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Sylva leaders discuss ETJ, Bridge Park
By Emily Elders
Discussion of extending the town’s zoning control over a portion of Allens Branch continued during last week’s (Sept 7) Sylva board meeting.
Action on the proposed Allens Branch extra-territorial jurisdiction will not be taken until after a planned Thursday, Oct. 5, public hearing.
A presentation board was available in the lobby of Sylva’s city hall to show residents what actions have been taken so far towards implementing the proposed ETJ that would include 29 parcels off Allens Branch Road.
The ordinance would allow Sylva to extend its zoning regulations to the area, though affected residents would not pay town taxes or receive town services. The proposed ETJ would include almost 253 acres.
Impacted property owners have already received notice of the town’s plans. Letters sent out by town Planning Director Jim Aust notified residents both of the public hearing and of the consequences should board members proceed with enacting the ETJ.
Board member Danny Allen, who was not present at an earlier meeting when the ETJ was discussed, raised a few questions about the ETJ proposal.
“I’m not trying to attack the issue, but I am at a loss as to why this is even necessary,” he said. “I just want to know what justifies this action.”
Board member Harold Hensley admitted to having voted for the proposal simply because it was presented by a group of residents at the Aug. 17 meeting.
“It made a difference that they were so concerned about the area,” said Hensley. “The simple fact is that hardly anyone shows up with something we can vote for – they only come when they are against something.”
Board member Stacy Knotts agreed.
“It’s often hard for people to get to our meetings, since we meet mostly in the mornings on workdays. The fact that they showed up here to ask us for our help makes a difference. We want to help protect this area from development that is inconsistent with the current residential neighborhood,” she said.
Sylva board members usually meet the first Thursday evening and third Thursday morning of each month.
Allen and board member Ray Lewis both questioned the actual history behind such an ordinance. No one could determine Thursday night whether any permits had been issued for development in the affected area, but town Manager Jay Denton said he would check before the next meeting.
Vice Mayor Maurice Moody, who has consistently spoken in favor of the proposed ETJ, owns several parcel in the area it would encompass. His sister, Kyra Davis, also owns property there, according to a legal advertisement in this week’s Herald.
In other business Sept. 7:
– Officials unanimously approved the conceptual design of the Bridge Park Project and increased the area of its lawn and gardens by about 30 percent. The project would utilize a portion of the town’s Railroad Avenue parking lot and enhance the efforts of town officials, who have already begun plans for a footbridge across Scotts Creek to Poteet Park.
Additional improvements planned include a covered performance pavilion, a grassy area for seating, a public garden, and better parking areas for downtown visitors.
Bridge Park Project organizer Sarah Graham summed up the group’s efforts so far and gave town board members a brief summary of the goals for the park. She also showed them a preliminary sketch of the pavilion and parking areas.
“What Ms. Graham is looking for, I think, is for us to ‘bless the concept’ so they can continue working on the fund-raising they have set for October,” said Moody, who presided in the absence of Mayor Brenda Oliver.
However, Lewis suggested a few changes first.
“This drawing shows an awful lot of parking,” he said. “It doesn’t seem to me there’s quite enough grass.”
Graham agreed with Lewis, but said she and her committee had done their best to make the parking the focal point of the planning. “We’re just grateful to the town for its support and for the use of the space to build the park,” she said. “We recognize that one of the town’s goals is to improve parking downtown, and we didn’t want to interfere with that.”
Lewis recommended extending the original pavilion space by allowing 14 planned parking spaces to be converted into lawn space.
“Those 14 spaces won’t make that much of a difference, and we need to keep the focus on the performances and the pavilion itself,” said Lewis.
Board members agreed to meet with the BPP’s planning committee this month to discuss other concepts and approve any changes to the concept. A fund-raiser for the project is planned Saturday, Oct. 28, at the site.
– Unfinished business included amendments to the town’s personnel policy, which were approved unanimously.
Action had been postponed until employees could complete a workshop with a lawyer specializing in workforce law and sexual harassment.
Changes include stronger language in Article III of the policy, in order to make it more difficult for those given probation for sexual harassment to return to their former pay range. The amendments also establish a schedule of contacts for those who feel they are victims of sexual harassment, and includes language requiring those victims to speak up for themselves.
“If we don’t know about it, we can’t fix it, so I think it should be included,” said Hensley, who pushed for the amendments. “We need to let people know they’ve got a way out of any situation without fear of recrimination.”
– Sylva resident Marie Leatherwood took the board to task on issues relating to the distribution of town funds.
Moody told her that she would have to be brief since the session had already stretched past the length of a typical meeting.
Leatherwood responded by saying that it was impossible to cover the facts effectively with a 10- to 15-minute time limit, but said she would try to keep her speech short.
Among other things, she requested better maintenance of the streets in Sylva residential areas, including storm drains and new paving.
She acknowledged the help of town staff in answering her questions and said she appreciated the information she had been given, even though state law required them to provide the information.
After approximately 30 minutes, Moody, who had interruped Leatherwood’s comments several times, concluded the discussion.
– Last week’s first order of business was a closed session for Denton’s annual performance as town manager. Denton remained with board members for most of the closed portion.
– Board members approved the declaration of National Hispanic Heritage Month within Sylva city limits from Friday, Sept. 15, through Saturday, Oct. 15. The national theme this year, also adopted by Sylva officials, is “A Time to Honor Contributions and Achievements.”
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
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