Junkyards remain topic of concern for county

By Lisa Majors-Duff

After presenting commissioners with a petition containing 113 signatures, Pritchett asked that board members find a way to relocate the junkyard at the corner of Skyland Drive and Parris Branch or purchase the property "and restore it to its original pristine condition."

Pritchett also asked that commissioners do whatever is within their power to require that all junkyards along Skyland Drive erect 6 1/2 foot fences and that owners not be allowed to stack vehicles.

"We request these actions be taken within 60 days..." said Pritchett, who first appeared before commissioners in November accompanied by a Haywood County Realtor, who said the junkyard was making it difficult to sell property in the area.

In addition, Pritchett said, the Parris Branch junkyard could be legally classified as an attractive nuisance to children and as such is "clearly a danger to the 511 students at Scotts Creek School, which is located three-eighths of a mile from the lot."

In discussions following Pritchett's presentation, commissioners leaned toward asking their planning board to review junkyard ordinances from around the state and make a recommendation on how they might regulate such establishments.

"I know Buncombe County has an active ordinance," Commissioner Conrad Burrell said. "We could adopt something like this.

"We've got a $12.5 million school up there, and parents and children have to pass this (junkyard) to get to it," he continued. "I think we ought to start working on some type of ordinance."

Chairman Jay Denton reminded the board that a committee of volunteer planners is currently working on a countywide plan to address concerns, including junkyards, brought up during last year's series of "Smart Growth" meetings. In addition, planning board members are reviewing the county's list of ordinances with a goal of recommending changes and updates in the near future.

Junkyards, Denton said, "are not on the back burner. They have come up and they will be addressed."

Echoing Denton's remarks, planning board Chairman Jack Debnam suggested junkyards would best be addressed by the Smart Growth committee.

"One of our recommendations is going to be that administration of some ordinances is going to require additional county employees," said Debnam, addressing Burrell's concern about enforcement options should junkyard regulations be adopted. More employees are going to be required to administer the ordinances already in place, he said.

"I think you'd be wise to wait for Smart Growth," Debnam said.

But waiting may not be prudent, said Pritchett, who continued to push for action, saying the potential for harm to the community's children warranted an immediate move by the board.

"I'd like to take the advise of Mr. Debnam," Denton said. "But we can bring it up at the next meeting as an agenda item if you wish."

As Pritchett left the meeting, another audience member stood to address the board. Fred Tessin, owner of Sylva Salvage, read a prepared statement, in which he pointed out the ways his company benefits the community.

"Where else would junk cars go if not for junkyards?" Tessin asked.

He also pointed out his company's willingness to donate cars to assist the county's emergency agencies practice vehicle rescue techniques. Sylva Salvage has also given cars to the county's high schools so that students could be exposed to drunk driving demonstrations and have access to vehicles in need of repair.

Tessin, who said he would not be opposed to a fence around his business, said Pritchett's claims that fluids leaking from vehicles at Sylva Salvage are polluting Scotts Creek are false.

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