Board of Adjustment Meeting | July 9, 2025

Buckham County Board of Adjustment Meeting Recap – July 9, 2025

The Buckham County Board of Adjustment convened on July 9, 2025, with a full agenda focused primarily on zoning and special use permit requests. The meeting was attended by all board members, along with county staff, applicants, and interested residents. This recap summarizes the key outcomes of the meeting and outlines what residents can expect moving forward.

The first order of business was the annual election of board leadership, resulting in Andy Ball being elected as Chair and Catherine Morissani as Vice-Chair. Following standard procedural items, the Board approved the minutes from their previous meeting in June, incorporating revisions to earlier records. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to addressing potential conflicts of interest and ensuring impartial decision-making, particularly regarding quasi-judicial hearings. Board members were reminded to avoid “ex parte” communications – conversations with involved parties outside of official proceedings – and emphasized that all decisions must be based solely on evidence presented during the hearing. Several members disclosed having received communications related to the Stern Stormwater Variance case, reinforcing the importance of adhering to these guidelines.

The bulk of the meeting was devoted to public hearings regarding several zoning requests. The Board unanimously approved a revision to the Laurelwood Village Phase 2 Special Use Permit, allowing Sanhauer Properties LLC to add four townhome units. This approval comes with conditions requiring a major subdivision plat submission and connection to a private road, ensuring proper planning and infrastructure. The Board also approved a Special Use Permit for Asheville River Cabins, enabling the property to host weddings and events. This decision was made with conditions related to fire safety, requiring special event permits for large gatherings and coordination with the Municipal Services District (MSD) regarding on-site food preparation.

The most complex case, the Stern Stormwater Variance, was continued from a previous meeting. Applicant Betsy and Allen Stern are seeking permission for a driveway encroachment on a stream vegetative setback. The Board heard testimony from expert witness Paul David Mount, who presented alternative driveway locations that he deemed superior to the applicant’s current proposal. While acknowledging these alternatives, the Board did not reach a final decision and continued the hearing, requesting that the applicant work with an engineer to explore these options further.

Looking ahead, county staff will be implementing a new system for tracking board member attendance and will share details via email later this week. The applicant for the Stern Stormwater Variance is actively working with an engineer to explore alternative driveway options and will provide updated information. Residents interested in learning more about these decisions or any other Board of Adjustment matters are encouraged to review the full meeting transcript, available from Buckham County. The Board’s emphasis on impartial decision-making and the importance of considering all evidence underscores their commitment to fair and transparent governance within Buckham County.