Local input complete for county roadmap

Listen to Carter talk about the plan.

Residents have spoken.

And their comments have been condensed into a graphic-heavy 52-page input summary divided into nine topic areas by Clay County’s Comprehensive Planning Committee.

Kristy Carter, the coordinator of the entire package, shared the feedback from nearly 700 county residents with commissioners Thursday.

“Economic development is probably the biggest concern,” she said, noting that each of the nine topics (economic development, human services, infrastructure, housing and buildings, land stewardship, community space, county government, growth and development, and overall satisfaction) essentially relies on the first.

Now that the first round of community input is complete, the committee can move on to the second phase: a planning process meant to give commissioners a roadmap to guide future decisions for the county.

Carter and her team will review input gathered from 560 survey responses and 118 meeting participants to produce a series of recommendations during the next three months, if all goes according to plan.

By July, a draft of suggestions will be presented for commissioners to review, Carter said, adding that the plan will be revised between then and the end of September based on additional input.

Carter, who works for the N.C. Division of Community Assistance in Asheville, said Clay County had a strong level of community involvement compared to other areas in the region.

Commissioners should plan to host one or two special hearings to receive formal responses from the public, she said. Then, in October, the plan would be up for a vote of acceptance.

The committee needed to hear a comment at least three times for it to be included in the input summary, Carter said.

Some of the committee’s major findings:

• Local recycling efforts need to be improved, and broadband access must be expanded, citizens said. However, most people are satisfied with the current road access to the county, stating that there’s no need for a connecting four-lane highway.
• Many citizens are concerned about decreasing water quality in Lake Chatuge. Also, many suggested limiting or eradicating signs and billboards that pollute the natural beauty of the mountains. County regulations were a proposed solution.
• It’s important to increase opportunity for public involvement in county government and improve efforts to inform citizens. Some citizens, however, are concerned about the county’s debt burden.
• Respondents also voiced concern regarding abandoned or decaying vehicles and homes, widespread littering, and a lack of animal control measures, most notably for dogs.
• The county needs to support small businesses and increase employment opportunities. Citizens also said Clay County needs higher-paying jobs to prevent people from leaving the county. Some were concerned that young people are leaving because of a lack of jobs.
• While some people said too much emphasis is placed on downtown Hayesville, others said the area needed to be revitalized. Respondents agreed that it is key to attracting new businesses and industry to the county.
• Some respondents said the county should strive to find a balance that supports local small business while encouraging franchises to come to town. Others stated that Clay County should relish its heritage and set itself apart by keeping chain businesses out.
• Job loss was the top concern among survey respondents, who said that the county’s size and location limit needed employment opportunities in manufacturing and industry.
• The county needs more lodging options and should be promoted as a place to retire, some said.
• Three out of five respondents said it was very important to address steep slope development. Half said they were very satisfied with Clay County as a place to live and raise children.
• Some suggested that a fully staffed and paid fire department would be a strong asset.
• Respondents said that while Clay County is a friendly place to live, there is a perceived tension between locals and newcomers. Community conversations could ease the tension, some said.

Community input for the project began last August. Among respondents:

• 49 percent of those employed work exclusively in Clay County. 21 percent work in more than one county, including Clay. 30 percent work outside of Clay County.
• Of those employed outside of Clay, 30 percent work in Cherokee County.
• 51 percent are retired. 31 percent work full-time. 10 percent work part-time, and 8 percent do not work.
• 89 percent live in a house. 8.2 percent live in a manufactured home. 95 percent own their own home.
• 29 percent live around Hayesville. 18 percent live in Brasstown. 13 percent live in Shooting Creek.
• State of residence when not living in Clay County: 51 percent live in Florida. 26 percent live in Georgia. 12 percent live elsewhere in North Carolina, and 3 percent live in South Carolina.
• 99 percent of respondents are Caucasian. The largest represented income level was $25,000-49,000 (28 percent). The largest represented age group was 50-59 (37 percent).

Clay County, NC Comprehensive Plan