Jackson’s new industrial ordinance limits fracking, emphasizes traffic considerations

After sixteen months of meetings, a change of planning director and a nearly complete turnover of membership on the Jackson County Planning Board, an updated industrial development ordinance is now in place for the county.

Food truck ordinance passed in Cashiers

cashiersCashiers recently completed its own effort to address food trucks with an ordinance approved by the Jackson County Commissioners last month. 

Sylva to revisit food truck rules

fr foodtruckssylvaAfter seeing the showdown over food truck rules playing out in Waynesville, Sylva is gearing up to take a look at its own code of ordinances, hoping to forestall any such drama in its neck of the woods. 

Quixotic opposition to gun ordinance fails, sort of?

fr gunhaywoodFor 21 years, firearms have not been permitted on any county-owned property, except for law enforcement officers on duty. Almost nine years ago, that policy was whittled down, allowing exceptions for gun shows. 

Waynesville rolls out compromise in ongoing food truck debate

fr foodtrucksNew rules for where and how food trucks can set up shop in Waynesville attempt to balance the popular and growing food truck movement with the signature small-town character and established economy already here.

Emergency management changes move forward

haywoodHaywood County is continuing with efforts to update and improve its emergency management ordinance — a local regulation that came under fire last year by a group of residents who thought the language violated their constitutional rights.

Public hearing set for emergency management changes

haywoodIt’s been a year since the Haywood County commissioners agreed to make changes to the county’s emergency management ordinance to tone down some overbearing language that didn’t sit well with an adamant group of civil liberty watchdogs.

Fracking protections a key consideration in ordinance revision

fr frackingWhen the state opened the doors for hydraulic fracturing — called “fracking” — in 2014, a flood of public opinion from the mountains told Raleigh that drilling would not be welcome in the western part of the state.

Tobacco-free ordinance on hold in Swain

swainSwain County Commissioners postponed a vote on whether to make the county recreation center a tobacco-free area after hearing feedback from a few residents.

Swain animal control ordinance takes shape

fr animalcontrolAfter conducting research and gathering public input for several months, an ad hoc committee finally has a working draft for what might be Swain County’s first animal control ordinance. 

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