by H. M. "Chuck" Place III, AICP

Commercial Zoning Proposal

On December 1, 1998, the Zoning and Planning Board recommended approval of a comprehensive overhaul of the C-1 commercial district and the inclusion of a new government use district. This recommendation was predi-cated on their desire to tailor commercial zoning to the needs of specific areas rather than the "one-size-fits-all" type now in existence and their belief that a specific district is needed to provide for government and public uses. The new commercial districts were intended to replace the existing C-1.

Council agreed with the proposal and adopted the new districts on February 9, 1999. This action created the "CN", "CG, ‘CTC", and "GU" districts, but did not apply them to any land. Over the past year, the staff and Zoning and Planning Board have reviewed the zoning map and determined which parcels should be zoned to each of the new classifications. The result of this study will be heard at a public hearing during council’s next meeting on April 11. All land now zoned C-1 will be rezoned to one or another of the new districts and most town owned land will be rezoned GU. In addition, one existing, non-conforming commercial use is proposed to be rezoned from residential to neighborhood commercial.

To help you understand what these districts mean, they are summarized below.

1. "CG" (Commercial, General) - This district will replace most of the existing C-1. It is almost identical to the C-1 except that the current 35' front setback will be reduced to 10'. There are few places along Highway 64/74A that are deep enough for this large setback and still have much room for a building. Rather than require this larger setback, a 10 foot setback will allow a developer to place the required parking in the best location (front, side or rear, or some combination), instead of forcing it to be in the front obstructing the view of the building and almost guaranteeing driveway openings the full width of the lot. Signs will be allowed within the front yard rather than having to be set back 35' from the right-of-way.

2. "CN" (Commercial, Neighborhood) - This is a more limited use district intended to provide basic retail and service needs for a residential neighborhood. It is limited in size to a two acre maximum area. The intent is that this district would be appropriate within a residential area while the CG would not. The Apple Valley Market and Sunny Daze Store (currently non-conforming) have both been recommended for this district.

3. "CTC" (Commercial, Town Center) - This district will apply to the "town center" which includes the Arcade Building and the Lake Lure Inn. Uses are much the same as for C-1 except that single family dwellings will not be allowed and multi-family will only be allowed above the first floor. None of the conditional uses in C-1 are allowed. There are no required yards (new structures could be set right to the property line just like the existing Arcade), and, rather than being restricted to on-site parking only, on-street or other public parking will count towards the minimum required number of spaces. Since this district will be so limited in application, the maximum height is increased to accommodate the existing structures so they will not be non-conforming and to encourage the eventual construction of the second commercial block west of the Arcade.

4. "GU" (Government Use) - This district will apply to all land where national, state or local governmental activities are conducted and where the government holds title to those lands. Uses will include parks; playgrounds; government administrative, meeting and support facilities; and similar public facilities. Included will be the community center site, the beach, the golf course, the dam site, and the like.

Unfortunately, there was some confusion about the date of the hearing, however, it will be on April 11th. If you have any general questions or you would like to know how this affects your property, please call Interim Zoning Administrator Lee Jenson at extension 107 on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays. He will be happy to help you.

Boat Permits

Apparently, some folks are not sure when they must get their new boat permits. Quite a number of boaters have received warnings or citations from our police department for being on the lake without their 2000 permit. These permits went into effect on January 1. Please make sure your boat is properly registered before you take it out this spring.

Fishing Limits

After an initial flurry of complaints last month after council adopted the new fish size and creel limits, most people now agree that the limits are appropriate. A lot of the concern was about the new 10" minimum size for crappies. According to published reports, crappies are relatively slow-growing and short lived, seldom surviving more than four to eight years. They usually attain a length of seven to 11 inches by three years and ten to 14 inches at four years. Unless crappie can reach a length of ten inches within four years, they will not produce good fishing. Nationwide, the average crappie caught is three years old, about ten to 12 inches long and weighs about one pound.

The new rules will be published in the updated Lake Regulations pamphlet that will be available in April at Town Hall, the town’s marina, the Dam Marina, Lake Lure Hardware, the welcome center and other locations around town.

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TOWN EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Employee of the month Anita Taylor has been with the Town of Lake Lure since September 1987. Anita's present position with the Town is Customer Services Supervisor and Deputy Town Clerk. Her duties are varied and numerous. Anita is a graduate of Isothermal Community College and attended Gardner Webb University. She also has maintained her Clerk's Certification by attending sessions at the Institute of Government. She became a Certified Municipal Clerk in 1993. She goes beyond the call of duty in helping the many people who come through the Town Hall. Anita resides on Cove Road with her husband Spencer and their son Brandon. In addition, Anita is a first responder, secretary, and a member of the Shingle Hollow Fire Department. She received her EMT certification January 1996. Thank you Anita for the many things that you do for us.

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TOWN COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

REGULAR MEETING: The regular town council meeting was held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2000. Under the "consent agenda," Council approved the minutes of February 8, 2000 (regular and closed session meeting) and March 7, 2000 (special meeting).

In other activities, Town Council:

* scheduled a public hearing on April 11, 2000 to rezone all C-1 property to one of three new districts, to rezone the Sunny Daze Country Store from R-3 to CN (Commercial, Neighborhood), and to rezone certain Town owned property to GU (Government Use).

* approved a request from the Dixie Rodders to: (1) hold a 16th annual car show July 14-15, 2000 on town property, (2) rent the town community center along with the grassy area behind and adjacent to the building which extends toward the town marina, (3) suspended the town peddling ordinance to allow the club to sell t-shirts and other vendors to sell food and car parts, and (4) suspended the town alcohol ordinance during this event (July 14-15,2000);

* approved a request from the Lake Lure Lakefront Owners Association to reserve the Lake Lure community hall in the municipal building on July 7, 2000 to hold their annual meeting from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and suspend the town ordinance prohibiting alcoholic beverages during the time of this meeting;

* approved a request from Camp Care (non-profit organization for children with cancer) to waive the weekly boat permit fee on June 3-10,2000;

* approved a request from the Edneyville Boy Scout Troop #605 (non-profit organization) to waive the boat and canoe permit fees;

* approved a request from the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber to: (1) hold a dogwood festival May 6-7, 2000 on town property located in front of the Lake Lure arcade building; (2) allow the use of the town community center along with the grassy area behind and adjacent to the building which extends toward the town marina during the time of this festival; (3) permit police participation for the parade being held on Saturday, May 6th at 12 noon; (4) suspend the town peddling ordinance in order to sell crafts and food during the festival; and (5) suspend the town ordinance prohibiting alcoholic beverages during business after hours being held at the town community center on March 28, 2000;

* approved a request from Drexel University to waive the boat and rowing shell fees during March 18-25, 2000 for a training camp at Fairfield Mountains Resort;

* adopted Resolution No. 00-03-14 (Declaring a 1977 Ford F-350 mini-pumper and a 1986 Ford F-250 4x4 pick-up truck as surplus and authorizing the town manager to dispose of same);

* approved appraisals for three parcels of town property prepared by Al Mellnick of Forest City and declared them as surplus. See page 5 for additional information.

* heard citizen concerns from Ruth Peck regarding the Lake Lure Police Department; and

* approved the allocation of $501 for the Lake Lure Police Department regarding lease and delivery fees for a police motorcycle.

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING: Town Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, March 7, 2000, 9:30 a.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center for the purpose of discussing the Lake Lure Municipal Golf Course business report of January 12, 1999. Following discussion, Council accepted the golf course business report as presented and authorized implementation. They further, directed the town manager to develop a plan for implementing needed high priority physical changes, such as additional water supply, including items which can be accomplished within the existing budget which does not require further Town Council authorization.

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COMMUNITY POLICING NEWS

It is with great pleasure that I announce to you that the Lake Lure Police Department will soon receive a new Harley-Davidson police motorcycle as a donation. Carolina Harley-Davidson in Gastonia has offered to donate a new police motorcycle to the Town of Lake Lure, yearly, for the sum of $1.00. The owner/operator of the business, "Click" Baldwin, is a lakefront property owner in Lake Lure and has expressed this offer in the furtherance of community policing efforts currently underway in the town.

It is our opinion that the utilization of the donated police motorcycle will enhance community policing efforts in this highly favored area for motorcycle enthusiasts. We also feel it will enhance further efforts in reaching our youth and visiting tourists by making officers even more approachable throughout the community.

The introduction of a police motorcycle to the police department will come relatively easily in that one of our officers is a certified Harley-Davison technician. Community Officer "A.J." Fox previously served as the shop supervisor of Gene Lummus Harley-Davidson outside of Asheville. Fox also assisted in the introduction of police motorcycles to the N.C. Highway Patrol several years ago, which has been a large and cost-saving experience in the Raleigh-Durham area. Hopefully, Fox - a Harley owner himself, can turn this donation into a cost saving additional resource for the department with relative ease.

PROTECTION PROGRAM

By Pamela Pyles, Erosion Control Specialist

What is a Riparian Buffer?

The UBRWP Program wears many hats. We provide a cost share program to help stop existing soil erosion problems, provide a low interest loan up to 50% of erosion control costs at new construction sites, provide streambank restoration, and riparian conservation easements (RCE).

A riparian buffer is streamside planting of trees, shrubs, and grasses. This forested streamside habitat maintains a stable streambank and protects downstream property by slowing down floodwaters and rainwater runoff. Riparian buffers improve water quality and provide habitat for wildlife and aquatic life. Stream front property owners may participate in a conservation easement that will be maintained as a riparian buffer. A riparian conservation easement is a legal agreement with the property owner that protects a specified width of property bordering the streambank and always remains in the ownership of the property owner. The RCE may be donated or purchased. A donated easement allows the property owner to become eligible to receive federal and state income tax benefits.

The UBRWP Program provides technical advice and assistance that are free and non-regulatory. The goal of the UBRWP Program is protecting soil and water resources in the Upper Broad River Watershed. Please call Pamela Pyles at (828) 625-9983, ext. 123 for program information.

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General: Samples were collected on January 22nd. It had snowed during the days prior to monitoring, but the snow had not yet melted. No lake samples were collected. In the winter, once the lake water reaches equal temperature throughout, the water constantly mixes and remains well oxygenated. Monitoring conditions is less important at this time.

The Broad River watershed: Ten sites are monitored monthly. These include one site each on the Broad River, Hickory Creek, and Reedypatch Creek which all flow into the Rocky Broad River at Bat Cave, two sites on the Rocky Broad River at Chimney Rock and at Lake Lure, and one site each at Pool Creek, Cane Creek, the Public Golf Course Creek, Buffalo Creek, and Fairfield Mountains Creek. All of the latter sites are located just upstream from Lake Lure.

The stream waters ran clear and cold during this monitoring event. Only one site showed some water quality problems. The site on the Public Golf Course stream showed slightly elevated turbidity levels (poor water clarity) and slightly elevated ammonia-nitrogen concentra-tions. All other sites showed excellent water quality.

The VWIN program has also begun collecting samples during storm events for analysis of sediment concentrations. It should be noted that, during the last couple of months of analysis, sediment concentrations have been extremely high at a downstream site on Flat Creek ( a tributary of the Broad River). Concentrations have also been elevated at the most downstream site on Reedypatch Creek and at the Cane Creek site.

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LAKE LURE GOLF COURSE NEWS

By Golf Course Manager Charles Caldwell

Leave an opening on your calendar for April 29-30, 2000. There will be a member -- member two man best ball tournament. May the best team win! The Lake Lure Municipal Golf Course will also offer "Captains Choice" on Friday evenings beginning as soon as the days get longer. This will include nine holes of golf starting around 5:30 p.m. If you have a special event coming up and would like to make a request for the golf course to be a part of it, please contact us at 828-625-4472.

The Town of Lake Lure wishes to sell three parcels of commercially zoned property within the town limits which have been declared surplus to the town’s needs.

Parcel 1 is a .27 acre (11,662 sq. ft.) tract across US 64/74A (Memorial Highway) from the Lake Lure public beach, adjacent to property being developed by Terrence Duffy. The parcel is steep and wooded, but has direct access to Memorial Highway. Municipal water and sewer are available in the immediate area. This vacant property is zoned C-1 as of this date and is proposed to be rezoned to CG (Commercial, General). It has a new survey and is appraised at $14,100.

Parcel 2 is a 2.43 acre (105,662 sq. ft.) tract on the northwest corner of NC Highway 9 and Girl Scout Road. The parcel is flat and cleared and has direct access to Highway 9. Municipal sewer is available within .4 miles. This vacant property is zoned C-1 as of this date and is proposed to be rezoned to CG (Commercial, General). It has a new survey and is appraised at $78,500.

Parcel 3 is a 3.76 acre (163,805 sq. ft.) tract on the southwest corner of NC Highway 9 and Girl Scout Road. The parcel has direct access to Highway 9 and is flat and cleared near Girl Scout Road while the remainder is rolling and wooded. Municipal sewer is available within .5 miles. This vacant property is zoned C-1 as of this date and is proposed to be rezoned to CG (Commercial, General). It has a new survey and is appraised at $76,100.

The council has authorized the sale of these parcels in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 160A, Article 12. This statute provides for sale of real property by negotiated offer and advertisement for upset bid. For additional information regarding these parcels and the process for submitting a bid, contact Town Manager H. M. Place III or Finance Director Sam Karr at 828-625-9983. The deadline for submittal of the initial bids is May 1, 2000.

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$383,222 $348,028 $35,194 10%

$18,951 $8,087 $10,804 134%

Profit on retail sales $16,000

Police protection 398

Alcohol education 557

Total $16,966

An additional $6,030 was paid to the Town of Lake Lure for rent.

Taxes paid to the state of North Carolina and Rutherford County amounted to $90,287.

To those visitors and newcomers who may be unfamiliar with the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control laws, the basic state statute prohibits the "sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages except as authorized by the state." Package sales may be authorized for municipalities by a referendum and an ABC store can then be established. Due primarily to amendments and special local needs, the law may vary between municipalities.

To give some idea of the size of the state system, there are 395 ABC stores and total sales were $409,829,200 for the fiscal year of 1999.

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NEWS AROUND LAKE LURE

Lake Lure Newcomers invite those who are new residents in Lake Lure (24 months or less) to join them in various activities which include: potluck, gourmet, out'n about, theater, bridge/poker, book club, and hiking. Anyone interested in becoming a member, call Fred Noble or Jeanine Noble at 828-625-8706.

Garden Club "Road Trip". The Mountains Garden Club will travel to Pearson's Falls on Friday, April 7. It is located just off Route 176 between Tryon and Saluda. (Note the meeting date has been changed as the wildlife preserve and sanctuary is closed on Mondays). The cost is $5.00. This will include the admission plus a simple picnic lunch of a sandwich, soda, and cookies. Everyone should plan to arrive at the park at 11 a.m. It is an easy 45-minute drive from Lake Lure. We will be taking our "sack lunches" and hiking up to the beautiful waterfalls. Lunch can be anywhere along the trail. The Glen Trail is one-quarter mile of easy walking with a fenced railing for safety and lovely views from stone bridges. It is a local treasure spot where people come from all over the world to enjoy the spring wildflowers that bloom in abundance. For reservations (a must if you want a lunch!) and car pooling coordination, call Nancy McNary 625-1024 (or e-mail, mcnary@blueridge.net) by Wednesday, April 5th.

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For  comments about the operations of the Lake Lure Tours, call 625-0077.

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Note: The deadline for newsletter articles to be received at Town Hall for the May issue is April 19, 2000.

The Fairfield Mountains Volunteer Fire Department is proud of their accomplishments. They now have twenty-eight volunteer firemen listed on their roster who operate two Class A Fire Stations with eight trucks. Also, they are the only Fire Department operating in the corporate limits of Lake Lure. The Town of Lake Lure contracts fire protection service from Fairfield Mountains VFD, Bills Creek VFD and Chimney Rock VFD. The Fairfield Mountains VFD are always seeking new members including both men and women (must be at least 18 years of age). There is a need for more volunteers to help with jobs at the fire scene. These jobs don't all require putting on an airpak and going into a burning building. In addition, to fighting fires, the Fairfield Mountains VFD respond to searches for lost people, set up shelters when necessary during severe weather, and assist the EMS when needed. They also have a scuba diving team, two experienced people who are search and rescue dog handlers, and people who are certified in swift water rescue. There is a lot more to being a volunteer firefighter than fighting fires. If you are new to the area or have been here a while and would like to help out in the community, consider becoming a volunteer firefighter. You may contact Fire Chief Gary Wilson at 828-625-4410 or Lake Lure Fire Coordinator Ron Morgan at 828-625-9333.