Latest News
Public Hearing Continues on Violation of Blowing Rock Short Term Rental Regulations
A quiet Blowing Rock neighborhood has found its tranquility challenged—some say ruined—by noise, traffic, by non-residents’ cars blocking access, and by strangers reportedly seen crossing adjacent properties day and night. Those complaints prompted action on the part of the Town of Blowing Rock, action centering on the apparent illegal use the property with the owner…
Blowing Rock Occupancy Tax up 9.5%
Dear Friends of Blowing Rock, Please read a recent article in the Watauga Democrat citing a 13.4% increase in occupancy tax in the county. Blowing Rock’s growth in 2019 was 9.56 percent, up to $1.15 million from $1.05 million in 2018. Blowing Rock had two negative months in 2019 compared to 2018, March and June,…
Sidewalks to Bass Lake
Dear Friends of Blowing Rock, The Bass Lake sidewalk project along U.S. 221 from downtown Blowing Rock to Bass Lake will start in March after the construction contract was awarded during the February Blowing Rock Town Council meeting. The project will start at the intersection of U.S. 221 and Main Street, with hopes of finishing…
Blowing Rock Board of Adjustments Hearing – Short Term Rental Violation at 163 Wilmot Circle
January 25, 2020 Dear Friends of Blowing Rock, A very important hearing of a violation of town short term rental regulations lasted five hours on Thursday night, January 23rd at Blowing Rock Town Hall. The hearing is a quasi-judicial proceeding. Civic Association board members were in attendance. The hearing with lawyers in abundance resumes at…
Valley Boulevard ‘vision’ presented to Blowing Rock Council
The Valley Boulevard Committee presented their community findings and recommendations to the Council at the January meeting. Benchmark Consulting assisted the Committee to engage the community and develop the recommendations. Town Council members Sue Sweeting and Albert Yount served on the Committee with other community volunteers appointed by the Council members. The process was a…
Winter Retreat – Town Council Priorities for 2020
THE MESSAGE IS LONG BUT IMPORTANT Dear Friends of Blowing Rock, OVERVIEW I attended the 3 day Winter Retreat in early January to gain a first-hand understanding of the Town Council priorities and determine if the Town’s priorities line up with our Top 10 Priorities. Our Town Manager, Shane Fox, facilitated a well-organized meeting. Preparation…
Watauga County Sample Ballot for March 3rd Primary
Dear Friends of Blowing Rock, The Sample Ballot for the Watauga County Primary is now available on the Board of Elections Website for your review. The link is http://www.wataugacounty.org/App_Pages/Dept/BOE/notices.aspx About 1/3 of our Blowing Rock voters are registered as Independents. Unaffiliated voters must choose either a Democratic, Libertarian, or Republican ballot as there are no…
Letter to Town Council – Top 10 Priorities for 2020
December 10, 2019 Honorable Mayor Sellers, Council Members Harwood, Matheson, Powell, Sweeting, and Yount and Town Manager Fox: 2019 is ending on a much more positive note than the beginning of the year! After two divisive public hearings in the beginning of the year, we have focused on building community consensus among stakeholders and encouraged…