‘Citizens Plan’

shows fear of change
By Scott Nicholson
nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

The Citizens Plan For Watauga is a step closer to official consideration, as the first of two phases is now complete.

The report on the first phase of plan development outlined the process by which information was gathered. Comments were collected at community meetings, through the mail and via the county’s Web site. Surveys were a key element of the process, allowing people the opportunity to list the issues that most concerned them.

“A review of the data shows a high degree of consistency between the importance rankings, the written comments and the community,” the summary said. “Problems like traffic congestion that might have seemed relevant only to more urban areas were in fact impacting people in rural sections as traffic is also there on highways like U.S. 321, 421 and N.C. 105. Similarly, issues like farmland preservation were of concern in and around Boone, not just in the country.”

The survey also pointed out “two primary fears associated with change.” First was the pressure growth put on natural resources and second was that available services would not keep pace with increased demand, with public safety services, water availability and traffic congestion the primary concerns.

The surveys also suggested that people in the rural areas blamed the town of Boone more than Appalachian State University for growth pressures, with some dissatisfaction with the county government’s role in advocating for and communicating with citizens. “There is a lack of confidence that the county can tailor regulations and restrictions to appropriately meet the needs of the different sections of Watauga,” the summary said.

Dennie Martin, representing the consulting firm of Martin McGill that is overseeing the project, said the process started last summer and objectives were to involve the community, name the plan and conduct the meetings. He said while attendance at meetings was sporadic, the opportunities to respond through different forums had reached all sections and factions of the county.

The listed top 10 issues were traffic congestion; water availability; protection of natural resources; farmland/large tract preservation; clear land-use divisions; preservation of unique community identities and mountain heritage; economic development/employment/affordable housing; emergency services keeping pace with growth; educational opportunities and widespread recreational opportunities.

Some of the survey comments from the public included:

• “Watauga County citizens must realize that one person’s or one community’s viewpoints regarding ‘visioning’ for the future may or will place unfair hardships on those in the future. We do not know what the future will be like. A controlled society is not a free society.”

• “Problems with overdevelopment...currently no checks are in place causing tremendous loss of rural, forest land along with the loss of animal/avian/flora residents of the land.”

• “Watauga needs to be open to zoning and also be more diligent in enforcing current zoning laws as well as future zoning laws.”

• “The county will look at more privitization options to ensure a low tax rate and continue putting money into the local educational system.”

• “Leave ASU alone. They are a state-run system and the county and town should not interfere.”

• “Don’t tear up what everyone came to see in the first place.”

• “Watauga County must make it possible for people in the ETJ to vote for the people that effect the use of their land. It is UNAMERICAN that we cannot.”

• “Watauga will have a variety of big-box stores so residents can shop in the county instead of day tripping nearby to shop.”

• “Less politics and ‘I’m right and you are wrong’ attitude with efforts made toward a good common ground of what is best for all Watauga County and its citizens.”

• “We need to stress true free enterprise, private property rights, less tourism, more economic engines and businesses that offer people good jobs and better employment security, not just for the county, but for the state and nation to maintain and improve our national independence.”

• “Fewer students and tourists.”

Martin said it would take about 12 months to complete the second phase of the community plan to present it for adoption. The first phase of the plan cost $33,000 and the second phase was approved at a cost of $105,000.