Sylva's town leaders OK zoning changes

By Lynn Hotaling

After a public hearing during which two people spoke, members of Sylva's town board voted to follow recommendations from its planning board and change the zoning classifications of all three parcels.

Zoning for the first parcel, owned by Melvin Bryson and located on N.C. 107 at Citrus Drive, was changed from commercial to residential by a 3-2 vote. Board members Maurice Moody and Eldon Cabe cast the two "no" votes, while members Audrey Tritt, Norma Lee and Lynda Sossamon supported the change.

Moody contended that because the property fronts the highway, it should remain commercial. "We might be setting a precedent if we rezone one parcel. I don't see why we should rezone it," Moody said.

The planning board based its decision on the property's topography, which they said is unsuitable for commercial development and on providing Bryson some tax relief, said Jim Aust, town zoning administrator. Currently there are four residential dwellings on the parcel.

Moody said he agreed with the planning board's assessment of the property except with regard to its reclassification.

"Neighbors could make the same request," he said. "There are several that front the highway that are zoned commercial."

As to the tax issue, Moody said he had discussed the matter with Jackson County Tax Assessor Cecil Dills, who indicated rezoning would not reduce Bryson's tax bill.

Dills confirmed Moody's statement and said it is unlikely Bryson's taxes would be reduced due to the zoning change. Bryson has already been granted a reduction in his assessment by the county's Board of Equalization and Review based on the topography of his property rather than its zoning classification, Dills said Monday.

Several factors affect the way property values are assessed for tax purposes, Dills said. "We need to value property at its highest and best use. It's not correct to value property at its present use," Dills said. "Property owners can seek rezoning every year. We don't want to change values back and forth."

The second zoning change, approved unanimously, reclassified a parcel from residential to commercial in spite of an objection by a neighboring property owner.

At issue was the status of a tract owned by Richard Mason and Joyce Roberts on Walter Ashe Road behind Macon Bank. Nearby land owner Ralph Triplette maintained that the town should leave the tract residential property in order to preserve the historically residential character of the road.

The planning board based its recommendation on the fact that the Mason/Roberts tract adjoins commercial property and therefore could properly be reclassified.

Triplette's concerns included the narrowness of Walter Ashe Road and the bottleneck increased traffic would cause.

The final zoning decision, also unanimous, changed the classification of property across from Harris Regional Hospital from government/institutional to B-2 business, which would allow commercial development and retail outlets on the tract owned by Jomed Development Corp.

With the B-2 classification, said Ralph Allison, a local real estate broker who represents Jomed, the property could be used not only for development to enhance the hospital but also for other business.

"What we do would only enhance Sylva," Allison said. "That's the first major entrance to our town."

Back to Archive: 04/12/01.