February 29, 2024
Greetings from BRCA 28605 and happy Thursday afternoon!
On February 13, 2024, the Town Council in Blowing Rock adopted the latest update to its Comprehensive Plan, the most recent in a series of updates going back to an initial comprehensive plan adopted in 1982. While BRCA cannot and does not claim credit for this accomplishment, we do note that some of our officers and Board members were among the members of the public who contributed comments and served on the committee working with the Town’s staff and consultants to develop the 2024 document. We support the long-range vision that underlies the Plan, that is:
The shared vision for the future of the Town of Blowing Rock is one of a vibrant mountain resort community that welcomes all with its charming authenticity and unique sense of place.
BRCA’s mission includes doing its part to keep its members and the public at large informed about important civic matters; the 2024 Plan update is certainly in that category. The drafters anticipate that during the next 10 years, it will guide Town staff, Town Council, appointed boards and committees, agencies and partners working with the Town, developers and the general public in suggesting and considering major policy changes, capital improvements and other potential projects.
The plan has four focus areas or major themes, as follows:
Downtown: Preserve and enhance Downtown Blowing Rock as the vibrant cultural centerpiece of the community
Connectivity: Ensure that all residents can freely move in and around the Town through a variety of transportation modes
Development: Manage the appearance, location, and characteristics of future development so that they complement and enhance the Town of Blowing Rock
Municipal Services: Continue to provide high quality public services to the Blowing Rock community and advocate for the improvement of services provided by outside vendors
Within each of these focus areas, the 2024 Plan update includes a number of implementation strategies. Here are a few that seem to be at the forefront of the Town Council’s priorities based on statements made at their January 2024 winter retreat and the February Council meeting: revise downtown zoning and design regulations seeking to maintain character and charm of existing and historic development; implement downtown paid parking with special arrangements for residents and employees; study location and funding options for additional parking facilities; implement water and sewer facilities plan with updates as needed; establish stormwater management enterprise fund.
BRCA congratulates the Town on its adoption of the 2024 Plan update, including its enunciation of a vision of a vibrant welcoming town. Our leadership looks forward to participating in its implementation in the coming years, in part by providing insights into the views and experience of the community’s homeowners who are our primary constituents.
From BR TDA TATTLER NEWSLETTER:
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitation This week, the National Park Service announced that 400 national parks reported a total of 325.5 million visits in 2023, with 16.7 million of those visits being to the Blue Ridge Parkway. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, visitation numbers saw an increase of 1 million or 6% over 2022, with slight increases across most months of the year. “The Parkway’s location, design, and proximity to so many gateway communities provide a wide array of rich natural, cultural, recreational, and historical experiences for park visitors,” said Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout. “Appealing to so many visitors of so many different interests and abilities is a hallmark of the Parkway experience across the decades.” See more from this news release here >> Blowing Rock Occupancy Tax Revenues totaled $115,504.60 in January. Overnight visitors in Blowing Rock pay this 6% tax on their hotel and short-term rental stays. For January, these collections represent $1,925,076 in revenues at our local lodging alone! This total is 13.15% more than January 2023. |
BRCA Summer Concert Series 2024
At Broyhill Park
June 13, July 11, August 8, 2024
Please mark your calendars!
2024 BRCA Annual Survey
The 2024 annual spring survey will be sent in mid-April. Thank you to those who were able to participate last year. Last year’s list included:
- 24/7 Ambulance Service
- Waterline Replacement
- Sewer connectivity for residents
- Storm Water Management
- Protecting neighborhoods from short term rentals
- Downtown development and codes update
- Capital spending priorities
- Paid parking
- Other
Super Tuesday is March 5, 2024
March
2nd – Early Voting Ends at Noon
5th – Presidential Preference Primary
Voting Reminders
Watauga Board of Elections Website:
https://www.wataugacounty.org/app_pages/dept/boe/home.aspx
Caldwell Board of Elections Website:
Sample Republican ballot Watauga:
https://www.wataugacounty.org/App_Pages/Dept/BOE/Forms/WATAUGA-20240305-SAMPLE-U-R0003-REP.pdf
Sample Democratic Ballot Watauga:
https://www.wataugacounty.org/App_Pages/Dept/BOE/Forms/WATAUGA-20240305-SAMPLE-U-D0001-DEM.pdf
Sample Republican ballot Caldwell:
https://nc-caldwellcounty.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/1566/CALDWELL-20240305-SAMPLE-E-R0003-REP?bidId=
Sample Democratic Ballot Caldwell:
https://nc-caldwellcounty.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/1568/CALDWELL-20240305-SAMPLE-E-D0001-DEM?bidId=
There are a number of choices for various offices so it’s helpful to review the ballot ahead of time. The ballots are two pages (front & back). REMEMBER: You will need an ID to show upon arrival in order to vote.
On behalf of all of us at BRCA we sincerely appreciate your financial support and generosity and you engagement. You support continues to help us bring you weekly updates from happenings around town. Have a great weekend!
Tom Barrett
VP & Executive Committee