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Tuesday, 19 December 2006 17:13 |
By DAVID FORBES
WEAVERVILLE ÇƒÓ At its last meeting of the year, Weaverville Town Council on Dec. 18 decided to hold a public hearing in January on whether to annex an additional portion of a controversial shopping center that will include a Super Wal-Mart.
Approved 4-1 last November, the 88-acre Northridge Commons project drew significant opposition from some residents of the town, who asserted that such large-scale development will harm the townës local businesses and its character. However, other residents supported the development, countering that it will bring jobs to the area.
Now
the developers, Charlotte-based Harris, Murr & Vermillion, are
asking for part of the land that is just outside the town limits to be
annexed by Weaverville ÇƒÓ a move that, if approved, would cut the
projectës water rates in half, while raising its taxes.
This time, the vote was unanimous to set a public hearing at 6 p.m. Jan. 22 in town hall.
Councilman Al
Root, who cast the sole dissenting vote on the original issue, noted
that, if council does not end up approving the annexation, the project
will be completed anyway.
"My
understanding of this is that the annexation ÇƒÓ or lack of annexation ǃÓ
will not affect the project that is going up there," Root said.
"The issue here
is whether we collect tax money from it and whether we can provide
vital services. But as for the development or lack of development,
thatës not going to change here."
In his presentation to council, Town Manager Mike Morgan struck a similar note.
"What the
annexation will allow us to do is bring tax revenue in while this is
being constructed," Morgan said. "Then of course, weëll also provide
services, mainly police. Weëll already be providing fire."
The developerës current estimates of revenue for the site stand at around $90 million.
Root and some
other members of council have spoken favorably about approving
conditional zoning rules for the town, which could allow council to set
more precise standards for developments. The townës planning and zoning
board is currently reviewing the proposal.
In other action, council:
ï Unanimously approved an annexation agreement with the town of Woodfin.
The agreement
stipulates that Woodfin will not annex any areas north of New Stock
Road, while Weaverville will not annex any areas south.
The agreement
arose after recent annexations by Woodfin drew objections from
Weaverville because they cut into the townës extra-territorial
jurisdiction ÇƒÓ an area one mile outside its limits where it can set
zoning regulations.
ï Unanimously
approved $37,000 to finish construction of a handicapped ramp at Lake
Louise Park. The money is in addition to $20,000 already raised by the
Weaverville Rotary Club.
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