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Commissioners hear requests, approve library joint resolution
By Derek Hodges
Jackson County Commissioners Jan. 11 heard a request from the Jackson County Rescue Squad for additional space, another from the Lake Glenville Homeowners Association, and approved a joint resolution with the Town of Sylva concerning the proposed new library.
Chief Craig Burrell told commissioners that the rescue squad needs additional space to store new equipment and expand services.
He proposed the county use land it already owns, specifically the Webster Complex, where the new Department of Social Services building is currently under construction, to build a new facility for the squad. There is a need for either an eight-bay facility at a new location or a four-bay building to be used in conjunction with the current Sylva station.
Burrell explained that the squad has new equipment that must be kept outside at its current location because of insufficient room inside the building. The squad needs eight bays in one facility or a combination of two facilities to store its equipment and vehicles, Burrell said.
Board members asked Burrell to supply two potential layouts for the Webster property, one for a four-bay building and one for eight bays. The commissioners will discuss the request further when those architectural plans for the buildings are available.
Phil Fowler, a member of the Lake Glenville Homeowners Association, presented a list of his groups concerns regarding Duke Power's proposed compensation package.
Duke has applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requesting relicensing of its six Jackson County hydroelectric projects, and in doing so must offer certain environmental enhancements in exchange for using public waterways.
Residents are concerned that lake buffer zones could be used for "nuisance activities" such as all-night parties and drug use, and complain that Duke's fluctuating water levels "tend to increase erosion, diminish water quality and may present boating safety hazards," the document said.
While the Duke plan calls for building a trail to High Falls, association members would prefer improvements be made to Andrews Park, Fowler said.
The residents said they were happy with current restrictions on the number and location of docks on the lake, but requested more freedom for homeowners in how debris is removed from the lakefront and how the general appearance of the lake is maintained.
After Fowler presented the draft points commissioners kept them under consideration until the next meeting. At the Jan. 18 meeting it was decided that the points would be tabled until ongoing discussions between Duke and its attorneys and county officials and county attorney Paul Holt could be completed.
Also on Jan. 11, commissioners voted to approve a joint resolution with the Town of Sylva by which the town agrees to reimburse the county $105,000 for locating the proposed new county library at Jackson Plaza, which is within Sylva's town limits.
The amount will be paid in five $21,000 annual installments beginning with fiscal year 2005-06.
The agreement was discussed during commissioners' Dec. 14 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
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