Hayesville Town Council looked a little different without Mayor Harry Baughn’s presence, but Hayesville Town Council Chair, Joe Slaton, served as mayor protempore for the meeting. Two major items of unfinished business, along with only two new business items, helped the meeting end in less than 40 minutes.
A public hearing about proposed town rezoning issues brought no public comment against the proposed changes. Held just prior to the council meeting, the council discussed the changes during the hearing, then voted unanimously to approve all of them once the town council meeting began. The major changes were to rezone Creekside Plaza and the ABC Store from C-1 to C-2. These two buildings are owned independently of each other. The BRMEMC substation was also changed completely to C-2, but it had been zoned R-1.
The vote changed 18 Creekside Circle and 48 Creekside Circle from C-1 to C-2 and it changed BRMEMC 1.96 acres from C-2 and R-1 to all C-2. Part of the motions recognized the rezoning as consistent with Hayesville’s Land Development Plan. Zoning Administrator George Schaaf said the spot zoning needed to be changed anyway because it is not legal.
Many changes were basic text amendments to the planning and zoning book, which will not all be listed here. The book will be reprinted with the zoning changes included. The changes had been recommended by the Planning and Zoning Board over the course of several months.
For new business, the Town of Hayesville adopted a proclamation officially calling the week of October 23-31 Red Ribbon Week. Representing the prevention coalition, People of Clay CARE, Harold Holbrook and I explained the importance of Red Ribbon Week. The Red Ribbon campaign began in 1988 in honor of DEA agent Kiki Camarena, who was kidnapped and murdered in 1985 while on assignment in Mexico. His friends and family began the remembrance in his hometown, but it became a national effort within a few years and is now the longest running drug prevention effort in the country. Using the symbol of the red ribbon, communities make a stand against drugs and commit to a drug-free lifestyle in a visible way. A red ribbon was presented to Hayesville Town Clerk Susan Morgan for the door of town hall and businesses in town will be encouraged to display red ribbons
. For other new business, Kirsten Gleaves and Paul Price presented an update on the Beal Center and Historic Courthouse Square. Price said the courthouse lawn looks good, partly because there have been few events. They said the organization will continue to follow all social distancing guidelines but has some reservations. They also shared the impact of COVID on the event center with several highlights:
• During the down time, several projects have been done in the building, including restocking the gift shop with wares from local artists and creation of a self-guided tour.
• Gleaves has been certified in Serv-Safe for food and beverage service. She also a public health initiative course for safe and sanitary business reopening.
• There have only been five events this year, with three small rental events inside the building since March. The courtroom may now be rented to events with less than 50 people.
• To help the community, the fee to rent the gazebo and grounds was lowered from $100 to a flat fee of $25.
• Public events and nonprofit events continue to reserve the square at no cost. An application must be made with the office and proof of insurance must be shown. Permission is also required from the mayor, sheriff, fire and rescue, if applicable, and a CCCRA executive member.
• The Beal Center Conference Room currently has a Blue Ridge Craft Trails Exhibit. There are two kiosks showing the craft trail and artists throughout western North Carolina. There are also works by Joe Waldroup and David Goldhagen.
During his zoning administrator report, Schaaf said both planning and zoning and the board of adjustment are full. P & Z will meet Thursday, Oct. 15, but the Hayesville Board of Adjustment has canceled the November meeting because there are no pending applications. S l a t o n p r o v i d e d t h e mayor’s report on behalf of Baughn. There has been some legal response on actions being taken against property owners in violation of town ordinances.
The new quilt sculpture will be in place soon, probably within two to three weeks. The American Legion has restriped the parking in front of the Veterans’ monument and the mayor suggested the council consider doing other areas. Sandy Zimmerman shared news from Historic Hayesville, Inc. during public comment. The annual Trash to Treasure sale has been successful and clearance prices are in effect. Proceeds will go to restoration of the Old Town Hall, a joint project between HHI, CCCRA and CCHAC.
In addition, Historic Hayesville, Inc, is working with the Beal Center and CCCRA to hold a Shop Small Business event the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. More information will be publicized soon. Hayesville Town Council meets at Hayesville Town Hall at 5:30 pm the second Monday of each month. To enforce social distancing, all meetings held at Hayesville Town Hall require attendees to wear masks.