|
Sylva leaders look toward expansion
By Lynn Hotaling
Sylva officials last week (Oct. 6) gave notice that they are considering expanding town limits.
The “area of consideration” town board members approved includes Kings Mountain, Dillardtown, Cope Creek, East Cope Creek as well as portions of Dills Cove, Allens Branch, Kitchens Branch, Fisher Creek, Beta and Fairview. After the area of consideration has been established for one year, Sylva will be able to annex qualifying portions within that area in just 40 days, according to Sylva Planning Director Jim Aust.
However, the AOC does not give Sylva priority over other municipalities in terms of annexing a given area, he said.
The AOC boundary is located about a mile up the roads that follow Scotts Creek’s tributaries (Allens Branch, Kitchens Branch, Fisher Creek), Aust said. It extends all the way to Locust Creek Road and then loops back around to Skyland Drive past T&S Hardwoods. It extends south along N.C. 107 right up to Webster’s town limits and includes all the area between Wal-Mart and Webster. More precise descriptions and maps are available for inspection at Sylva’s City Hall.
Included in the resolution that created the AOC is authorization for Aust to proceed with finalizing boundaries for an extraterritorial jurisdiction, Aust said.
If Sylva enacts an ETJ, the town will establish zoning for that area just as it does for property within the city limits. The proposed ETJ will include Dillardtown and Cope Creek communities (but not East Cope Creek) as well as a portion of Fairview community and all the property between Wal-Mart and Webster. If approved, it will extend south on N.C. 107 to Locust Creek.
A map of the exact area being considered as part of the ETJ is also available at City Hall.
Also on Oct. 6:
– Discussion of a mixed beverage referendum, which was listed on the meeting agenda, was tabled at the request of board member Danny Allen. No explanation was given.
– Department heads met with the police chief and fire chief for an operational debriefing in the wake of the Sept. 28 gas leak that forced the evacuation of portions of downtown, said Sylva town Manager Jay Denton.
One problem identified was that firefighters’ and police officers’ communication was hampered by the fact that they didn’t have the same radio channels. That matter is in the process of being corrected, he said.
Denton and Fire Chief Mike Beck met with representatives of PSNC Energy, and the gas company, which is used to handling leaks, indicated town personnel did a good job in coping with the emergency.
– Sylva board members passed a resolution formally approving a hazard mitigation plan. Officials had previously given the proposal their OK, but Jackson County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Ensley needed a resolution to submit to the state’s Emergency Management Office, according to Denton.
– Officials discussed a leaking roof at the town-owned Golden Age Senior Center adjacent to the swimming pool.
Aust showed pictures that indicated roof shingles had been improperly installed and told board members that something would have to be done soon because a major leak is located near the building’s electrical panel.
He also urged officials to consider what use the town might have for the GAC building when county commissioners complete a building at the Webster Complex to house Jackson County’s senior citizen programs. Current plans call for a new senior center to be ready in about two years, Aust said.
– Mayor Brenda Oliver recommended that Sylva not adopt a sister city on the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast. Based on advice from the Local Government Association, Oliver said that Sylva probably cannot directly contribute funds to another town and probably should not spearhead fund-raising efforts either.
“It’s a great idea, but it would stretch our staff too thin,” Oliver said.
– Denton, who started his duties at City Hall a month ago, told board members that town staff members and department heads have been helpful as he adjusts to Sylva government, and that he’s making an effort to call on town merchants.
– Public Works Director Dan Schaeffer said that repairs to Allen Street continue to progress. He expressed appreciation to Aust for his help with the project.
Schaeffer also announced that the planned Mill Street improvements will go to bid next week, with a bid opening scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m.
The work will be bid in “pieces,” he said, in case the town can’t afford to complete the entire project at this time.
According to Schaeffer, concrete prices have risen dramatically since initial plans were completed.
|
