As a Planning Board Member I am encouraged by the progress that Brevard and Transylvania County is Making!

Transylvania County Economy - Snapshot

There were no new commercial building permits issued during July. There were seven commercial additions/alterations permits issued in July with a value of $291,121. There were 13 new residential building permits issued in July with a value of $3,872,900. The occupancy tax collected for June totaled $40,658. The June unemployment rate was 8.6%.

Business Development

•¨ The Economic Development Advisory Board is currently working with staff to develop a new draft 2009-2012 Economic Development Strategic Plan that incorporates results from the recent business and community survey. Staff is working to have a rough draft ready for the EDAB to review at their August meeting.

•¨ Planning staff and the Planning Board continue to work on the zoning ordinance for the Pisgah Forest corridor. We held one special meeting in July as well as the regular Planning Board meeting to review the ordinance. The Planning Board members will continue to review the draft at a special meeting August 12th and their regular meeting August 20th. The Board will meet with the residents of Pisgah Forest to seek additional input in September. The draft zoning ordinance is available at http://econdev.transylvaniacounty.org then hit the Pisgah Forest Zoning button.

•¨ Have spoke several times with a business interested in relocating to the County. Have also provided them with demographics and available property in the county.

•¨ We have received six business plans for the Transylvania Partnership's Business Development Competition. The winners will be announced at the Business Appreciation Luncheon in September.

PLANNING HIGHLIGHTS

•¨ The draft Flood Damage Prevention ordinance update sent to the Board of Commissioners was approved by the State. A public hearing was held on July 27 at the Commissioners meeting. They will act on adoption of the draft at a later date.

•¨ Phase 1 of Glenlaurel Preserve subdivision is almost complete with the roads being paved and the water and sewer system complete pending State approval.

•¨ The Planning Board began reviewing and revising the draft Pisgah Forest Corridor Zoning Ordinance at their regular meeting on July 16 and continued at a special meeting on July 30. This process will continue for several months.

From: Mark R. Burrows, Director Planning and Economic Development Transylvania County