From Staff Reports

BLACK MOUNTAIN ó Despite support from several members of the business community, the Black Mountain Board of Aldermen voted 3-2 on Nov. 12 to reject a request by emulsion manufacturer Hammaker East to raise the building-height limit in the townís I-2 zoning district from 35 to 50 feet.

Aldermen Rosalie Phillips and Joan Brown voted in favor of the change.

Planning Director Elizabeth Teague and Planning Board Chair Ames Tryon urged the board to approve the request, saying that the increased height is necessary to allow the types of uses being conducted in the district.

Hammaker had sought the change to allow the company to increase the height of its two storage tanks. Currently, the tanks are 35 feet tall.

However, with 48-foot tanks, the company could increase both the storage capacity and the flow of materials from the tank, making the business more economically viable, the companyís regional manager, Brook Statler, said.

Furthermore, the Pennsylvania-based company said it hoped the change would allow it to meet production levels it hopes to meet by next year in order to pursue state contracts that go out for bid in March.

Witnout the higher height limit, Hammaker likely will have to have a crew working around the clock to do so, Statler said.

The boardís vote could be changed next month if it is placed on the December agenda. Alderman-elect Ruth Brandon, who attended the Nov. 12 meeting, said she would have supported the change.

And Alderman Chuck McKeown said he would reconsider the proposed height change after futher consideration.

In other action, the board:

ï Unanimously voted to appoint a panel to review preliminary state flood insurance rate maps and to hire an engineer to assist in verifying the mapsí accuracy.

ï Announced that the town is accepting recommendations from residents on capital-improvement projects.
Anyone interested in suggesting a project can get more information at the townís Web site, www.townofblackmountain.org, or by calling 669-9102.