Beech Mountain public meetings in 2021

CANCELLED Planning Board Meeting

This Planning Board meeting was cancelled. The agenda had listed only routine items: adopting minutes from October and November 2021 meetings, and a continued discussion on front yard setbacks and decks. No decisions were made at this meeting.

• Meeting cancelled; no actions taken
• Agenda included adoption of minutes from Oct 26 and Nov 29, 2021 meetings
• Continued discussion item on front yard setbacks and decks was listed but not held

Regular Town Council

The Beech Mountain Town Council will select a mayor and vice mayor, and consider consent items including a five-year EMS agreement with Watauga County costing $428,825 annually, the sale of 109 Hemlock Circle, and a budget amendment. New business includes reviewing the FY 2020-2021 audit, approving private sales of police surplus property and firearms, and setting a public hearing for a comprehensive plan amendment. The council will also hear a planning board report on workforce housing and receive monthly staff reports.

• Selection of Mayor & Vice Mayor
• Emergency Medical Services Agreement with Watauga County, $428,825/year for 5 years
• Auction sale of 109 Hemlock Circle
• Private sale of Police Dept. surplus property and firearms resolution
• Call for public hearing on Comprehensive Plan Amendment

Tourism Development Authority Meeting

The Beech Mountain Tourism Development Authority is meeting to review financial reports, including occupancy tax revenue and invoices, and to discuss old and new business such as construction projects, marketing materials, and holiday promotions. The agenda includes updates on the Christmas parade, signage invoices, and winter visitor volume. No major decisions are listed; most items are for discussion or report.

• Occupancy tax revenue for October 2021 reported at $130,219, up 21.47% from prior year
• Invoice for parking lot sign and internet setup at Sled Hill to be considered
• Discussion of Christmas parade, holiday market, and marketing materials
• Facelift projects including Christmas decorations, billboard, flags, banners, and signage
• Winter visitor volume update

Planning Board Meeting

The Beech Mountain Planning Board is meeting to consider a comprehensive plan amendment that would add a strategy encouraging workforce housing, and to finalize a report to the Town Council on the topic. The board will also discuss potential changes to front yard setback rules for decks and walkways. The agenda includes no other major actions.

• Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP 2021-11: add Strategy LU.G1.P1.S4 to encourage workforce housing
• Planning Board report to Town Council on workforce housing, including recommendations
• Discussion on front yard setbacks for decks and walkways, possibly widening the 4-foot walkway exception

Tourism Development Authority Meeting

The Beech Mountain Tourism Development Authority is meeting to adopt the agenda and minutes, review the financial report including occupancy tax and invoices, and discuss old business such as wayfinding sign quotes, trail and construction projects, parking lots, and fall grants. New business includes the Christmas parade, followed by marketing and director's reports.

• Occupancy tax and budget report by Steve Smith
• Wayfinding sign quote discussion
• Forked Trail and construction projects update
• Parking lot projects update
• Christmas parade planning

Regular Town Council

The Beech Mountain Town Council is meeting to consider several consent agenda items, including a budget amendment, capital project ordinances for sewer and water improvements, and a surplus property sale. The council will also hear public comments, including a request from seasonal residents regarding a new trash ordinance, and receive reports from town staff and departments.

• Budget Amendment #2022-02
• 2022 Sewer Main Improvement Capital Project Ordinance
• 2022 Water System Rehabilitation Capital Project Ordinance #2021-07
• Surplus Property Private Sale
• Public comment on trash ordinance from seasonal residents

Planning Board Meeting

The Beech Mountain Planning Board is meeting to adopt the agenda and minutes from the September 27, 2021 meeting, and to continue its discussion on workforce housing as old business. No new business items are listed. The meeting is primarily procedural, with the workforce housing discussion being the only substantive item.

• Adoption of minutes from September 27, 2021 meeting
• Workforce housing discussion (continued from previous meeting)

CANCELLED: Tourism Development Authority Meeting

The scheduled meeting of the Beech Mountain Tourism Development Authority for October 13, 2021, was cancelled. No items were presented for discussion or decision.

Regular Town Council

The Beech Mountain Town Council will hold a public hearing and consider an ordinance to amend Chapter 154 of the zoning code, adding 'Mobile Public Safety Facility' as a permitted use in the Private-Public Service (PS) district. The council will also review the town manager's report on speed bumps and traffic calming on Bark Park Way, and discuss filling a vacant Tourism Development Authority term. Several monthly staff reports are on the agenda.

• Public hearing and ordinance to add Mobile Public Safety Facility to Permitted Use Table (Chapter 154)
• Town Manager's review of Bark Park Way speed bumps and traffic calming measures
• Tourism Development Authority vacant term discussion
• Fire Department, Police Department, and August 2021 Financial Reports
• September Recreation Report and Planning and Inspections Report

Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting

The Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation Committee will meet to adopt the agenda and minutes, review the September 2021 recreation report, and discuss upcoming events including the Wine Hayride, Fall Fest, and Halloween/Haunted Trail. The meeting also includes a public speak-out session. The agenda is routine, with no major decisions or proposals listed.

• September 2021 recreation report: total monthly revenue $6,787.70, 600 member visits, 115 non-member visits
• Membership revenue: $3,545.00 total, including $1,825.00 family annual and $1,650.00 individual annual
• Shane Park campground rental revenue $380.00 in September
• Adventure ropes course construction at Shane Park has begun
• Upcoming events: Wine Hayride, Fall Fest, Halloween/Haunted Trail

Planning Board Meeting

The Beech Mountain Planning Board will consider a proposed ordinance to allow mobile and modular structures for public safety purposes in the Private-Public Service (PS) zoning district. The board will also continue its discussion on workforce housing, following a report to Town Council that identifies a lack of affordable employee housing as a key issue. The meeting includes adoption of the agenda and minutes from the August 24, 2021 meeting.

• Ordinance to allow Mobile Public Safety Facility as a permitted use in PS zoning district
• Workforce Housing report and discussion, including recommendations to Town Council
• Report notes employee wages of $11-$22/hour and average STR rent over $350/night
• Discussion of options like converting a hotel or building new workforce housing
• Next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Planning Board Meeting

The Beech Mountain Planning Board will consider a proposed ordinance to allow mobile and modular structures for public safety purposes in the Private-Public Service (PS) zoning district. The board will also discuss a workforce housing report, which analyzes the need for affordable employee housing and includes recommendations for the Town Council. The meeting will also include adoption of the agenda and minutes from the previous meeting.

• Ordinance to allow Mobile Public Safety Facility as a permitted use in PS zoning district
• Workforce Housing Report and Discussion with recommendations for Town Council
• Adoption of minutes from August 24, 2021 meeting
• Next meeting scheduled for October 26, 2021

Regular Town Council

The Beech Mountain Town Council is meeting to decide on several items, including amending parking regulations, approving a pay parking proposal, and receiving a planning board report on short-term rental regulations. The council will also consider contracts for an adventure ropes course, a trail system lease, and engineering services for Lake Coffey, along with routine reports and consent agenda items.

• Ordinance 2021-04 to amend Chapter 71 parking regulations
• Pay parking proposal by Otto Connect for two years
• Short-term rental regulations planning board report
• Adventure ropes course at Shane Park
• Emerald Outback Trail system lease agreement

Tourism Development Authority Meeting

The Beech Mountain Tourism Development Authority is meeting to adopt the agenda and minutes, review the occupancy tax budget and paid invoices, and discuss old and new business. Old business includes recaps of the Hi-Lo Trail event, wayfinding sign design, construction and parking lot projects, a birding event, webcam launch, and fall grants. New business covers an unfulfilled grant policy, estimated annual revenue, and brainstorming lodging collateral.

• Occupancy tax/budget report by Steve Smith
• Hi-Lo Trail event recap
• Wayfinding sign design update
• Construction and parking lot projects update
• Unfulfilled grant policy discussion

Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting

The Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation Committee is meeting to review the July-August recreation center report and discuss updates on summer camp, bike camp, the sled hill, staff, and Shane Park. The agenda is largely routine, with no major decisions or contracts listed.

• Monthly recreation center report for July-August 2021
• Updates on Summer Camp, Bike Camp, Sled Hill, Staff, and Shane Park
• Upcoming events discussion
• Public speak out session

Planning Board Meeting

The Beech Mountain Planning Board is meeting to discuss affordable and workforce housing, a topic introduced at the previous meeting. The board will also review and potentially adopt the minutes from the July 27, 2021 meeting. The agenda includes old business on affordable housing and new business, with no other major items listed.

• Discussion of affordable housing and workforce housing, including input from local businesses
• Adoption of minutes from the July 27, 2021 regular meeting
• Next meeting scheduled for September 28, 2021

Town Hall Meeting - Council & Citizens

The Beech Mountain Town Council is holding a town hall meeting focused on sanitation. The agenda centers on a presentation titled 'Let's Talk Trash' that reviews the sanitation system's history, budget process, and current operations, followed by public comments. The meeting is primarily informational, with no formal votes or decisions listed on the agenda.

• Sanitation presentation 'Let's Talk Trash'
• Review of sanitation system self-funding and 2020-2021 budget process
• Discussion of current sanitation fees ($31.25 monthly) and pass program
• Commercial waste franchise with Republic Services effective 10/1/21
• Public comments period

Tourism Development Authority Meeting

The Beech Mountain Tourism Development Authority will meet to review financial reports, discuss old and new business, and hear the marketing director's report. Key items include a request to purchase a snow gun for $30,600, planning for the Hi-Lo Trail event on August 26, and a September birding event. The board will also discuss ongoing projects like the Forked Trail, 321 sign, and short-term rentals.

• Snow gun purchase request: $30,600 from Snow Machines, Inc.
• Hi-Lo Trail brochure/campaign event August 26 at Buckeye Recreation Center
• September birding event to coincide with hawk migration
• Informal visitor center survey on what brought visitors to Beech Mountain
• Financial report: occupancy tax receipts $87,965 in July, up 51.32% from July 2020

Regular Town Council

The Beech Mountain Town Council will hold its regular meeting on August 10, 2021, with a consent agenda including budget amendment #2021-07 and an order to collect 2021 taxes. Under old business, the council will discuss an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) station, and under new business, it will discuss a speed limit on Bark Park Way (formerly Water Tank Road) and a wildlife habitat certification. The meeting also includes routine staff reports and a closed session for personnel matters.

• FY 2021 Budget Amendment #2021-07
• Order to Collect 2021 Tax
• Discussion: speed limit on Bark Park Way (renamed from Water Tank Road)
• National Wildlife Federation Certifies Beech Mountain a Wildlife Habitat
• EMS Station discussion (old business)

Board of Adjustment

The Beech Mountain Board of Adjustment will consider two variance requests that were tabled from the July 6 meeting because applicants were absent. The board will decide whether to allow reduced setbacks for a new house at 120 Hemlock Circle and a detached garage at 112 Teaberry Trail. Staff reports recommend approval for both, citing unique lot shapes and hardships.

• VAR 2021-150: 120 Hemlock Circle – request to reduce 20-ft front and/or 15-ft side setbacks to build a new house
• VAR 2021-151: 112 Teaberry Trail – request to reduce 15-ft side setback by about 6 ft for a detached garage
• Both items were tabled from the July 6, 2021 meeting because applicants were not present

Planning Board Meeting

The Beech Mountain Planning Board will consider adopting minutes from May and June 2021, continue its discussion on short-term rental regulations, and begin reviewing affordable and workforce housing issues as requested by the Town Council. The board is expected to finalize its short-term rental recommendations and gather business community input on housing within four months.

• Adoption of minutes for May 25 and June 29, 2021 meetings
• Continued discussion on short-term rental regulations, including draft recommendations and state legislation H.B. 829
• Review of affordable and workforce housing, with staff report from Town Planner Preston Yates
• Council request to consult businesses including Beech Mountain Resort, Beech Mountain Club, and Mr. Fred Upthagrove

Tourism Development Authority Meeting

The Beech Mountain Tourism Development Authority will meet to review its financial report, including occupancy tax and budget status, and discuss old business items like trail signs, the playground, and the parking lot. New business includes a presentation on AirDNA data and scheduling future meetings. The agenda is largely procedural, with most items being updates or discussions rather than final decisions.

• Financial report on occupancy tax and budget to date
• Discussion of rolling funding forward for projects and grants
• Updates on Forked Trail, 321 and Creek signs, and radio station
• New business: AirDNA data presentation
• Marketing and director's report by Kate Gavenus

Regular Town Council

The Beech Mountain Town Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed Emergency Medical Services station, consider consent agenda items including a budget amendment, a solid waste franchise agreement with Republic Services, and a commercial water/sewer fee adjustment, and receive monthly reports from town departments.

• Public hearing for Emergency Medical Services Station
• Amending FY 2020-2021 Budget Ordinance
• Solid Waste Franchise Agreement with Republic Services
• Amend Commercial Water and Sewer Fee Schedule to equal residential rates
• Budget Amendment #2021-06

Board of Adjustment Meeting

The Beech Mountain Board of Adjustment will elect a chair and vice-chair, then consider two variance requests to reduce required setbacks under the town's zoning ordinance. Staff recommends approval for both, citing unique lot shapes and conditions. The board may approve, approve with conditions, table, or deny each request.

• VAR 2021-150: 120 Hemlock Circle — request to reduce 20-ft front and/or 15-ft side setbacks to build a new house; three options proposed (17-ft, 15-ft, or 9-ft setbacks)
• VAR 2021-151: 112 Teaberry Trail — request to reduce 15-ft side setback by about 6 ft for 12 linear ft to build a detached garage
• Elect Chair and Vice-Chair for one-year terms

Planning Board Meeting

The Planning Board is discussing and recommending regulations for short-term rentals (STRs) in Beech Mountain, including defining STRs, requiring permits, setting occupancy limits, and increasing enforcement. The board will present these recommendations to the Town Council for potential action.

• Proposed ordinance to require STR zoning permits and registration
• Recommendation to set occupancy caps (e.g., 3x bathrooms, 2x bedrooms +2, or 1 per 200 sq ft)
• Proposal to require two off-street parking spaces for STRs with 2 bedrooms, plus one per additional bedroom
• Recommendation for $1,000,000 liability insurance and designated responsible party for each STR
• Proposal to seek legislative change to collect 50% administrative fee on occupancy tax

Tourism Development Authority Meeting

The Beech Mountain Tourism Development Authority is meeting to consider its annual budget for fiscal year 2021-2022, including a public hearing to gather comments. The board will also review financial reports, occupancy tax collections, and invoices paid in May. Old business items include updates on the Pineapple budget, radio tower channel, Hi-Lo Trail, grants, Bark Park bathroom, and playground.

• Public hearing for FY 2021-2022 TDA Annual Budget
• Occupancy Tax / Budget to date report
• FY 2021-2022 Tourism Development Authority Annual Budget
• Invoices Paid in May
• Updates on Pineapple Budget, Radio Tower Channel, Hi-Lo Trail, Grants, Bark Park Bathroom, Playground

Regular Town Council

The Beech Mountain Town Council will hold three public hearings: on the FY 2021-2022 annual budget, on zoning ordinance revisions required by NCGS 160D, and on a proposed Republic Services franchise agreement for commercial solid waste collection. The council will also consider adopting the budget, approving the zoning revisions, and entering the franchise agreement, along with other items like selling property at 144 Wild Daisy Ln. and financing vehicles and equipment.

• Public hearing and adoption of FY 2021-2022 annual budget
• Public hearing and approval of NCGS 160D zoning ordinance revisions
• Public hearing on Republic Services franchise agreement and ordinance for commercial solid waste collection (3-year initial term)
• Sale of real property at 144 Wild Daisy Ln. (accept high bid)
• Vehicle and equipment financing proposal

Planning Board Meeting

This is a procedural agenda with no substantive items listed. The board will call the meeting to order, adopt the agenda and minutes, take public comment, and address old and new business before adjourning.

Town Council FY: 2021-2022 Budget Retreat

The Town Council is holding a budget retreat to review the proposed annual budget for fiscal year 2021-2022. The draft budget covers all town funds, including general, utility, sanitation, and emergency telephone system funds, with detailed revenue and expenditure projections. The council will discuss and potentially adopt the budget, which includes a total general fund of $9,270,716 and a utility fund of $3,397,001.

• General fund total budget of $9,270,716, with $2,169,863 appropriated from fund balance
• Proposed ad valorem tax revenue of $3,928,426 for current year
• Local sales tax revenue projected at $1,585,000
• Utility fund budget of $3,397,001, including $670,327 in debt service
• Sanitation fund budget of $807,479, with $47,739 in debt service

Tourism Development Authority Meeting

The Beech Mountain Tourism Development Authority is meeting to adopt its agenda and minutes, review financial reports including occupancy tax and a budget amendment, and discuss old and new business. Old business includes Pineapple event recaps, a radio update, the town birthday event, the draft FY 2021-22 budget, the Hi-Lo Trail, and websites. New business includes Round 2 grants, an Appalachian State proposal on the economic value of the town trail system, and the Visitor Center Expansion project.

• Financial report: occupancy tax/budget to date, budget amendment, invoices paid in April
• Draft budget FY 2021-22
• Round 2 grants
• Appalachian State proposal for economic value of town trail system
• Visitor Center Expansion project

Planning Board Meeting

The Beech Mountain Planning Board is meeting to consider possible regulations for short-term rentals (STRs) within town limits, as requested by the Town Council. The board will analyze STR impacts and evaluate rules on parking, noise, trash, and other issues, with recommendations due within six months. The agenda also includes adoption of minutes from the February 23, 2021 meeting.

• Review of short-term rental regulations, including parking, noise, and trash impacts
• Adoption of minutes from the February 23, 2021 Planning Board meeting

Town Council FY: 2021-2022 Budget Retreat

The Beech Mountain Town Council is meeting for a budget retreat to discuss the FY 2021-2022 annual budget. The agenda includes adoption of the agenda, old business, new business on the budget, and council comments. No specific budget figures or decisions are listed in the agenda.

• FY 2021-2022 annual budget discussion

Tourism Development Authority Meeting

The Beech Mountain Tourism Development Authority is meeting to adopt the agenda and minutes, review the finance report including occupancy tax and grant applications, and discuss old and new business. Old business includes updates on the Jackrabbit project, websites, radio/TV, the Hi-Lo Campaign, town birthday, grants, bylaws, and the draft 2021-22 budget. New business includes a grant extension and application process modification, annual marketing review, future marketing focus, an additional bark park, and Wynne Park fill and drainage/beautification.

• Adoption of minutes from March 10 and March 16, 2021
• Finance report: occupancy tax, revenues/expenditures, March TDA invoices, grant applications
• Draft Budget 2021-22 discussion
• Grant extension and modification of application process
• Additional Bark Park and Wynne Park fill/drainage/beautification

Regular Town Council

The Beech Mountain Town Council is meeting to adopt the agenda, approve consent items including a budget amendment and a resolution opposing state bills, and discuss new business. The main item is a proposal to call for a public hearing on solid waste ordinance revisions, following public complaints about trash issues. The council will also receive reports from town departments.

• FY 2021 Budget Ordinance Amendment #4
• Water and Wastewater Systems Capital Improvements Plan adoption
• Resolution opposing SB 349/HB 401 and HB 291
• Call for public hearing on Solid Waste Ordinance revisions
• Proclamation for Arbor Day

Tourism Development Authority Meeting

The Beech Mountain Tourism Development Authority is meeting to review grant applications and conduct new business. The agenda is largely procedural, with no specific grant amounts or project names listed. A closed session is scheduled under North Carolina statute for a confidential matter.

• Grant review of tourism-related funding requests
• Closed session under NC GS 143-318.11(4)
• New business discussion
• Meeting held via Zoom

Tourism Development Authority Meeting

The Beech Mountain Tourism Development Authority is meeting to adopt the agenda and minutes, review financial reports including occupancy tax and audit engagement, discuss old business items such as the billboard, TV channels, second sledding hill, and various project updates, and consider the preliminary budget for FY 2021-2022. The meeting is open to the public via Zoom.

• Financial report: occupancy tax/budget to date, invoices paid in February, audit engagement for FY 2020-2021
• Old business: billboard, TV channels, second sledding hill final receipts, webcam, Jackrabbit, 40th birthday celebration trees, radio station update, quilt trail update, parking area at Emerald Outback, bark park/sled hill bathroom and sled shack buildings, forked trail, wayfinding signs, visitor center expansion, grants, town signs at Buckeye Road, retreat March 16, 2021
• New business: preliminary budget FY 2021-2022
• Marketing and director's report by Kate Gavenus