DECEMBER 17, 2009 ISSUE
Boone Council To Consider Smoking Bans, Annexations Thursday
New smoking restrictions and the satellite annexation of several properties are among the items on the agenda for the monthly Boone Town Council meeting this Thursday, December 17.
Jamie Leigh and Andy Ball will also be sworn in to new terms on the council. Leigh was appointed to serve the remainder of a term vacated by Liz Aycock June 30 and was elected to a four-year term in November. Ball was elected to a two-year term and will take the seat of outgoing member Janet Pepin. Rennie Brantz was sworn in to his second four-year term on the council earlier this month because of travel plans.
In addition, Mayor Loretta Clawson will be sworn in to a new four-year term.
After discussing potential changes to the town’s smoking ordinance at last month’s meeting, the council will consider adoption of new smoking restrictions this Thursday.
The proposed ordinance would, in addition to state law restrictions taking effect January 2 banning smoking in restaurants and bars, prohibit smoking inside all enclosed areas of every public place and place of employment except where smoking areas are separated from non-smoking areas. In addition, the proposed ordinance would prohibit smoking within a six-foot radius of a child, in every location used primarily for children, within a six-foot radius of any entrance to a public place when the location is open and within any area designated by the owner of private property as a no-smoking area.
Other proposed restrictions include the prohibition of smoking in any local government building; on sidewalks in front of any town or local government building; within six feet for an entrance to a town building; within or on the grounds of any town parks, including the Greenway Trail; on the grounds of the Jones House, except in designated smoking areas; and in any local government vehicle.
Council Members Janet Pepin and Lynne Mason and town attorney Sam Furgiuele were scheduled to meet Tuesday to further discuss the proposed changes and consider other restrictions, including a ban on smoking in outdoor dining areas.
The council will hold a public hearing on the satellite annexation of properties owned by Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Watauga County and the Hospitality House prior to considering adoption of an annexation ordinance.
The three parties submitted a petition for voluntary annexation of the properties, which are located off of Brook Hollow Road in the Bamboo Road area. The Hospitality House property will be the location of a new homeless shelter—the town approved a water and sewer request to the property in April 2008. The stated use of the Watuaga County property is for office, clerical, research or services not related to goods or merchandise.
Council Member Lynne Mason is the executive director of the Hospitality House and has recused herself from prior discussions on the matter.
The council will also discuss and could take action on a report on a downtown parking charrette held December 1 and the formation of a time-limited parking task force, spending priorities for the recently adopted Downtown Streetscape Plan and the renewal of a contract with the Downtown Boone Development Association for the use of Municipal Service District tax funds.
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