampton Road behind Cope Creek Plaza.
Pulling in those areas - a total of 11 acres - would give the town the connector properties it needs to link with 15 acres near Toy Cove that developer Carlton Brown has volunteered for annexation.
Brown proposed the annexation in February as part of a deal that would require Sylva to build a water line out to his property, where he plans to develop a 40-unit subdivision of affordable homes.
The town has yet to agree to Brown's offer, as the line and town services such as police and fire protection would come at some cost. The board has also been hesitant to "satellite" annex the area, which would make the development an island of Sylva within a sea of county land.
Annexing the 26 acres all together could generate an annual total of $73,278 in tax revenue to the town, said zoning administrator Jim Aust.
"If we don't annex it all at one time, it's just like we're trying to dodge people in an area that needs to be developed," Aust said.
The zoning board is also looking at a plan known as "Zones of Consideration." Taken up recently by Asheville, the idea involves identifying areas outside town limits that the town may consider for future annexation.
"It's almost like a motion of respect to the property owners," Aust said. "It gives people a heads-up that they are being looked at. It gives them an opportunity to do their own financial planning."
On a map approved by the town board, the zones of consideration would be open for public view. No action could be taken on any of the areas for a year, but after that time, Sylva could choose to initiate action with 70 days' notice.
"You avoid the view that you're cramming something down people's throats because of greed," said town Manager Richard McHargue. "There's a view out there that city governments are greedy, greedy, greedy. It's a good thing for citizens to know and understand the process we go through."
Though such a map is yet to be finalized, none of the zones would be located more than a mile outside current town limits, Aust said.
Citizens would have the chance to voice their opinions at public hearings throughout that year, he said.
Before making recommendations on either issue to the mayor and town board members, zoning board members will discuss both further during their March 30 meeting, Aust said.
|
