GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

S	1 

SENATE BILL 907*

Short Title:  Avery County Growth Management.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Senators Kincaid, Sands, and Simpson.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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April 17, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO DEVELOP A GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR AVERY COUNTY THAT CAN BE USED AS A PLANNING MODEL FOR OTHER MOUNTAIN COUNTIES.
Whereas, the Board of Commissioners of Avery County and the Town Councils of its eight municipalities recognize the value of cooperation on matters of mutual concern, especially in the area of growth management; and
Whereas, the Commissioners and Town Councils of all eight municipalities agree unanimously that such matters of mutual concern and interest can best be addressed through joint planning in order to accomplish together what no single unit could as effectively accomplish alone; and
Whereas, the realization of goals and projects which are vital to enhancing the quality of Avery County's economy, environment, and livability is contingent upon effectively managing growth in strategically identified areas of the county; and
Whereas, in Avery County, one of the State's fastest developing mountain counties, there will almost certainly continue to be accelerated growth in the villages and towns and those sections adjacent to town corporate limits; and
Whereas, it is recognized by the Board of County Commissioners and the Town Councils that such accelerated growth will negatively impact the county's physical environment and infrastructure unless it is strategically planned for; and
Whereas, the Avery County Board of Commissioners and the Town Councils of the Village of Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain, Crossnore, Banner Elk, Grandfather Village, Newland, Seven Devils, and Elk Park have pledged their mutual cooperation in planning for and implementing a growth management strategy for Avery County and its citizens through passage of A Resolution of Cooperation on February 13, 1989; and
Whereas, the actions of the Avery County Board of Commissioners and the Town Councils of its eight municipalities are consistent with the recommendations of the Legislative Research Commission's Growth Management Study Committee recently filed; and
Whereas, the results of such mutual cooperation in Avery County toward Growth Management Planning could be useful as a model for other mountain counties, or for regional planning; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, Division of Community Assistance, the sum of thirty-seven thousand two hundred sixty-nine dollars ($37,269) for the 1989-90 fiscal year and the sum of thirty-seven thousand two hundred eighty-six dollars ($37,286) for the 1990-91 fiscal year to be used for providing the full-time services and support of the senior planner in the division's Western Regional Office to Avery County to assist the county and its municipalities in developing a growth management strategy.
Sec. 2.  The Avery County Board of Commissioners will provide local assistance to the project through its county Economic Development Commission, by maintaining the funding of its county Economic Development Commission and providing staff and/or consultation assistance at levels determined by it to be reasonable.
Sec. 3.  A plan of work setting forth specific tasks to be achieved by project and time frames for completion of those tasks shall be developed, such tasks to include but not be limited to the following:  establishment of local planning boards by the county and all municipalities, collection of data vital to the planning process, review and analysis of the physical environment (land use survey, natural features, identification of environmentally and culturally sensitive areas, evaluation of transportation and utility services), implementation of an identified strategic planning process, development of specific documentation and recommendations for growth plan, and development of specific implementation actions to include control mechanisms, as needed, concurrent with commitments from local government to support such mechanisms.
Sec. 4.  The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development shall be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the project consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the Department as established by the General Assembly and the Executive Branch and shall make periodic reports to the Joint Legislative Commission on Future Strategies of North Carolina if that Commission is created and to the legislative delegation representing Avery County in the General Assembly.
Sec. 5.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1989.