By Lorraine Bennett
Staff Writer
Hayesville Board of Adjustments chair Sara Smith has announced her departure from that board and the town of Hayesville is seeking a replacement, Hayesville Mayor Joe Slaton said Monday.
Slaton announced Smith's leaving at Monday evening's Town Council meeting. He noted Smith's long service and said he hopes to have suggestions to fill her board seat by the council's next meeting in October. An alternate to the board is a county position that also needs to be filled, he said.
Some knowledge of zoning matters would be helpful but experience is not necessary, Slaton said. He noted that realtors and contractors have served on the board in the past. The board holds meetings as needed on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at Town Hall. It operates separately from the Hayesville Planning and Zoning Board, which meets the first Tuesday during odd numbered months.
The Board of Adjustments is a quasi-judicial body whereas the Planning and Zoning Board is not. Quasi-judicial means board members are sworn in and can interpret the law. Generally, such boards have a partly judicial character and have the right to hold hearings and conduct investigations into disputed claims.
At Monday's council meeting board members also discussed a memorandum of understanding between the town and Fat Dog Sports Bar and Grill at 82 Main Street in downtown Hayesville. The owners wants to glass in a portion of the restaurant's porch near the street to abate the noise.
Because a glass enclosure would be more permanent than a screened-in porch, doors to the sidewalk would have to remain open, the mayor said.
A memorandum of understanding is an agreement between two parties that indicates a common line of action but does not imply a legal commitment. The council took no action on the matter.
The council reported no update on the feral cat project. The members earlier approved $2,000 to help fund the project, which entails cages, trapping and veterinarian services.
Zoning Administrator April England reported to the board that a request to rezone 928 Waldroup Road from R2 (residential) to C2 (commercial) had been approved and a zoning compliance certificate also had been issued to Jacky Jones. An attached garage to a building on Qualla Road also was approved.
Historic Hayesville, Inc.'s Sandy Zimmerman said the annual Steins & Wine event on the square will be held Saturday, Sept. 20. Tickets are $10 if purchased in advance, or $15 if bought upon entry.
So far, at least 10 vendors have signed on to participate, she said. In the future she said the event will be held the first weekend in October.