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Tuesday, 20 March 2007 16:25 |
By DAVID FORBES
WEAVERVILLE ó Weaverville took another step towards approval of conditional zoning ó a new rule some are touting as a way to control development more specifically ó as Town Council on Monday night set a public hearing on the matter.
ìAny zoning is always subject to review ó and it might change,î Councilman Al Root said. ìWeíve been discussing this for a long time. Weíve gone back and forth. Weíve sent this to our planning board. We have a good piece of work in front of us ó and I think itís time to hear from the public on it.î
The
hearing will take place at 6:30 p.m. April 23 at Weaverville Town Hall.
Conditional zoning would give council the ability to allow or set
criteria for projects in certain areas, or projects that would normally
not be allowed by the zoning in the area.
Root and other
proponents have previously asserted that with increasingly large
developments coming to Weaverville, conditional zoning will give the
town more control over the nature of a developerís final project.
Other municipalities in the area, notably Asheville, allow conditional zoning.
The measure
passed unanimously, despite objections from Mayor Mary ìBettî Stroud,
who asserted that conditional zoning would allow commercial intrusion
into Weavervilleís residential areas.
ìIím still not
sold on the concept of conditional zoning,î Stroud said. ìZoning is a
promise to residents that there will be some stability where they have
their home. If zoning can just be changed or violated like this, it
becomes meaningless.
ìI find
abhorrent the thought that commercial activities might be allowed in
our single-family residential districts. With conditional zoning,
whatever council thought was fashionable or a good idea at the time
could go through, opening this town up to developers of all stripes. It
will eventually result in chaos.î
In reply, Root
said that any zoning may be changed, as long ìas we do any change
publicly and with good reason. Zoning is a guideline. Times change.î
However, when Stroud requested that the town hold an informational meeting before the public hearing, Root agreed.
ìIím always in favor of people getting more information about an issue like this,î Root said.
The informational session will be held at 7 p.m. April 16.
Meanwhile,
Councilwoman Marcie Nesbitt wondered if the ordinance could be changed
to ban conditional zoning in single-family residential areas.
But Councilman Don Hallingse disagreed.
ìIf we just make an exception for those residents ó what does that say to people who live in other parts of the town?î
In other business, council unanimously voted to send an ordinance restricting adult businesses to the planning board for review.
The ordinance
would restrict adult businesses to 1,500 feet away from any church,
school or daycare, residential area or another establishment that sells
alcohol.
Hallingse asked
Town Manager Mike Morgan if, under the ordinance, it would be possible
for any adult business to locate in Weaverville.
ìItís possible,î Morgan said with a chuckle.
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