Comprehensive Plan Rough Draft Final 42811

Macon County Comprehensive Plan

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Introduction

From 2000 -2030 the population of our county is expected to increase by 56%, rising toapproximately 43,356 people

(Southwestern Commission, 7

). This projected growth will placeconsiderable demands on our land, services and natural resources. It is our responsibility ascitizens of Macon County to plan for these demands now. By taking the initiative to plan, weensure that our land is developed responsibly, our precious natural resources are preserved and theservices we have in place are adequate for our population.The comprehensive planning process was undertaken by the Macon County Planning Boardbeginning in April of 2009. This undertaking came at the direction of the County Commissionersfollowing the January 30, 2009, Planning Board retreat. The article by Colin McCandless of theFranklin Press published in February of 2009 provides an excellent account to the birth of theMacon County Comprehensive Plan.

Planning Board Retreat

Planning board mulls long range vision

By Colin McCandlessPressreporter@thefranklinpress.comThe Macon County planning board discussed the possibility of developing a comprehensiveplan for the county at its planning board retreat Jan. 30 in Franklin.Representatives from various entities including some of the county department heads, thecounty manager, Towns of Franklin and Highlands, watershed council, the school board and theeconomic development commission weighed in on the prospect of a long range plan.Based on their dialogue, the planning board came to a consensus they would work on aframework and outline for a comprehensive plan, while continuing to address other immediateissues facing the county.As the meeting opened, Commissioner chairman and planning board liaison Ronnie Bealetold attendees he felt Macon County is at a cross roads due to current economic hardships andneeded to examine what direction they want to go and where they want to be.“Commissioners believe the planning board needs to become more than just an ordinance-making machine,” Beale said. He said the planning board had worked on long range visions beforeand perhaps now is the time to restart that process.Addressing where the planning board is now and where it should be headed, chairman of the planning board Lewis Penland said the board needs to be looking out 20-25 years ahead.Penland added that they wanted a direction and the support of local leaders to plan forfuture infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of collaborating with the towns,commissioners, etc., on any long-range plan

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Director of Permitting, Planning and Development Jack Morgan, who has been assisting theplanning board during the search for a county planner, also said he felt the county is at a crossroadseconomically.“We’re here because we share a common goal,” Morgan said. “That common goal is thatwe are all residents of Macon County. This is our county. It belongs to us, it belongs to ourchildren. We have to prepare and plan for our children.”

Macon County Comprehensive Plan

2Morgan went on to say that they have a choice to either by design “be a shining gem inWestern North Carolina,” or let things evolve on their own.He said the planning board has put a lot of hard work into developing ordinances and theyare now at the point where they need to determine exactly, “Where we are, where we want to goand how do we get there? And that’s why we need your input.”Retreat facilitator Vicki Greene of the Southwestern Commission (council of governmentserving the seven westernmost counties asked the representatives of the Towns of Franklin andHighlands to address where they are now and where they are headed in terms of water and sewerprojects and planning.Town of Franklin administrator and planning board liaison Michael Grubermann referencedthe Unified Development Ordinance implemented by the town in 2007 that provided a majorupdate from the previous zoning code.Both Grubermann and Franklin mayor Joe Collins, who spoke later, addressed thepreliminary search for an alternate source of water other than Cartoogechaye Creek, currently thesole source of the Town’s water supply.Grubermann said the Town of Franklin is working on a major sewer improvement toestablish equalization basins, which will help avoid further sewer back ups and spills near the LittleTennessee River Greenway.Despite the slumping economy, commercial development seems to be holding its own, andin residential development news, a 64-unit apartment complex has just been proposed, he said.They also are examining a small annexation to the town.Highlands mayor Don Mullens told retreat attendees he thought this past year had been awatershed year in cooperation between the towns and Macon County commissioners.Mullens said Highlands’ major upcoming projects primarily involve tackling infrastructureissues. He said they need to develop their sewer program (only 25 percent of the Town isconnected to sewer), they have stormwater problems, particularly in the center of Town and areworking on a stormwater program and ordinance, and they are in the process of doing a parkingcirculation study.Additionally, one of the other big issues they face is trying to get funding for removing thesilt that has been filling their lakes. They are also in the process of developing a UnifiedDevelopment Ordinance, which they aim to finish by next year.Asked if the Town of Highlands is anticipating a revenue shortfall like the county, Mullenssaid they are presently in excellent financial condition. Grubermann said the Town of Franklin isalso doing well at this point.

What’s in a Comprehensive Plan?

Retreat participants discussed what a comprehensive plan entails, how it is developed andworked to identify what issues the planning board should address if they were tasked to fashionone.Greene said a comprehensive plan is the formal document that identifies goals for growthand sets the context for regulation. Once adopted it becomes a policy guide for decision-making oranything that has to do with physical development of a town or county.In determining the context for development, it covers everything with the geographic areaof the county. A comprehensive plan connects multiple concerns including infrastructure decisions(i.e. water, sewer, utilities), long-range economic, environmental and social sustainability, linking

Macon County Comprehensive Plan

3transportation and transit planning to land use, farmland preservation, water quality, emergencymanagement, etc.Chairman of the Watershed Council Bob Wright said he believed a comprehensive planwould comprise our collective vision of what we wanted Macon County to be 20 years from now.Planning board member Susan

Ervin said if they undertake another future land use plan,they need to have steps towards implementation, something not included in past long- rangevisions. “We need a comprehensive plan that would lead towards action,” Ervin said.Barry Clinton, vice chairman of the watershed council, said that there needs to be anoverarching goal (i.e. improving quality of life), and the action plan would have component partsthat fit into that overall vision.Planning board member Larry Stenger said when they worked on the “2025 Vision,” it wasnot successful because people were not sold on the need for a comprehensive land use plan.With this long-range plan, Stenger suggested they go the public, share their collectivevision and ask for the public’s vision. He also emphasized that they present it in a way the publiccan understand and provide an educational component on a comprehensive plan.Tax administrator Richard Lightner reminded the group that between 40-50 percent of Macon residents are part-time (the tax office sends out tax bills to all 50 states) and they mustconsider that in their growth projections.Stenger added they should also consider that there could be a potential influx of part-timeresidents who decide to retire and move here permanently, another possibility for which they mustplan.Morgan said they should examine what attracts such a diverse ownership and population toMacon and consider if that’s something we need to maintain.Watershed review board chairman Jim Waldroop said water and farmland preservation arehis main concerns for a long-range vision.Health director Jim Bruckner said infrastructure is the most important issue in his mind. Heexplained that Macon County has the highest number of new septic permits in the state and thatpublic health will likely do 400 plus wells this year, which would put them in the top ten percent inthe state. Bruckner said thought should be going into technologies for solid waste disposal.Member Karl Gillespie said they need to protect the area’s natural resources and preservethe beauty that draws tourists and second home residents here.Clinton added that they should factor in the affects of climate in the comprehensive planwhen they examine topics such as water resource planning. He noted that there has been asignificant reduction in precipitation the last few years, with 2007 marking the driest year onrecord.He commented that the decrease in available water supply enhances the need for additionalwater sources.Kuppers said a comprehensive plan should also assess current fire rescue and EmergencyServices systems to see what they will need to change, if anything.Solid Waste Management director Chris Stahl said he would like solid waste disposal to beincluded in any comprehensive plan.Penland added that other elements of the plan might entail cultural preservation andidentity.After identifying issues, Greene then went around the room and asked planning boardmembers and others attending the retreat whether they wanted to do a comprehensive plan.Economic development commission chairman and planning board member Mark West saidhe thought they should do a comprehensive plan.Planning board member Al Slagle said while they do need to consider a long-range plan, itis an overwhelming task and they still had pressing issues to address such as a potential steep slopeordinance. He added that he would be in favor of identifying issues for the comprehensive plan butnot doing the implementation aspect.