Go to the homepage for the Sylva Herald and Ruralite

County revaluation prompts in-town rezoning requests

By Rose Hooper
The town of Sylva is seeing a move that may be "just the tip of the iceberg," zoning administrator Jim Aust told the board May 4.

Since property owners received their county tax bills following the revaluation, "peoples' eyes have been opened," Aust said.

Most taxpayers received at least a 58 percent increase; some more. What that has promoted, Aust said, is several requests for rezoning within the town limits. Some property owners along N.C. 107 who fall within commercial zoning are requesting to be zoned residential.

The town set a public hearing 6:15 p.m. Thursday, June 1, to hear the requests of Harold and Deloras Hensley, Willa Painter Ensley and Jimmy Moore. The rezoning of Nicol Arms from R-1 residential to B-2 commercial will also be considered at that time.

Also at the May 4 meeting, Joan Stern asked the town board to install a concrete curb in front of her yard and that of her next door neighbor, Christine Howard. Stern, who lives next to the Sylva's Poteet Park, said that since the park renovation, traffic and parking increased.

"It's like a commercial area now, and people park in my front yard," Stern told the board.

Mayor Brenda Oliver asked board member Norma Lee to work with Sylva Police Chief Jeff Jamison on this issue and to have a response by the June board meeting.

On the issue of parking, Vance Hardware owner R.O. Vance asked the board to reinstate the space on Landis Street where he has parked for 36 years. It is now designated as a reserved space for the Sylva Police Department.

"I don't want to take up Main Street parking because that's too important for customers, but I need a parking place that's accessible. I'm always coming and going with service calls, and it's a hardship carrying a heavy tool box," Vance said. His issue was also referred to the street committee and Jamison for a reply by the June meeting.

The board agreed for its attorney, Eric Ridenour, to proceed with legal action against Kirby Ensley, who has not improved his manufactured home park.

"We have made the effort to assist Mr. Ensley in removal of debris and rubbish, but he has not met his requirements. In fact, it appears to be worsening," Aust said. "And our efforts to work with him have not paid off."

Ridenour said, by law, the town has a right to "abate a nuisance... and at the offender's expense."

Back to Archive: 05/11/00.