Transylvania County Needs NEW Commissioners
If you ask them, Commissioners will tell you that they represent the people of the County. If you press, they will tell you they represent ALL the people of the County. But is that so? Several recent Commission actions (or, rather, inactions) might suggest otherwise.
The biomass fiasco of several years ago highlighted the need for some sort of land use doctrine. Several briefings were held, several options given but no action was taken. Land use and zoning are discussed in the County’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan, page 26: “Objective 1) Supports land use that increases the economic opportunities while preserving the cultural and natural resources.” I am sure that the owner of the County airport would have appreciated appropriate zoning as he faced numerous lawsuits from a disgruntled neighbor and two Dollar Stores have challenged Commissioners to come up with plans to protect our scenic byways (US 276 and US 64). Commissioners responded with hand wringing. The Plan also mentions that zoning already exists in the County in the Pisgah Forest Community Zoning District. The Cedar Mountain Small Area Plan, overwhelmingly supported by a majority of Cedar Mountain residents and similar to that in Pisgah Forest, faces an uncertain future in front of Commissioners, some of whom have “concerns”, while others just go along. This will clearly be an example of Commissioners ignoring the will of the people of Cedar Mountain if this plan is not accepted. So, I ask: “Whom do Commissioners represent?”
And what of the Ecusta Trail? Their own Comprehensive Plan states on page 40 Objective 4.b: “Partner with public and private entities to promote multi-use trails.” How is that working out since Commissioners refused to either endorse the concept or help the City of Brevard with a federal grant to pay for rail planning and development because some of them have “concerns”? This trail is going to happen. Land owners with a legitimate claim will be compensated but the right-of-way is private, owned by Conserving Carolina LLC. As to how the trail is developed to the best advantage of the citizens of the County, Commissioners would have more influence if they endorsed the concept of the trail, which would not require a monetary contribution or a commitment to future responsibility for the trail. Ignoring the issue does not serve the County. Mountain and road bikers, with the exception of our narrow roads with no bike lanes, are accommodated but there is a large contingent of families and others who want to ride their bikes on safe, level tracks who are not served. So, I ask again: “Whom do Commissioners represent?”
It doesn’t appear to me that they represent ALL of us and I suggest that, if we want things to be different, unlike Sisyphus who kept doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results, we need to elect different Commissioners.
