Environmental concerns dominate county's fifth Smart Growth session

By Lynn Hotaling

Some 65 people, including about 20 Western Carolina University students, offered their opinions during the two-hour session held at the Justice Center.

A joint effort of Jackson County's commissioners, Economic Development Commission and county municipalities, Smart Growth is an initiative proposed last year by former Gov. Jim Hunt that encourages counties across the state to take a critical look at themselves with an eye toward future development.

Preserving the county's natural beauty and rural character was the first item mentioned as something to be preserved, and it was the one that drew the most votes when the assembled crowd marked their preferences with blue, red and green stickers.

The next highest vote totals went to preserving the quality of the county's water supply and preserving the area's history and traditions. Rounding out the top vote-getters were maintaining the county's independent businesses and developing eco-tourism and cultural tourism.

Other things about the county listed as things to preserve included diversity of the people; high quality of the local school system; WCU and Southwestern Community College as resources; downtown Sylva's business district; recreation opportunities; Judaculla Rock; and the integrity of the railroad right of way.

With regard to things those present would like to change about the county, the top vote-getter was more pedestrian options, which included development of trails, sidewalks and greenways. Another top priority was the development of a county land use plan with ³teeth² for enforcement of regulations.

A related item that received a number of votes called for a community-developed set of guidelines for development that would not necessarily be backed by law. The idea would be to have clear guidelines to offer developers to indicate the wishes of community residents and hope that new businesses would be willing to comply.

Coming in third was the need for Jackson County to change to a more diverse economy with higher-paying jobs that might help retain the county's educated youth.

Other changes people would like to see included alleviating traffic congestion; pursuing a loop road around Sylva; reducing litter and eliminating illegal dumps; requiring some type of visual barrier around eyesores such as automobile junkyards; expanding youth recreation opportunities, especially on Friday and Saturday nights; pursuing reduction of solid waste and alternatives to landfills; improved facilities for seniors; adding bicycle lanes to existing roads and developing bike trails; cleaning up Scotts Creek, especially in the downtown area; and incentives to encourage businesses to occupy existing space before building new buildings.

All comments were recorded and will become part of the comprehensive report that will be issued after all community meetings are concluded this spring.

The next scheduled Smart Growth meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, at the Qualla Fire Department.

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