OCTOBER 29, 2009 ISSUE
Citizens’ Plan for Watauga Community Meetings November 2, 3 and 5
Preparation of County’s Comprehensive Plan Moves Forward
In 2007, the Watauga County Board of Commissioners authorized the preparation of a comprehensive plan for the county and appointed a seven-member Plan Oversight Group to guide the preparation of the plan, which is called the “Citizens’ Plan for Watauga.”
The Citizens’ Plan for Watauga is an expression of the vision of Watauga citizens and leaders of the county’s goals and objectives for managing change in the community. The plan’s purpose is to provide a balance between managing change, preserving community traditions, protecting the natural environment and enhancing quality of life.
The document—which can be viewed by clicking to www.wataugacounty.org—is a reflection of the Watauga community’s concerns for such principles. At the same time, the plan focuses on new issues that have emerged, such as sustainability and green issues, which are of great importance to the future of the Watauga community, according to the Plan.
In late 2007 and early 2008, the Plan Oversight Group (POG) sponsored a series of community meetings to gather public input regarding important community issues and priorities and agreed to convene future meetings to review the progress of the planning process with the public. The POG is made up of one commissioner, one member of the Watauga County Planning Board and five citizens appointed by each of the commissioners. The POG includes Commissioner Winston Kinsey, Planning Board Member Charlie Wallin, Steve Loflin, Fred Badders, Buck Robbins, Shelton Wilder and Bill Sherwood.
“This plan is two years in the making. It’s a beautiful piece of work and we do want people to study it,” Kinsey said. “We wanted this to be the citizens’ plan, so we worked from the issues the public brought to us.”
From the citizen responses, the POG developed recommendations in numerous work sessions addressing the issues that are important to citizens. The key question derived from Phase 1 was, “What do the county’s citizens want this plan to accomplish?” Watauga County citizens answered the question with the following responses:
-The Citizens’ Plan for Watauga must demonstrate that the Board of Commissioners shares the concerns and priorities of the public.
-It should indicate that the country commission is prepared to take a proactive leadership role.
-It should reflect communication with public and private agencies and groups working independently for Watauga’s future, such as the N.C. Department of Transportation, the National Park Service and economic development organizations.
-It must establish goals and place the responsibilities for meeting them.
-It should suggest strategies and approaches for reaching goals.
-It must report on the Plan and involve the citizenry.
-Finally, it should establish a process for periodic review and updating.
Taking the thinking a step further, during the initial meetings, citizens identified a list of prominent issues affecting the county that need to be addressed. The issues are:
1. Traffic congestion
2. Water availability
3. Protection of natural resources
4. Farmland/large tract preservation
5. Clear land use divisions
6. Preservation of unique community identities and mountain heritage
7. Economic development/employment/affordable housing
8. Emergency services keeping pace with growth
9. Educational opportunities
10. Widespread recreational opportunities
The follow-up meetings are scheduled for the following dates and locations:
Monday, November 2—Cove Creek Elementary School, 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 3—Parkway Elementary School, 6:15 p.m.
Thursday, November 5—Watauga County Administration Building, 6:00 p.m.
Planning and Inspections Director Joe Furman said he hopes all citizens will take time to review the Plan online and then attend one of the meetings to share input.
Draft copies of the plan can be viewed by clicking to www.wataugacounty.org or at the offices of the Watauga County Planning & Inspections Department, located at 331 Queen Street, Suite A in Boone. Comments about the plan can also be submitted through the county’s website.
Following the community meetings in November, the POG will review the comments received, revise the draft plan as needed and present it to the commissioners for review and consideration.
“We sincerely thank the citizens of Watauga for your input and support of this important planning initiative and we encourage your participation,” said Furman.
For more information, click to www.wataugacounty.org or call 828-265-8043.
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
