Last Updated on August 24, 2026 10:46 am
BOONE — The Boone Town Council meets at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, in the Town Council Chambers at 1500 Blowing Rock Road.
The agenda includes a work session on annexation policy, an informal discussion of a proposed rezoning at Boone Golf Club, two water intake contracts totaling $997,568, a vote on an invasive species text amendment, the local historic landmark designation report for the Jones House, a resolution naming an ABC permitting official and an appointment to the Human Relations Commission.
Public comment is on the agenda.
WORK SESSION: ANNEXATION POLICY
The meeting opens with a work session on annexation policy, submitted by Planning and Inspections Director Jane Shook.
The agenda item form describes it as a “discussion on the cost-benefit analysis of certain annexations required under the water-sewer code, in light of state law changes removing the Town's zoning authority over certain state-owned or managed projects.”
Reference documents listed for the discussion include Town Code § 50.286 on connections to properties within town limits, Town Code § 50.291 on extensions and non-hardship connections outside town limits, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D-913, and sections of the town's comprehensive plan, Boone Next.
No action is requested.
REQUESTED APPEARANCE: 433 FAIRWAY DRIVE
Under requested appearances, the owners of Boone Golf Club will present for an informal discussion of a proposed rezoning at 433 Fairway Drive.
The agenda item, submitted by Deputy Planning Director Brandon Wise, states: “The Owner's of Boone Golf Club would like to give a presentation for an informal discussion with council about a proposed rezoning of the property located at 433 Fairway Drive (Boone Golf Club). The proposal includes re-zoning to include an 18 hole golf course, a section of single family housing, and two sections of multi-family housing.”
A 15-page zoning submittal booklet is attached to the agenda packet. According to that booklet, the club covers approximately 153 acres within the town limits, and the majority of stockholders have decided they would like to sell the property.
The booklet describes a plan that retains the full 18-hole course and creates three development sites:
— The existing ninth fairway, about 4.5 acres, with 22 townhouse units ranging from 2,400 to 3,200 square feet in five four-unit buildings and one two-unit building.
— The existing practice range, about 4.5 acres, with 32 “cottage lots” of about 50 by 100 feet, averaging 2,500 square feet.
— A site of just over two acres on Kellwood Drive, with two 14-unit condominium buildings and a third building of eight stacked flats averaging 1,500 square feet. The booklet describes this site as “an ideal location for workforce housing.”
The booklet states a total of 96 new housing units. The three sites as described total 90.
Rather than a conventional rezoning, the booklet proposes maintaining the property's existing R/A designation and placing conditional use restrictions on the development parcels, along with the clubhouse area.
Listed golf course changes include moving the ninth fairway from the south to the north side of an existing stream, new tees on the first and ninth holes, a new water quality pond near the ninth tees, relocating the eighth green closer to the South Fork New River, shifting the 14th fairway 25 to 30 yards north, building a new warm-up area and rebuilding the putting green.
The booklet lists possible additional revenue items for the club, including expanded food and beverage service, a lodge of eight to 12 guest rooms, golf and gaming simulators, and snow tubing near the 10th tees.
The booklet states that no golf course changes or site development would occur in the floodplain or floodway, that 30-foot vegetated buffers would be maintained along streams, and that the owners do not anticipate requesting variances or exemptions from town ordinances.
The item is listed as an informal discussion. It is not a public hearing, and no vote is scheduled.
CONSENT AGENDA
Four items are on the consent agenda, which is approved in a single vote unless a council member asks to pull an item.
Engineering services agreement, South Fork raw water intake hazard mitigation project. Deputy Public Works Director Joshua Eller reports that Kimley-Horn was selected through a request for qualifications process and recommends an engineering services agreement for $307,568, “which will be funded as a part of SFR Hurricane Helen allocation; therefore, no expenses will be incurred by the Town.”
According to Kimley-Horn's letter in the packet, Hurricane Helene's rainfall in late September 2024 caused flooding at the South Fork New River raw water pump station, with a recorded flood elevation approximately five feet above the building's finished floor. The station was taken out of service and given interim emergency electrical repairs to restore 3.0 million gallons per day of firm pumping capacity. The letter states the town operates three raw water pump stations and one booster station serving the Ricky L. Miller Water Treatment Facility, which is permitted at 4.5 million gallons per day.
Winkler's Creek raw water intake dredging project. Eller reports that the intake “was rendered inoperable resulting from storm debris during Hurricane Helene” and recommends awarding the project to Thomas Brown Construction, LLC for $690,000, to be funded through FEMA.
The project engineer, Municipal Engineering Inc., wrote that bids were opened Aug. 13 and that Thomas Brown Construction submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid. The bid tabulation lists two bidders: Thomas Brown Construction at $690,000 and The J.W. Hampton Company at $729,900.
Resolution, ABC permitting official. Assistant Police Chief Shane Robbins reports that state law requires council to adopt a resolution designating an official to make recommendations on the suitability of applicants and locations for ABC permits. Because the current designee is retiring, the police department recommends appointing Major Jon Houck, effective immediately.
Minutes. Council will consider the minutes of the Aug. 12 regular meeting.
PLANNING MATTERS
July 27 public hearing cases. Two cases were heard at the July 27 public hearing.
Case A26-0448, an invasive species text amendment to Unified Development Ordinance Article 31 and Appendix C, is up for action. According to the staff report, the Article 31 changes “clearly prevent invasive species from being planted on permitted sites within the Town of Boone, while also allowing for easier removal of existing invasive species that are in required landscape buffers.” The Appendix C changes remove species from the town's recommended planting list, including some that are prone to ice failure or weak in high winds.
The Planning Commission voted 6-0 that the amendment is consistent with the comprehensive plan and 6-0 to recommend approval. In the commission's minutes, Deputy Planning Director Brandon Wise clarified that the town could not enforce removal of an existing invasive species on private property, but that the amendment would make it easier for an owner to do so and replant with a native species by waiving the permit application requirement.
If adopted, the ordinance takes effect immediately.
Case A26-0357, a conditional district zoning map amendment at 115 Beverly Heights Avenue, was requested to be tabled to the Sept. 23 council meeting.
Conditional district process update. Planning Director Jane Shook reports that staff has developed new guidance documents and templates for conditional district zoning map amendments so that applications “are complete and comparable across different applications.” Staff will present the materials and be available to discuss how the revised process is working and whether adjustments are needed.
Jones House local historic landmark designation report. Advanced Planning Specialist Jessica Mitchell reports that the Historic Preservation Commission began the designation process in late 2023, that staff has now completed the report, and that the commission recommended forwarding it to council and to the N.C. State Historic Preservation Office at its Aug. 11 advisory meeting.
The report covers the John Walter Jones House at 604 W. King St., built in 1908 for Dr. John Walter Jones. It describes the house as significant for its association with Jones between 1908 and 1925 and as “a rare and outstanding example of Queen Anne-influenced architecture within the town limits of Boone.” The proposed designation includes the exterior of the house, the adjoining grounds and two Civil War-era sugar maple trees at the front edge of the parcel.
The report notes the town purchased the home in 1983 and that restrictions placed on the property by Mazie Jones Levenson require its use as a cultural or historic center or park.
If council approves the report, staff will submit it to the State Historic Preservation Office for review. The commission will then consider that feedback and make a recommendation, and the case will be presented at a future public hearing.
COUNCIL MATTERS
Appointment to the Human Relations Commission. Town Clerk Nicole Harmon reports that Alex Castillo's first term expires Sept. 10 and that one application was received after advertising — Castillo's request for reappointment.
CLOSED SESSION
The agenda lists a closed session under three provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11: subsection (a)(1), to review, approve and seal minutes from prior closed sessions; (a)(3), to consult with the town attorney concerning one or more potential legal claims; and (a)(6), to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness or conditions of appointment or initial employment of a public officer or employee.
Potential action following closed session is listed before adjournment.
The full agenda and 141-page packet are posted on the town's online agenda portal.
