The Boone Town Council is set to meet on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 9 a.m. in the Town Council Chambers at 1500 Blowing Rock Road. Key items on the agenda include an informal discussion regarding a proposed 332-unit apartment development, a request to reverse a section of Howard Street's one-way direction, and a public hearing concerning the closeout of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project.
BREC, an engineering firm, will present an informal discussion about an annexation and zoning request for a significant multifamily development. Proposed by Scout, Inc., the project would feature 332 units, encompassing 716 bedrooms, on a 63-acre site located off the U.S. 105 Bypass. Preliminary plans for the development specify a maximum building height of 40 feet, a minimum of 33 percent common area and green space, and 738 parking spaces. The plans also include a 30-foot yard setback.
Ian Robinson will continue a discussion initiated at the Sept. 23 Council meeting, seeking reconsideration of the one-way direction of Howard Street between South Depot Street and Appalachian Street. Currently, this block directs traffic from Appalachian Street toward South Depot Street. Robinson's proposal would reverse this flow, moving traffic from South Depot Street toward Appalachian Street. No changes are requested for other sections of Howard Street. Robinson's proposal states that reversing the direction would route traffic toward the Rivers Street and Appalachian connection, away from what he describes as an “already busy pedestrian area” near King Street and Depot Street. Additionally, the proposal suggests that new parallel parking being added to Howard Street would be situated on the right side of the travel lane if the direction were reversed. Twelve downtown business owners and managers have reportedly expressed support for the change to Robinson.
Following the presentation on these items, the Council will hold a public hearing to formally close out a CDBG project related to the Deck Hill Water Tank Replacement, with opportunities for public comment. Later in the meeting, Council will consider an ordinance, required by NCDOT, for road closures related to the annual downtown holiday parade. The ordinance proposes closing King Street (U.S. 421) between Hardin Street and the Poplar Grove Connector, as well as Water Street, on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Staff will ask the Council to discuss a potential application to the CDBG-DR Workforce Housing for Ownership Program. The town appears to be an eligible applicant if necessary materials can be prepared before the Dec. 13 deadline. A staff concept plan outlines using approximately 0.7 acre of the town’s roughly 2.9-acre water tank property off WYN Way for the development of five single-family homes, ranging from about 900 to 1,400 square feet. Staff noted that WYN Way is narrow in certain sections and may require additional right-of-way. Council will be asked to approve submitting a pre-application for this concept plan, with a final application scheduled to come before Council on Dec. 9, or to decline participation in the program.
Amber Bateman from the Watauga Arts Council will inform the Council about two public art projects. The first project, titled “Taking Flight,” is a community-created butterfly mosaic bench intended for placement on the Greenway park loop behind the Levine Center off Deerfield Road. The second project involves a Bird Art Trail along the Greenway. The proposal indicates that the mosaic bench is a community donation, funded by grants, donated materials, and volunteer labor, and does not request financial support from the town. Instead, the Arts Council is seeking assistance from the town's Public Works department for site preparation and installation.
Council will also address several budget amendments. These include accepting $6,000 donated by Back our Blue Watauga for rifle slings and weapon lights for the Police Department, and allocating $42,000 from the fund balance to cover expenses for the town manager search and hiring process. Additionally, the agenda lists professional services agreements that will not incur expense for the town. These include a $150,000 agreement with Cavanaugh for a water loss audit, funded by an Asset Inventory and Assessment (AIA) grant, and a $46,583.75 purchase of Mavtrek software from Thinking Hats Technologies, with $40,000 funded through the AIA grant. Another agreement, for $342,400 with McGill Associates for engineering services on the New River Hills Lift Station hazard mitigation project, is funded through the town’s Hurricane Helene allocation.
Staff has proposed changes to the upcoming meeting schedule for November and December. The suggestions include canceling the Nov. 11 regular meeting due to the Veterans Day town holiday, and moving the Nov. 25 meeting, which falls the day before Thanksgiving, to either Nov. 17, 18 (daytime), or 19. For December, staff suggests retaining the Dec. 9 meeting and either canceling the Dec. 23 meeting or moving it to Dec. 14, 15 (daytime), 16, or 17. The town is also currently seeking applications for various board and commission positions, including three alternate spots on the Board of Adjustment, one student position on the Cultural Resources Advisory Board, and one regular position on the Planning Commission. The application deadline is Oct. 30 at 5 p.m., with applications available from Town Clerk Nicole Harmon or the town’s website. Finally, the Council plans a closed session as allowed by North Carolina law. The session is for reviewing, approving, and sealing prior closed session minutes; consulting with the town attorney for legal advice on potential claims; and considering the qualifications of an individual public officer or employee. The Council may take action after the closed session concludes.
