Several Mitchell County residents attended the Mitchell commissioners meeting Tuesday evening to voice their displeasure over the new subdivision ordinance. Realtor Peter Franklin stated his opposition and asked them to repeal it until they could speak with more people such as realtors who would be affected by the new ordinance. Others questioned the need for 6 inches of gravel on the roads, noting that Yancey County only requires 4 inches and complained about costs associated with the ordinance harming locals. Beth Walker said, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” She went on to say most parts of the ordinance are already covered by the state ordinance and she doesn’t see the need for additional laws but rather enforcement of existing law. Bill Franklin, a retired professional truck driver, said if they are able to get cement and gravel trucks up to houses on steep grades then it shouldn’t be a problem for fire trucks. Ashley Beam, head of the Mitchell County Fire Association and Chief of the Bakersville Fire Department said they began seeing problems as far back as 1999 and that it is not possible to get fire trucks into really steep areas such as Shootout Mountain. He went on to note that people will build million dollar houses at the end of a $100 road and life safety should be the top concern. Several people felt like they had not been sufficiently made aware of meetings about the ordinance.
County Manager Allen Cook noted that the meetings concerning the ordinance had been advertised in the Mitchell News/Journal and posted on the Mitchell County website page. He noted that the main concern is for emergency vehicles, including fire trucks have proper access to homes. The ordinance makes potential buyers aware of possible issues, protect adjoining property owners, provide for public safety and for future growth. Cook said people should bring their concerns to them and several commissioners said to email comments and questions.
In other business Cook noted that the groundbreaking is Friday for the new middle school and that it had been funded with $40 million in grant money. He also said they have received several grants toward a recreational facility in Bakersville and will start fundraising on that soon. That center will include a full size basketball gymnasium with a walking track around it, workout equipment and classroom space. Cook also mentioned a Mitchell County drug awareness event scheduled for Wednesday, March 1st at Bear Creek Baptist Church from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Youth league and church youth have been invited for activities and a law enforcement presentation. The public is invited to come and find out about the drug problems particularly with the large amount of fentanyl that is now in the county and its particular threat to children as it is disguised as M & M candy.
