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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Information Request - 11/2/1993JESSE HELMS NORTH CAROLINA W 'United �5tatts �5enatc WASHINGTON, DC 20510-3301 October 20, 1993 The Honorable Jonathan Howes Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources 512 North Salisbury Street Raleigh, NC 27604-1114 Dear Mr. Secretary: R EC E IV ED FF1r;E 0c T,7 -1c, I�ITARY NOV 1993 I enclose a copy of a letter that I have received from Mr. Bill Cecile, President, 19 -- il -- QRs"mm - � N regarding a question of whether the town of Boone has regulatory jurisdiction over his quarry operations. I will appreciate your looking into his concerns. Thank you for your assistance. Kindest regards. Sincerely, JESSE HELMS:bag Enclosure t, 0 , -�W� p Mr. Wayne Boyles Senator Jesse Helms Office Room SD 403 Washington, DC 20510 October 5, 1993 Dear Mr. Boyles: George Parker talked with you Thursday September 30 about the trouble my family and -I are continuing to have with the Town of Boone, I am writing this letter to request your help. Having recently talked with you, I know you are aware Of the problems we have had with the State about our mining permit. The matter was really a question of who had jurisdiction over our rock crushing operation, the State or the Town. The Town received a written notice from the State that we would be given our mi'Rtug permits, and it had 30 days to request a hearing; however, the Town did not request one. We'were closed down by the State and Town from November 1992 until August 1993. We finally received necessary permits and were allowed to resume crushing. On September 3, 1993, 1 was served with a letter of violation by the Town, which was blatantly doing everything possible tQ p-rripvlp fi­-P;-E� from crushing rock. We have been crushing rock in Watauga County for twelve years and have never violated any ordinances. Our problene began when Vulcan Materials entered the area; the Town referred to them as the "Big Boys." 2 Since we were closed down for several months, the Town claims that vie abandoned our property, and, therefore, it stated that we could not re -open our business. Also, the Town accused us of filling in the floodway, which the North Caroling Department of Transportation actually did. We have naps proving where the floodway is, and'our prPperty is not a . noompassed by the floodway. These maps were created, by an engineering company, yet when the Town saw their comclueian­ that We - were not in the floodway,--it rejected the maps. After a hearing in court, we were penalized by a $48,100 Judgement, The Town demanded all excess material supposedly in the floodway should be removed; nevertheless, it retracted this demand after acknowledging that the State had dumped the material. Apparently, the Town has a very good relationship with Vulcan Naterials and wants Vulcan to have a monopoly in Boone because the Town is trying to terminate our business permanently. If our business were again closed, Vulcan would receive most of the road work on U.S. 421 Judge Charles Lamm of Boone also wished to se'e us out of business; he openly stated this to our attorney, Joseph Delk of Lenoir. I feel that the Town of Boone has discriminated against my family and myself and continues to do so. Another example of this: MY daughter weighed 52 garbage trucks but received neither an appreciative letter nor compensation; however, when Vulcan Materials stayed -open ten extra minutes to load Town trucks, --it was thanked publicly in the WATAUGA DEMOCRAT. 3 Mr. Boyles, any assistance that you or Senator Helms oould prQvide. ufF, JD the matters discussed above would be greatly appreciated, Cordially GIN EzIrJ b Bill Cecile, President RADFORD QUARRIES OF BOONE, INC. Enclosure bc: mch 4 Jerry Haire, Director - Town of Boone 635B Blowing Rock Road Boone, XC 28607 704-262-4540 Judge Charles C. Lamm, Jr. Ravens Ridge Boone, NC 28607 704-264-4660 Joseph R. Napoleon, Flood Plain Coordinator Town of Boone 635B Blowing Rock'Road Boone, NC 28607 704-262-4540 David R. Paletta, Attorney Town of Boone 433 West King St. Boone, NC 28607 704-264-0365 John Salmons, Development Facilitator Town of Boone P.O. Drawer 192 Boone, NC 28607 704-262-4530 COUNCIL: VELMA C. BURNLEY Mayor SAUL CHASE JAMES DUGGER LOUISE MILLER JAMES SMITH BEN SUTTLE Town of Boone September 2, 1993 William H. Cecile Radford Quarries of Boone, Inc. Bamboo Road Boone, NC 28607 Re: NOTICE OF VIOLATION Dear Mr. Cecile: GREG YOUNG Town Manager DAVID PALETTA Town Afforney This letter is a notice of violation that Radford Quarries of Boone, Inc. is in violation of the sections of the Town of Boone Zoning ordinance set forth below. The location of the violation is your quarry on Bamboo Road in Watauga County, North Carolina. 1. Section 14.3.2. The mining operation at the quarry on Bamboo Road was discontinued for more than 180 days. Consequently, all future use of the land must be devoted to conforming uses. The area on the east side of Bamboo Road is presently zoned IIMHII Mobile Home and does not permit a quarry operation. If this property is to be utilized for a mining operation, it must be rezoned. The area on the west side of Bamboo Road is zoned 'IRA" Residential/Agricultural District. If this property is to be utilized for a mining operation, a special use permit is required. 2. Section 33.1. A zoning permit is required for certification that your use complies with all applicable requirements of the Boone Zoning ordinance. All mining operations must stop 1?y September 7, 1993. Moreover, you cannot resume mining operations until each of the above described violations has been corrected. In order to correct these violations, you must take the following action. (1) The area on the east side of Bamboo Road must be rezoned so as to allow this area to be used for a mining operation. (2) Radford Quarries of Boone, Inc. must obtain a special . use permit for the area on the west side of Bamboo Road. P.O. DRAWER 192 e BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA 28607 e (704) 262-4530 Ninm w 100% fwyclw P&W -William H. Cecile' September 21 199� Page'.2 (3) Radford Quarries of Boone, Inc. must obtain a zoning permit. If Ra . dford Quarries'of-B6one,,�-Inc,.,-co'ntinues'mining operations after September 7,, 1993.in violati6n,of bLriy of the ordinance provisions set forth above, It will be,subject to a'civil penalty of $100.00 .plus.court costs and att6rney's,fees incurred by the Town pursuant to Section,16.5., Furthermore,,each day the'violation continues " shall constitute a'separate,offense and shall result in.additional civil penalties of $100.00 per day. APPEAi- PROCEDURE Y U -ght to Appe; l-' -de o have'the ri a my cision by requesting an administrati-�erev'iew in -this office within ten (10) days after the date ofyour receipt of this letter." You may,also appeal my decision to the ' Boone ' Boara O'f;Adjustment within thirty (30) days after the date of your -receipt of this letter. In order to perfect your.appeal'to,the Board of Adjustment, you must completely fill out an Application for AdministrAtive Review and pay a $75.00 filing fee. I -have enclosed an Application of Administration Review for your convenience. - I hav4 en"closed-copies of the following sections of the Boone Zoning Ordinance for your review: 1. Section 13.1. 2. Section 14.3.2. 3. Article 15. 4. Article 16. S sincere your.11 John Salmons Development Facilitator 13.1 13.2 13.3 ARTICEY 13 PERMrrS AND SITE PLAN APPROVAL Zoning Permit Required Except as otherwise specifically provided in the ordinance, it shall be unlawful to begin any substantial clearing, grading or excavation on lands contemplated for development or to begtn any cohistruction, moving, alteration or.renovation, except for ordinary repairs of any building or other structure until the Town Planner has issued a Zoning Permit for such action, certifying that the development complies with the applicable requirements of this ordinance. It shall also be unlawFul to change the type of use or type of occupancy of any land or structure, or to extend any use on any lot which exists a nonconforming us(--, until the Town Planner fins issued a Zoning Permit for such. action, certifying that the intended use(s) comply with the applicable requirements of this ordinance. Site Plan Review Required Site Plan review and approval by the Town Planner or Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment as appropriate shall be required prior to the issuance of a Zoning Permit for any development or change in use described in Section 13.1 with the following exceptions: a. Any development that, in the opinion of the Town Planner, does not affect existing circulation, drainage, relationship of bitildings to each otber, landscaping, buffering or lighting, provided such existing site elements comply with the applicable provisions of this chapter; 1). Any change in use to another Use in the same use group, provided such change (foes not involve development other than that exempted above. These exceptions, however, do not exempt the developer from supplying necessary documentation that the requirements of this ordinance are met prior to the issuance of a Zoning Permit. '.Site Plan Review ky Appearance Commission Site plan review and approval by the Appearance Conunission shall -be required prior to the issuance of a Zoning Permit for any matter referred to the Appearance Commission. 13-1 a. The property cannot reasonably be developed for the use proposed without such deviations, however mere fina ' ncial h ' ardship does not constitute grounds for finding that compliance is not reasonably possible; b. these deviations are necessitated by the size or shape nf the nonconforming lot; and c. the property can be developed as pro?osed without any significantly adverse impact on surrounding properties or the public health or safety. 14.3 Nonconforming Uses 14.3.1 Definition A nonconforming use i�; a use of land. buildings, or structures that was lawfully established prior to the effective date of this chapter or a subsequent amendment thereto, but does not conform to the Use Regulations of Article 4 for the zoning district in which it is located. 14.3.2 Regulations Nonconforming uses may be continued subject to the following limitations: a. No nonconforming use shall be extended, expanded, ealarged, or moved to occupy a different or greater area of land, buildings, or structures than was occupied by such use at the time it became nonconforming, provided that a nonconforming use may be extended throughout any parts of a building which were specifically designed and arranged for such use at the time it became nonconforming. b. No buildin-.-Y or structure devoted to a nonconforming use shall be enlarged, extended, reconstructed, -moved, or structurally altered unless such building or StCLICture is thereafter devoted to a conforming use. c. When a building or structure devoted to a nonconformitkg use is damaged to the extent of fifty percent (50%) or more of its -, _-__ current market value, such bLlilding, if restored, shall thereafter be devoted to conforming uses. d. If -a nonconforming use ceases for more than one hundrel and eighty (180) days in any twelve month period, subsequent use of the la - nd, or structures preriously devoted to such use shall thereafter be devoted to conforming uses. 14-2 15.1 ARTICLE 15 INTERPRETATi-oNs, APPEALS AND VARIANCES Interpretations Where there is any uncertainty as to the intent or actual meaning of this chapter, or as to the intended location of any zoning district boundary shown on the Zoning Map, the Town Planner shall make an interpretation of said provision or boundary on request of any person. Any person aggrieved by such interpretation may appeal the interpretation to the Board of Adjustment in accord with the provisions of Section 15.2 In making an interpretation of any zoning district boundary, or in deciding * any appeal thereof, the Town Planner or Board of Adjustment shall apply the fo-Ilowing standards: a. boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of streets, highways, or alleys shall be construed as following such centerlines; b. boundaries indicated as approximately following lot lines shall be construed as following such lot lines; c. boundaries indicated as approximately following corporate limits shall be construed as following such limits; d. boundaries indicated as approximately following the shorolines or centerlines of streams, rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water shall ' be construed as following such shorelines or centerlines; in the event of change in the shoreline or centerline, the boundary shall be construed as moving with the actual shoreline or centerline. e. boundaries indicated as approximately following designated limits of areas of special flood hazard shall be construed as following such limits; f. boundaries indicated as approximately parallel to, or as extensions of, features described in a. through e. above shall be so construed; distances not specifically indicated on the Zoning Map shall be determined by reference to the scale of the map; g. where features described in 'a' through 'f' above, as existing on the ground, are at variance with those indicated on the Zoning Map, or in other circumstances not covered by 'a' through 'g' above, the Board of Adjustment shall interpret the district boundaries. 15-1 g. that the Variance will riot result in a violation of the provisions of Article 14 by allowing the enlargement, expansion, extension, or the greater permanence of intensity of a nonconforming use or feature. 15.4 Procedures for.Appeals and Variances 15.4.1 Application Submittal Requirements Applications for appeal or for a Variance shall be filed with the Town Planner. I The Town Planner shall prescribe the form(s) on'which applications are made, a.s well as -Jany other material which may'reasonably be required to make the determinations called for in the particular case, with sufficient copies for necessary referrals and records. No application shall be accepted by the Town Planner unless it complies with such requirements. Applications-whichlare not complete shall be returned forthwith to the applicant, with a notation of the deficiencies in the application. On receipt of a complete application, the Town Planner shall transmit the application to the Board of Adjustment.. In the case of the applications for appeal, the Town Planner shall also transmit to the Board all documents constituting the record on which the decision being appealed was based. All. appeals to the Board of Adjustment shall be denova. 15.4.2 Public Hearing Upon receipt of an application for appeal or for a Variance, the Board of Adjustment shall hold a public hearing on the application at its next available reeularlv scheduled meetine. Notice of the date, time, and place of the public hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the planriLng jurisdiction, with the notice to be published riot less than ten (10) nor more than twenty—five (25) days prior to the date of the hearing. The public hearing shall be open to the public and all interested persons shall be given the opport.unity to present evidence -and arguments and to ask questions of persons who testify. The Board may place reasonable and equitable time limitations on the presentation of evidence and arguments and the cross examination of witnesses so that the application may be heard without undue delay. A-1.1'persons who intend to present evidence at the public hearing shall be sworn. In the case of*applications for a Variance, the applicant shall bear the burden of presenting evidence sufficient to establish conclusively that the requested Variance will comply with each of the determinations required in Section 15.3. 15-3 15.2 Appeals 15.2.1 Any decision of the Town Planner made in the administration of the provisions of this ordinance may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment by the person aggrieved by such decision. Any decision of the Planning Commission in granting or denying Special. Use Permits may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment. An application for appeal shall be filed within thirty (30) days of the filing of the decision being appealed or the delivery or any required written notice of the decision, whichever is later. 15.2.2 Stay of Further Action An appeal to the Board of 'Adjustment stays all actions seeking enforcement of, or compliance with, the decision being appealed, except where the Towfi Planner certifies to the Board of Adjustment that, based on findings stated in the certificate, a stay would cause imminent peril to life or property, or that because the situation appealed from is transitory in nature, an appeal would seriously interfere with enforcement of this ordinance. 15.3 Variance A Variance from the regulations of this ordinance may be granted by the Board of Adjustment if it finds that strict enforcement of the regulations would result in practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships to the applicant for the Variance, and that, by granting the Variance, the intent of this ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan will be observed, public safety and welfare secured, and substantial justice done. Such findings shall be based on the following determinations: a. that strict compliance with the regulations allows no reasonable use of the applicant's property; b. that the hardship complained of is one suffered by the applicant rather than by neighbors or the general public; c. that the hardship relates to the applicant's property rather than to personal circumstances; d. that the hardship is peculiar to the applicant's property, rather than a hardship shared by the neighborhood or resulting from tile existence of nonconforming situations in the vicinity; e. that the hardship is not the result of the applicant's own actions; f. that the Variance will not substantially interfere with or injure the rights of others whose property would be affected by granting of the Variance; and 15-2 A record of the proceedings of the hearing shall be made and shall include all documentary evidence presented at the hearing. 15.4.3 Action on the Application After completion of the public hearing, the Board of Adjustment shall take action on the application. In the case of applications for appeal, such action shall be to reverse, or affirm (wholly or partly), or modify the decision being appealed. In the case of applications for a Variance, such action shall be based on findings as to each of the determinations required in Section 15.3, and shall be approval, or approval subject to conditions, or denial. The Board may impose reasonable conditions on the granting of any Variance to ensure that the public health, -safety, and general welfare shall be protected and substantial justice (tone. In its consideration of applications for a Variance, the Board shall not use the existence of honconformities in the vicinity as justification for the granting of Variances. The concurring vote of four-fifths (4/5) of the membership shall be necessary to reverse any order, requirement, decision or determination of thd Building Inspector or any agent chai�ged with the enforcement of this ordinance. The concurring vote of four-fifths (4/5) of the membership of the Board shall be necessary to decide in favor of the applicant on any matter upon which it is required to pass under this ordinance or to effect any variation of this ordinance. In every case, the record of the action of the Board shall include a summary of its findings and th-- evidence supporting.them. 15.4.4 Actions Subsequent to Decision The Town Planner shall cause notice of the disposition of the appi.ication to be delivered to the applicant by personal service or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall cause a copy of the decision to be filed in the office of the Planning Department. If a Variance is granted, the nature of the Variance anti any conditions attached thereto shall be entered -on the face of -any- - necessary Zoning Permit. 15.4.5 Appeal -of Decision A decision by the Board of Adjustment on an application for appeal or for a Variance may be appealed to the Superior Court by an aggrieved -party. Such appeal shall be in the nature of certiorari anti must: be filed within thirty (30) days of the filing of the decision in the office of the Planning Department or tile delivery of the notice required in Subsection 15.4.4, whichever is later. 15-4 ARTICLE 16 ENrORCE14EKT 16.1 Violation Whenever by the provisions 01 this ordinance, the performance of any act is required, or the performance of any act is prohibited, or whenever any regulations or limitation is imposed on the use of any land, or on the erection, alteration, or the use or change of use of a structure a failure to comply with such provisions shall constitute a violation of this zoning ordinance. 16.2 Complaints Regarding Violations Whenever the Town Planner receives a written,,,signed complaint alleging a violation of this ordinance, he shall investigate the complaint, take whatever action is warranted, and inform tile complainant in writing what actions have been or will be taken. 16.3 Liability The owner, tenant, or occupant of any land or structure, or part thereof and any architect, engineer, builder, contractor, agent or other person who participates in, assists, directs, creates or maintains any situation that is contrary to the requirements of this ordinance may be held responsible for the violation and be subject to the.penalties anti remedies provided herein. 16.4 Procedures Upon Discovery.of Violations Upon determination that any provision of this chapter is being violated, the Town Planner shall deliver a written notice by personal service or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person(s) responsible for such violation and ordering the action necessary to correct it. Additional written notices may be sent at the Town Planner's discretion. Withi ' n ten (10) days after tile receipt of notice of violation by the Town Planner, the violating party may request that the Town Planner conduct an administrative hearing, at which time the violating party shall be entitled to present evidence that the alleged violation is not in fact a violation but rather that the party is in compliance with this ordinance. The Town Planner shall make findings of fact and reach conclusions of law as to the alleged violation. Any decision adverse to the requesting party shall result in enforcement of the -provisions of this—Ordinance through the remedies set forth herein. This hearing provision shall be available only in the event that no other body or administrative official has been designated to hear that the grievance of a party alleged-ly being in violation of this ordinance. The final written notice,.which may also be the initial notice, shall state the action the Town Planner intends to take if the violation is not corrected, and shall advise that the Town Planner's order may be appealed to the Boone Board of Adjustment as provided in Article 15. 16-1 16.5 . 16.6 FA Notwithstanding the foregoing, in cases when delay would seriously threaten the effective enforcement of this ordinance or pose a danger to the public health, safety or welfare, the Town Planner may seek enforcement without prior written notice by invoking any of the penalties authorized in Section 16.5. Penalties and Remedies Violations of the provisions of this with any of its requirements, shall punishable as provided in the North 14-4. ordinance or failure to comply constitute a misdemeanor, Carolina General Statutes, Section Any act,constitut-ing a violation of this ordinance shall also subject the offender to a civil penalty of one-hUndred dollars ($100.00) (plus court costs and attoKney fees incurred by the Town). If the offender fails to pay the penalty within ten (10) days of receiving final written notice of a violation, the penalty may be recovered by the Town in a civil action in the 'nature of a debt. A civil penalty may not be appealed to the Board of Adjustment if the offender received a final written notice of violation and did not appeal to the Board of Adjustment within the time limit prescribed in Article 15. This ordinance may also be enforced by any appropriate, equitable action or proceedings instituted by the Town Planner which would prevent, restrain, correct or abate a violation of this ordinance. Each day that any violation continues after receipt of the final written notice of such violation shall constitute a separate violation and a separate offense for the purpose of the penalties and remedies specified herein. Enforcement Concerning Violations in Floodway Overlay Zones Whenever land -disturbing activity is undertaken in violation of Article 8, Flood Overlay Zones, the Town of Boone, may order the work that is in violation to be immediately stopped. The stop order shall be in writing and directed to the person responsible for the violation(s). The order shall state the work to be stopped, the reasons for stoppage, and the conditions under which the work may be resumed. Pending the ruling on the appeal, no further work may take place in violation of a stop work order. Appeals from a stop -order - shall be made as follows: 1. A written demand for a hearing must be delivered to the Town within ten (10) days after receipt of a stop order notice. 2. Hearings held pursuant to this section shall be conducted by the Town of Boone Planning Commission at the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. Recommendations shall be made to the Boone Board of Adjustment (luring that meeting. 16 -2 3. The Board of Adjustment shall render its final decision on any appeal no later than the second regularly scheduled Board meeting following the receipt of the Olanning Commissions recommendations. 4. The decision of the Board of Adjustment may be appealed*to the Superior Court of Watauga County by the aggrieved party. Such appeal shall be in the nature of certiorari and must be filed within thirty (30) days of the delivery of the written notice of the Board of Adjustments decision to the aggrieved party. 16-3 NORTH CAROLINA -WATAUGA COUNTY AFFIDAVIT The undersigned,.after being duly sworn, deposes and says: -1 That I am -a former employee of the Town of Bpone, North Ca.*rbl , ina, having been employed in the street depa-rtment until 1984, W 2 During my term of employment with the Town of Boone, T was , in.vlWed with and had direct knowledge of the ' filling of the lo.w lvina .area ac,.,ross from the site on Bambon Poad whereithe stone crusher has exi,sted since the mid -197 -O's. The Town of Rnnnr- dunlppd�' h0dreds of loads of debris and fill material in the low area behind the now exist1,ng shop' bdildin�'-of K & C Crushed Stone. The maioritv of all thp fill -�ow located on j�e * 'site was dumped 'thpre,hv. the Town'o-F Boone and t�e, North Carolina Deontment of Transportation. 3. To my knowle0g�., at the time the Town of B6one was dumpinq on t� t, particular site'. t7h.a' area filled was neither in the Town of Bo*one nor.;�Jn any extra-territ&-rTal zoning o� the town, but was t�tally outside of --'.the jusridiction.of-i-he Town of Boone. ...--This t�e-l�th 8a� of� February, 1993, (SEAL-) Larry Wi:,hkler 'Al Subscri�-bed ah'd sworp,be�.b�e me t,Hs thp �6th day of Februar�, 1993-. o t a �r-u My Commission expires: 0 4FF NORTH CAROLINA WATAUGA COUNTY AFFTDAVTT The undersigned, after being duly sworn, deposes and says: 1. That T am an employee of the North Carol'ina Depav'� - iment,of Transportation, located in the Watauga County, Nopth Carolina Office. T havo been employed.by the North Carolina Oep-artment of Transportation s 1 n.6e . 1.9 65 2.' During my employment with the North Carolina Departr�ent of Transpoy,tation, I was involVed with and had direct �no.wl'edgp of the filling':`�::10f the low lying area across from the site on RambOo Boad where the sto'r�e crusher has exi-sted since the mid -1970's. Tr�e Town of Boone and the Department Of Transportation dumped hundreds of loads of debris and f07 -material in the low -area behind thp now existing shop building of K & 9,,Crushed Stone. The majority of all the� fill now Ibcated nr thr site wa.5,dumped there by the Town of Roone and the �Jorth'Carolirp. Departm66t of Transportation. To my knowledge at the time'the Town of Roone and the DepartmOnt of Transporta' are tion was dumping on that -particular site, the a fil�ed was neither in the Town of BoonF, nnr in'anv extra -territorial zoning of the town, but was fr'taliv 'n'urOdp nf th- jusriaic�,ion of the Town* of Boone. This tJ-,e 16th day of February, 1993, "I'�q p a r v ey OPS Subscribed and sworn bef 6 me is�-the 16zh da of Feb)"u'ary, 199, y otar u ic My C�Ommlssion:-expires: 8-7-9.5 v