Town of Seven Devils

Planning Board Minutes

July 16, 2007

 

 

 

Call to Order

 

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Chairman David Hooper. Other members present were Vice Chairman Bob Haugh, Loren Williams, George Ehlinger, Butch McLean and Sarah Manning.  Absent and excused was member Mike Tarlton.  Also present was Town Manager Brad Lambert and Zoning Administrator Don Fulkerson.  Town Clerk Karen Daniels recorded the minutes.

 

Adopt Agenda

 

Loren Williams made a motion to adopt the agenda.  Bob Haugh seconded the motion.  The members agreed unanimously.  

 

Approval of Minutes of June 18, 2007 Regular Meeting

 

Sarah Manning made a motion to approve the June 18, 2007 minutes.  Loren Williams seconded the motion.  The members agreed unanimously.       

 

Citizen Comments

 

Administrative Comments – Don Fulkerson

 

Old Business

 

  1. Discussion and possible action on zoning for High Quality Water Area (HQW) within a mile of the Watauga River – Bob Haugh - Bob Haugh stated he is working on getting a map from HW but so far he has not had success.  Chairman Hooper asked the Town Manager if the Town would pay for an official map of the high quality water area.  The Town Manager stated he would first check to see if it is available on the Net.  The Planning Board reviewed Section 1000 – Stormwater Management of the Environmental Management Commission and discussed whether the Town's restrictions should be more restrictive than they currently are to match the State.   The Planning Board agreed to have Bob Haugh contact the State to arrange for a representative to come and review the Town's current planning/zoning ordinances for watershed protection to see if the Town needs to make changes to the ordinances.  They agreed this should occur when the Town Engineer David Poore will be available to attend  - OPEN –

 

 

  1. Discussion and possible action of having Zoning Regulation 11.4.2.3, Storm Drainage Facilities, apply to single family homes – Report on meeting with Town Engineer David  Poore – David Hooper – Chairman Hooper presented and reviewed the following with the Planning Board:  

 

            Notes Taken 6/19/2007 from David Poore About Handling Storm Water

 

On June 19, 2007 Bob Haugh and I met with David Poore to discuss how the town can handle storm water from single family residences.

 

I specifically asked him if Zoning Regulation 11.4.2.3, Storm Drainage Facilities, should apply to single family homes. His answer was it probably was not a good idea. He said most communities only apply that to commercial or multifamily development. He also said for our town, because of the common situation of shallow dirt over rock trying to use standard procedures might be counter productive. Usually water control of this type would involve a rain garden or more likely retention ponds. Our natural soil conditions are almost like a sponge on top of rock. If you take up the existing soil to put in something else you may create a situation where the rock is more exposed and make things worse instead of better.

 

We went out to look at a couple of typical (for Seven Devils) construction sites to see what type of things would work for our area. We were joined by Kevin Aldridge, Director of Public Works, to get input from him also.

 

The sites had a long driveway serving both sites that curved and went down hill. Runoff was already a problem eroding the driveway and overwhelming a clogged undersized culvert. It had a natural drainage area between the two sites.

 

David said the part of our ordinances about not disturbing the natural flow of storm water is very important. In the natural state of land you tend to get a “sheet flow” of water as it runs down a slope. This would be the best way to try to keep the water flowing. You want to do things to try to unconcentrate the flows and mock the predevelopment conditions.

 

One example would be not to have the uphill side of the driveway lower than the downhill side. If the uphill side is lower that creates a channel for the water to run in and concentrates the flow. If you make the driveway with the down hill side lower, the water will tend to flow off all along the driveway more resembling a sheet flow.

 

Another example is anywhere there is a culvert, add rip rap at the out flow to dissipate the force of the water and spread it out instead of concentrating it into a channel.

 

He thinks the town should stay away from central collection of storm water.

 

During our discussion it seemed like it might be a good idea to require an engineer visit to construction sites to provide input for ways to best handle water runoff, and have that added to the site survey. Then the Zoning Administrator could check during construction to assure those requirements were being followed. These costs could be added to the cost of the permit.

 

David Hooper

Chairman, Seven Devils Planning Board

 

After reviewing the notes from 6/19/07, an in depth discussion followed regarding the most effective way to handle storm water runoff.  The Planning Board appointed a committee of three members to research the best way to handle storm water runoff.  Members appointed to the committee were; Bob Haugh, George Ehlinger and Sarah Manning.  It was agreed Sarah Manning would chair the committee.  – OPEN -  

 

 

New Business

 

  1. Discussion and possible action of creating a Recreation Plan for Seven Devils – Loren Williams – Member Williams stated he had been reviewing the ZONING ORDINANE  (ARTICLE 12 – CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS 12.3.6 Action on the Application 6) reads:  The proposed use will not be in general conformity with the Vision Statement, Comprehensive Land Use Plan or other plan officially adopted by the Town Council.  The Comprehensive Land Use Plan of the Town of Seven Devils states:  The Town of seven Devils is a residential and recreational community however, we pay very little attention to recreation in our Comprehensive Land Use Plan and if you look at our Town Seal, one forth is dedicated to the recreation activities of skiing & golf.  It seems to me if we are concerned about our image as a Town, it is time we have a recreation plan for the Town of Seven Devils that addresses everything people consider recreation including; walking, running, biking, hiking, skiing, tubing and golfing.   The Comprehensive Land Use Plan is dedicated 90% to residential and hardly anything on recreation except to mention the ski slope and golf.  Green zones are also relevant to this recreation concept and I believe the Tourism Development Authority should have input in this recreation plan.

 

Loren Williams made a motion the Planning Board request the Town Council to authorize the Planning Board and others as needed to prepare a recreation plan for the Town of Seven Devils to be submitted to the Town Council.  Butch McLean seconded the motion.  The members agreed unanimously.

 

Board Member Comments

      

Sarah Manning presented information to the Planning Board regarding an event to be held in Boone, September 5 & 6, 2007.  She stated this event is designed for planners, managers, board members and elected officials from all counties in the High Country to learn about the changes likely coming to this region and to begin a dialogue to develop strategies to address change. 

 

Chairman Hooper asked the Town Manager if he felt the Town Council would approve the $60.00 registration fee for the Planning Board members to attend.  The Town Manager requested the Planning Board give him a count of the members interested in attending.  He noted the registration deadline of August 17.    

 

 

Adjourn

 

At 6:21 pm, Loren Williams made a motion that the Planning Board adjourn.  Sarah Manning seconded the motion.  The members agreed unanimously.

 

 

 

 

____________________________                            ____________________________

David Hooper, Chairman                                              Karen E. Daniels, Town Clerk