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Sylva OKs new zoning ordinance
By Emily Elders
After months of debate, Sylva officials passed a zoning overlay that will allow higher-density housing with a 4-1 vote Thursday (March 1).
Board member Maurice Moody cast the one “no” vote against the residential planned unit development overlays, which have been in the works since last September.
“I just think we may be damaging the traditional communities,” he said. Moody has expressed doubts about the proposal on several occasions since its first recommendation by the planning board in October.
Board members Stacy Knotts, Danny Allen, Ray Lewis and Harold Hensley voted in favor of the RPUD, which is similar in scope to the multi-use PUD which is already in place.
The ordinance will allow the town to lay out higher-density areas, based on a developer’s application, without creating a specific district. Anyone wishing to exceed the existing limits of the R-1, R-2 or R-3 districts must meet criteria from the planning director before petitioning for an overlay on a particular parcel. At that point, town officials have almost complete control over the character, appearance, and standards for the development, including open-space requirements, building aesthetics and sidewalk construction.
“This really gives the town a say in what kind of developments we’re putting in here, and allows the board members to keep growth in line with their goals,” said Planning Director Jim Aust.
The three-page RPUD ordinance will be added to the town’s existing MPUD ordinance, which in about 20 pages details the requirements for multi-use (both residential and commercial) developments like the previously planned Grindstaff Cove community.
– In other business March 1:
– Officials completed appointments to the planning board with their unanimous approval of Jim Corbin. Along with newcomers Lisa Lovedahl and Karl Nicholas, the five-member board includes Boyd Sossamon Jr. and Milt Wofford. Though no planning committee meetings are being held until further notice of required actions, planning board members will join Sylva’s town board at a work session Thursday, March 15, which will follow the town’s regularly scheduled 9:15 a.m. meeting.
The work session, which town Manager Jay Denton said had been finalized recently, is to discuss land-use planning and zoning ordinances with a representative from the Division of Community Assistance. A follow-up work session for the two boards will be Wednesday, March 28, at 10 a.m.
– A petition for voluntary annexation was certified by town Clerk Brandi Ashe and a public hearing on the annexation was set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5, prior to the board’s regularly scheduled 7 p.m. meeting.
The request came from Seth Medlin of Medlin Properties, who wants the town to annex two parcels just off Conner Road that total 3 acres.
– A proclamation recognizing the women’s basketball team at Smoky Mountain High School for their success thus far in the playoffs was approved. At Allen’s request, a proclamation will also be drawn up to recognize the men’s team for their first playoff win in more than a decade.
“Both teams did well this year, and I think it’s important that we recognize that the men had an excellent season also,” he said. By consensus, the board agreed to draft the new proclamation.
– Mayor Brenda Oliver handed out some worksheets from a class she attended at the Institute of Government detailing expectations and requirements for board members, mayors, managers and other employees when interacting at work. She said she’d like to discuss the details of the workshop she attended during the board’s spring retreat, which they will schedule at their next meeting.
– A budget work session will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 29, to make up for the zoning workshop being held after the second-Thursday meeting.
– The next regular meeting will be held at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, March 15, at Town Hall.
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