By Lorraine Bennett
Staff Writer
The Hayesville Town Council Monday threw its support behind the Building Outdoor Communities Program which is forging partnerships to advance outdoor community and economic development work across Clay County and western North Carolina.
Council members voted to approve a community resolution in support of the program’s collaborative efforts, which cuts across jurisdictional lines.
The Clay County Outdoor Initiative is currently working with support from the MADE X MTNS — Made By Mountains — program team, various local organizations, businesses, groups and individuals in developing or connecting more outdoor spaces for recreational purposes.
Mayor Joe Slaton said a purpose of the resolution adopted at Monday’s meeting is to help the group pursue various grants from the state. A show of support from the town and Clay County will help in this pursuit.
Joanna Atkissson, Sandy Zimmerman and representatives from the Clay County Chamber of Commerce, the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association and other groups have held several meetings developing strategies to garner support for local programs.
“This is all based on collaborative partnerships,”Zimmerman told the council. “Maybe it will help get grants from the state.”
Atkisson noted a grant cycle is coming up and “we have to show the support of the town and county.”
Councilman Harry Baughn made the motion to support the resolution. Councilwoman Lauren Tiger offered the second and Councilman Austin Hedden concurred.
Before Monday evening’s meeting began, the council held a public hearing for the purpose of receiving public input on proposed rezoning for Lions Club property at Davis Loop Ext. from R1 (residential) to C2 (commercial).
There was no comment from the public on the rezoning. Tiger made the motion to approve the rezoning. Hedden offered the second.
The council discussed a variety of issues but took no immediate action. These included:
• Establishment of an ATM machine near Town Hall. This project is in the works with the hope it could come to fruition before the town’s summer events are in full swing.
• Proposing a street-scape for the alley previously used as a drive-through for the Clay County Water Department. The alley is located between the Clay County Progress and Attorney Paul Lipoff’s office.
• The purchase of a speaker’s platform to be used for local events that require an announcer. The council entertained purchase of such a platform from a company in Ohio but found the cost plus shipping to be astronomical. They agreed to check local sources for a more reasonable alternative.
In other action the council voted to reappoint Theresa Holbrook and Betty Schopp as alternate members of the Board of Adjustment. Both women’s current terms are expiring in June.
In his report, Slaton said he was watching two proposals moving in the N.C. State Legislature. One would do away with extra-territorial jurisdictions and another would permit dwelling units up to the size of any existing house to be built on a single family lot.
Slaton said one had passed the N.C. State Senate and the other had passed the House. If these become law they would take away control from some local zoning ordinances, he said.
In public comment, Zimmerman said work on the Old Town Hall is almost completed and a ribbon cutting is planned for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18.
She said a new location for goods for the annual Trash to Treasure sale is pending and should be announced soon and the Historic Hayesville Inc. Centennial Exhibit on Sanderson Street should be ready to open by Memorial Day.