To the Editor:

On 30 July, the Waynesville Planning Board met once again concerning the proposed apartment complex on Plott Creek Road. Again, we see where the majority of the board members ignored the wishes of the local population in what appears as a desperate attempt to side with the developers. I was one of those who attended that marathon meeting, although I did not stay to the very end.  

During my stay, there were issues brought up by both sides but none more contentious than the building heights and the number of stories allowed. As presented, the ordinances in place today allowed for three-story structures but the developer proposed four-story buildings. They seemed to get around the three-story limitation by defining the lowest story as a basement and presumed exempt.

I certainly was not there when the ordinances were written but I am comfortable in assuming that the ‘intent’ of the restriction was to limit building height to three stories — period — for aesthetic reasons. For lawyers and engineers to get away with playing word games and call any story by another name to circumvent the restriction sets a dangerous precedent and flies in the face of the local residents concerned about the scope of the project. 

Also given the contentious nature of this proposal, the local residents would have tolerated a proposal that was strictly held to the intent of the ordinances. But again, that didn’t happen Monday night. The majority of the board chose to waive the restrictions so, again, the residents’ pleas go unheard. I highly recommend this decision be appealed and the original height limitation be enforced before it’s too late!!

Steven Winchester

Plott Creek Road

Waynesville