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Tuesday, 24 October 2006 16:49 |
 Spurred to action by an onslaught of new development, some Swannanoa residents have begun organizing and planning for the future of their region ÇƒÓ a scenic, but economically depressed area nestled between Asheville and the Town of Black Mountain.
More than 400 people gathered last week at the Swannanoa Fire Department to discuss this and other related issues, including the possibility of incorporating as a town.
It is likely that that many in attendance are feeling the pressure of twin threats: increasing development and the possibility of being annexed by neighboring municiapities.
This
is a threatening position to be in for an area that has fallen on hard
times recently, with the closing of several major manufacturers that
had been significant employers in the area.
We would recommend that Swannanoa start thinking seriously about the possibility of becoming the Town of Swannanoa.
On the downside,
residents would likely see an increase in taxes if Swannanoa
incorporates. While the town would provide some new services, for some,
this may not offset the disadvantages of having to pay town ÇƒÓ as well
as county ÇƒÓ taxes.
On the other
hand, if Swannanoa is annexed, either voluntarily or involuntarily, by
another muncipality, this would mean a comparible tax increase, without
self-government.
Incorporation, however, has one major advantage: the people of Swannanoa would have a say in how their area is developed.
This is an
invaluable asset for a community. Indeed, the Swannanoa Pride Community
Coalition, which sponsored last weekës public forum, was founded in
response to the approval by the county of The Cliffs ÇƒÓ a 1,300-acre
subdivision planned for Swannanoa that will be the largest since the
county first started regulating such developmnents.
If Swannanoa was
incorporated, it could regulate such developments, setting safety,
traffic and environmental safeguards, as well as using access to its
utilities as a bargaining chip when negotiating with developers.This
strategy has met with much success by Black Mountain and other towns.
Perhaps it is time for Swannanoa to take charge of its own destiny ÇƒÓ before someone else does.
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