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Hendersonville News

Motorist appeals parking ticket to City Hall — and wins

Raymond Stone says a false assurance from city parking ambassador led to a $25 parking ticket at a city lot. He wanted the city to tear up the ticket. The city agreed.   Read Story »

Edneyville News

LIGHTNING EDITORIAL: Growth highlights need for comp plan update

Henderson County commissioners are having a hard time deciding whether to invest in a sewer line to serve the new Edneyville Elementary School because they have no idea what the longterm impact might be. It’s understandable.Development follows utility lines. Growth continues here at a pace not seen since the pre-crash days up to 2008. We’re seeing development heat up in the form of multi-family or senior housing requests that have come before the Board of Commissioners and Hendersonville City Council. The sewer line question has vexed commissioners because it could lead to explosive growth, because it would add pressure to transform apple orchards into tract housing and because it renews the bugaboo that the county would be ceding control of growth management to the city of Hendersonville, which owns the sewage treatment plant.County Engineer Marcus Jones presented a detailed study of the options for serving the new elementary school. One of the statistics was that zoning along the sewer line path would permit 10,766 multi-family units — a figure that’s more of a math equation than a market analysis. Overwhelmed by that alarming statistic and other factors, commissioners booted the sewer line decision for a second time after directing the county manager to negotiate a possible cost-sharing arrangement with the city.The issue, as Commissioner Grady Hawkins observed, is much larger than the Edneyville sewer line alone. The county’s comprehensive land-use plan, and not a sewer line, ought to guide growth in the county. Adopted in 2007 — after years of resistance by elected leaders of the day, including Hawkins — the comp plan is starting to fray from development pressure and a real estate market shift from big houses on one-acre lots to condos, cluster homes and rental units on grass that the busy retiree doesn’t have to mow.“It’s about at its shelf life,” Hawkins said of the 10-year-old land development code. “We need to be working on an update to the comprehensive land-use plan…. One way or another, we’re going to do something and I think it needs to be in concert with a plan that’s fairly well coordinated with the comprehensive land-use plan.”For veteran consumers of news about county government, Hawkins’ epiphany is meaningful. Among the five commissioners, Hawkins has the most experience in the politics of land-use planning and the deepest appreciation for the hazardous shoals of rezoning requests.In the recent past, homeowners have filled county meeting rooms to express shock and anger that:• Rural residential (R2R) zoning, which permits just two dwellings per acre, allows an event barn, which is a commercial use.• Residential One (R1) zoning (intended to “foster orderly growth where the principal use of land is residential) allows 16 dwellings per acre plus an RV park, restaurant, clubhouse, wellness center, etc.• Residential 2 (R2) zoning would allow 198 rental units on the 85-acre Horse Shoe Farm property on the French Broad River.In addition, the land-use code allows dozens of commercial or institutional uses allowed in residential zones as long as the Zoning Board of Adjustment issues a special-use permit.An Edneyville sewer line would be the latest potential driver of development that raises the need for a fresh look at the comp plan. There will be others. The Board of Commissioners is at a point how where it ought to authorize a broad review of the land development code with a goal of making the plan more compatible with the market.A standard SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) would show commissioners that the comp plan is weak when it comes to protecting established residential zones from dense and intense development.With the right land-use tools, the Board of Commissioners could turn a bullish real estate market, the baby boom retirement wave and an Edneyville sewer line into an opportunity for quality growth.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

No thanks, county says to Lake Osceola offer

Henderson County won't buy Lake Osceloa. Henderson County commissioners on Wednesday devoted a short discussion to the idea before voting unanimously to tell the lake's owner thanks but no thanks for his offer to sell the lake. Owner Todd Leoni last month offered to sell the lake to Henderson County for $3 million, saying that the 32-acre lake could be developed for fishing, walking and other recreation. "I would not be for it right now or maybe never with the condition of the dam," said Commissioner Charlie Messer. "We've got sewer issues and a lot of other issues down the road." "It is a potential opportunity but I just don't think the county is in a position to consider it," said Chairman Michael Edney. Commissioner Grady Hawkins added: "I would tell him thanks for the offer but at this point between want and need I don't think we're in a position to venture into the lake business." Leoni told Henderson County officials in an email he is offering the county the exclusive right to buy the lake as long as it remains a lake forever, maintained by the county and open to the public. The lake, which has had problems with its dam for many years, is not currently filled as work continues on the structure. "I am upgrading the dam and it will be in full compliance when I turn it over to the county," Leoni said. Besides the 32-acre lake, Leoni owns lakeside land that he said could be developed for public access. He also owns Mountain Lake Inn on North Lakeside Drive. "It’s killed my business for the past two years to have it down," he said of the dam. The inn is still open "but we have very limited check-ins because we don’t have a lake." Once filled, the lake could be a destination for local people and tourists, he said. Under conditions of his offer, Leoni asked that the property be "maintained as a lake forever, that the county maintains it and manages it and opens it up to the public." Commissioners made no comments and took no action after Leoni appeared before the board on Sept. 5.     Read Story »

Henderson County News

Don't miss this week's Hendersonville Lightning (143)

You won't want to miss this week’s Hendersonville Lightning. Only in the Lightning will you read aboutthe settlementthat will lead to the distribution of $5.5 million to Seven Falls property owners. Only the Lightning reports on a new pizza chain coming to Seventh Avenue East, the possible demolition of the historic Lampley Motors building on Church Street and read about a fourth generation Bearcat who leads the senior class at Hendersonville High School. You'll read dozens of local and community briefs, Ask Matt and more. You've got to get a copy because it's only in print and it's only in your Hendersonville Lightning.Here’s where you can pick up a LightningHendersonville• Hendersonville Lightning Office, 1111 Asheville Hwy• Pop's Diner, 5 Points, North Main Street• Triangle Stop, 701 North Main Street• The 500 block of North Main Street(First Citizens Bank / Mast Gen. Store)• Black Bear Coffee Co., Main Street• The 300 block of North Main Street(McFarland's Bakery / Mike's on Main). Pardee Hospital in the lobby. Flat Rock Playhouse, downtown(100 block of South Main Street)Southside Hendersonville(Spartanburg Highway)• Hairstyles by Charlene, Joel Wright Drive• McDonald's, Spartanburg Highway• Norm's Minit Mart, Spartanburg Highway• Hendersonville Co-op• Burger King/BP, Spartanburg HighwayIngles SupermarketSouthside Hendersonville(Greenville Highway)Carolina Ace HardwareWhitley Drug StoreFlat Rock/East Flat Rock• Flat Rock Post Office• Zirconia Post Office• East Flat Rock Post Office• Orr's Family Restaurant, Spartanburg Hwy• Energy Mart Exxon, Upward Road & I-26• Triangle Stop, 754 Upward Road & I-26Village Café and PubPage 2Hendersonville(Kanuga Road)• Hot Dog World, Kanuga Road• Mr. Pete's Market, Kanuga Road• Norm's Minit Mart, Kanuga RoadHendersonville(Fifth Avenue)Hendersonville Post officeFifth Aenue ShellLaurel Park• YMCA H'ville, Sixth Ave & Oak Str• Laurel Park Village, Rite-Aid.• Energy Mart Exxon, Brevard Road at Daniel DriveDixie Diner, Brevard RoadHighway 64(Brevard Road)• Horse Shoe Post Office• Mr. Pete's Market, Etowah, Hwy 64-W• Blue Ridge Pizza, Etowah, Hwy 64-W• Etowah Shopping Center, EtowahHighway 191(Haywood Road)• Joey's New York Bagels, Hwy 191• One-Stop Store #8, Haywood Road (Hwy 191)• Dollar General, Hwy 191 & Mountain RoadMills River• Triangle Stop, 4197 Haywood Road, Mills River• Mills River Family Restaurant. Food LionInglesPage 3Eastside Hendersonville and Four Seasons Boulevard• Norm's Minit Mart, Dana Road• Fatz Cafe, Dana Road & Four Seasons Blvd• Grocery Outlet, off Four Seasons Boulevard• McDonald's, Four Seasons Boulevard• Energy Mart Exxon, Four Seasons BoulevardMustang CafeHighway 64 East(Chimney Rock Highway)• Triangle Stop, 2545 Chimney Rock Road, Hwy 64-E• Mr. Pete's Market, East, Hwy 64-E • Griffin's Store, Edneyville, Hwy 64-E• Edneyville Post Office. Griffins Store, EdneyvilleShell station, 64 East and Sugarloaf RoadIngles, Howard Gap RoadMoose CafeHighway 25 North(Asheville Highway)• The Ugly Mug Coffee Shop, Hwy 25-N• Triangle Stop, Hwy 25-N, Balfour• Mountain Home Post Office• Fletcher Post OfficeInglesNaples Post OfficeTravel Plaza, US 25 and I-26Southern & Eastern Henderson County, Polk County• Dana Post Office• Rosco's Grocery, Green River• Saluda Post Office• Triangle Stop, 1487 Ozone Road, SaludaAll Henderson County Ingles StoresAll Henderson County Post Offices   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

County GOP to celebrate new headquarters

The Henderson County Republican Party will host a grand opening of its headquarters from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. The new space is located at 170 Four Seasons Shopping Center behind the Applebee’s Restaurant on Four Seasons Boulevard. The public is invited.Light refreshments will include the HCGOP’s famous Apple Festival Apple Cobbler (while it lasts). “We are very pleased to have this new headquarters facility,” said party Chair Merry Guy. “It’s very convenient in terms of location, parking, and layout. This is an all-around great place for us to hold educational forums, conduct Party business and help Republican candidates win. We anticipate being in the building and open to the public from now until after the 2020 elections, with an option to renew.” “We believe our new headquarters will enable us to further Republican policy positions, meet with more voters and provide a central location to gather to plan for the future," she added. "Our goal is to help build ‘A better America for all Americans’ and we are just delighted to be able to open for business this early in the 2018 election cycle.” For more information contact Merry Guy through the HCGOP website, hendersoncountygop.com, or call 828-693-6040.   Read Story »

Mills River News

School system names principal of the year

Chad Auten, principal at Mills River Elementary, was named the 2017-18 Principal of the Year for Henderson County Public Schools on Friday during a surprise presentation at a student assembly. “I’m Principal of the Year because of the teachers that are here, and the students that are here,” Auten told the students and faculty. “I feel blessed every day to come to work with you guys.” Each school year, the Principal of the Year is nominated by and voted on by his or her peers – the other 22 principals in the Henderson County Public Schools system, giving special significance to the designation. “It’s an awesome group of principals I work with – the best in the state,” Auten said. “So it’s quite an honor to be chosen by them.” In his fifth year as principal at Mills River Elementary, Auten has fostered a sense of community among his students, staff, and Falcon parents, who describe the school on social media and in the hallways with #ThePlaceToBe. “Mr. Auten is a dedicated and passionate leader who loves his students, staff, and community,” said Chief Human Resources Officer Scott Rhodes. “He has created a school culture where all stakeholders take pride in making Mills River Elementary #ThePlaceToBe.” Auten joined Henderson County Public Schools in 1998 as a Career & Technical Education teacher at Apple Valley Middle after graduating from Illinois State University, and taught for six years before being named assistant principal at West Henderson High in 2004. After three years at West, Auten became principal at Edneyville Elementary in 2007, and remained there for six years. In 2013, he became principal of Mills River Elementary, where he’s served ever since. In addition to his undergraduate degree, Auten holds a Masters in School Administration from Western Carolina University. At Friday’s assembly, Mills River Elementary’s data manager, Nita Owens, reminded students that as they practice the leadership habits they’re learning in Franklin Covey’s The Leader In Me, they should watch how their principal speaks and acts. “As we are learning our 7 Habits, we have no further to look for a role model than Mr. Auten,” Owens said.   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

Local attorneys make 'Best Lawyers' list

Twenty attorneys in 29 different areas of law for the Van Winkle Law Firm have been named to the 24th edition of The Best Lawyers in America, which has been called “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice” by Corporate Counsel magazine. In addition, three Van Winkle attorneys received the highest overall peer feedback for a specific practice area and have been recognized as “Lawyer of the Year,” including trust and estates specialist Robert H. Haggard of the Van Winkle’s Hendersonville office. Also recognized from the Hendersonville office were Adam L. Shealy, trusts and estates, and Caroline T. Knox, elder law.Others were Jones P. Byrd – Litigation – Real Estate; Stephen J. Grabenstein – Litigation – Trusts & Estates; Albert L. Sneed Jr. - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Commercial Litigation; Corporate Law; Allan R. Tarleton - Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants; Workers' Compensation Law – Employers; Carleton C. Metcalf – Litigation – Banking & Finance; Caroline T. Knox – Elder Law; Carolyn L. Coward - Corporate Compliance Law; Health Care Law; Craig D. Justus – Land Use and Zoning Law; Litigation – Land Use & Zoning; Dale A. Curriden – Commercial Litigation; Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants; Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants; David M. Wilkerson – Litigation – Patent; Esther E. Manheimer - Appellate Practice; Litigation – Land Use & Zoning; Litigation – Real Estate; Larry C. Harris - Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Commercial Transactions / UCC Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Larry M. McDevitt - Commercial Litigation; Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants & Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Litigation – Patent’ Lindsay P. Thompson – Real Estate Law; John G. Kelso – Trusts & Estates; Jones P. Byrd – Construction Law; Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law; Litigation – Real Estate; Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Mark A. Pinkston - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law; Stephen J. Grabenstein - Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Trusts & Estates; Trusts & Estates; Phillip J. Smith - Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Litigation – Construction; Barry B. Kempson (Of Counsel) – Trusts & Estates.   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

Kanuga Road residents urge city to oppose widening

Kanuga Road residents continue to voice anxiety over a road widening project that will take part of their yards.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Land conservancy saves 1,000 acres on Little White Oak Mountain

Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy and Pacolet Area Conservancy have partnered preserve a 1,068-acre tract on Little White Oak Mountain that protects several federally-endangered species, more than 13 miles of streams and nearly 400 acres of the Little White Oak Mountain/Tryon Peak Natural Heritage Area.   Read Story »

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