Joint Public Statement for 12/14/21 Public Hearing (6:30pm @ Town of Maggie)
regarding Zoning Designations for 751 Soco Rd. (Cow Pasture)
From:  Brookside Lane Property Owners
 
To:  Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen
 
Speaking on behalf of the residents on Brookside Lane, given our properties border the ‘Cow Pasture’ (751 Soco Rd.), and any development here will directly impact our properties, we request the Board give careful consideration to our concerns, support our request for R-1: Low Density Zoning and address all other points expressed in this statement.
 
First, we fully support the Raven Ridge Homeowners Association resolution, adopted 11/27/21, by our Board of Directors and fellow homeowners. It provides excellent rationale for R-1 zoning, gateway impressions of Maggie Valley, traffic risks from Soco Rd., and waterway protections to the creek bordering and crossing our properties.
 
R-1 Zoning Designation - As a gateway property to Maggie Valley we believe R-1 is the only designation that can guarantee positive first impressions and be compatible with our existing neighborhoods. Although adjoining neighborhoods happen to be zoned R-2 & 3, the fact is we are all single family homes. The reason we invested in property here is because we wanted to live among single family home neighborhoods. Not surrounded by multi-family housing or mobile home parks. Both R-2 & R-3 open the door for incompatible development with our existing neighborhoods, would devalue our properties and risk negative first impressions traveling into Maggie Valley. For these reasons, we request the board give careful consideration to our concerns and support our request for R-1: Low Density Zoning designation.
 
Dangerous / Congested Soco Traffic Concerns – Traffic safety considerations are a very important concern, especially at this particular juncture on Soco Rd. Even an R-1: Low Density development will add significant congestion potentially leading to traffic jams, frustrations, negative impressions for residents and visitors and potentially dangerous situations. Traffic travels very fast through here and entrances to both Raven Ridge and 751, in both directions, are almost totally obscured by the hill. Even now, safe access to Raven Ridge can be a challenge. Add speed, to this natural obstruction of the hill, to the Moody Farm stoplight, along with the second access to Moody Farm, plus access to Raven Ridge and now expanded access for a new development and we have a serious traffic situation at the very entrance to Maggie Valley that will need careful planning.
 
Brookside Creek Protection – Although this was addressed in our HOA resolution, we need to emphasize how important it is that the current flow of the creek bordering and crossing our property must be protected and not altered or obstructed in any way whatsoever. The name of our street is Brookside Lane because the creek has been a primary valuable asset since the beginning of our neighborhood. We understand there are state protections governing waterways but regardless of whatever zoning designation we’re asking for assurances that our enjoyment and access to this asset won’t be altered or compromised in any way.
 
Site Plan Review & Comment – Currently our properties enjoy unobstructed westerly mountain views. Brookside Lane property owners border the ‘cow pasture’. More than any other properties in Raven Ridge, we will be the most negatively impacted by any new development. We’re not sure what the standard procedure is for approval of site plans, but for this reason, we request an opportunity for public review & comment to any site plans before they approved.

Closing Comments – We thank you for this opportunity to express our concerns and hope you will give serious consideration to our request for R-1: Low Density zoning, as well as attention to our comments about Traffic Safety, Creek Protections, and Site Plan Review & Comment.

Brookside Lane property owners supporting the concerns & requests in this statement:
 
Henry & Mary Skinner
Manuel & Susan Koutsourais
Gloria Olson
- Cindy Hoesly
- Wanda Norman
- Julie Donoghue
- Jeff Olson

Peter and Jeanne will be back to Maggie after the holidays and are looking forward to meeting everyone.

Thank you Yvonne for your generous gift to Raven Ridge - to initiate and finance the replanting of bushes and plants in the garden at the front of the commons and also the stone border.  It looks great!