Saluda Property & Real Estate
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An Era Reborn
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Saluda Inn Re-Opens
Saluda's historical landmark, the Saluda Inn has long-
awaited new proprietor's Joni and Richard
Rauschenbach to complete massive renovations and
restorations.
With most of the work being completed this fall, the
Inn hosted Saluda's annual Christmas Home
Tour sponsored by the Saluda Senior Center. This
was the first time Saluda residents had an
opportunity to tour the Inn and walk the halls.
About The Inn
The original part of the home was built by the first
practicing doctor in Saluda. Dr. E.B. Goelet came to
Saluda just after the railroad in 1881. This gentleman
also owned the Saluda’s only pharmacy. Mrs. Louis
LeLand of South Carolina acquired the home in 1914
and expanded the original Queen Anne style home to
become a boarding house. Mr. Leland owned
Saluda’s first telephone company. The Charlton
LeLand, as the inn was known back then, was one of
the largest inns established in Saluda and operated
longer than any of its contemporaries. After the
Leland family sold it, widow Susan Leland Craig ran it
as a boarding house. She maintained a garden and
sold produce for extra money. She also used the
property for editing and printing the Saluda
Magazine, which was the first established newspaper
of the town.
Throughout the years of operation as a boarding
house, it opened its doors to the physicians and
patients of the acclaimed Children’s Sanatorium. The
Children’s Sanatorium was instrumental in bringing
many ill children into the Saluda area to the mountain
climate for specialized medical care that was not
readily available in the big cities. During the
depression most of Saluda’s 40 inns and hotels
burned down. The Inn was able to maintain a steady
clientele of “family” guests until the mid century.
After that, the operation was sporadic and in 1984 it
was sold to a group of investors and was primarily
run as a rental property. At the time the
Rauschenbach’s purchased the Saluda Inn in 2004 it
was in a total state of disrepair. Over the next two
years with the expert help from local builder Darryl
Russell, electrician Brent Keubler and plumber Dave
Thomas the building was raised and leveled, the
interior was essentially dismantled and put back
together and all plumbing and electrical systems were
updated. Throughout the renovation careful
consideration was given to maintaining its historical
integrity and it was recently designated as a National
Historic Property.
The Rauschenbach’s continue to run it as a retreat
for family reunions, religious groups etc. and are
considering expanding to nightly room rentals in the
future. Some groups have been coming for 20 plus
years, and have made the Saluda Inn their
vacation home for the week or weekend every
year. The Rauschenbach’s are happy to own a
building that brings people close together in a time
when so many families hardly know each other
anymore. Saluda is a wonderful setting for the inn
and a great place to raise a family.
About The Inn Keepers
After receiving his EdM from Harvard, Rich
Rauschenbach lived in NY and taught German and
mathematics and coached swimming. He now works
as an IT consultant in the medical industry. He also
recently graduated as Chief of his rookie class in
Asheville and has accepted a position with the
Asheville Fire Department. When he is not working,
either on the Inn or as a consultant, he is
volunteering at our fire department or out training for
triathlons. He will be competing in an Ironman this
August in Louisville, KY.
Joni (Mahaffey) Rauschenbach is a SC native, and a
USC graduate. After working in the wine and
restaurant industry for many years, she headed out
west to pursue her culinary interest at Johnson and
Wales University in Vail, Colorado. She met Rich
there while he was on a ski trip and moved to NY.
She continues to work in the wine industry as a
consultant and sales representative and travels
throughout the east coast.
Wylie Everest Rauschenbach was born in NY, but
considers himself a NC native. At age 4, his personal
ambition is to “never grow up.” He is a big fan of fire
engines and matchbox cars.
For more information, you can contact Joni at 828-
749-9698 or visit their web site at
www.saludainn.com
About the Inn and Inn Keepers submitted by the
Rauschenbach's.
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Saluda Inn Holds Media Event
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The Saluda Inn hosted a "media event" in January
and invited media outlets from all over NC and SC.
Attending the event were representatives from
Mountain Express, Florence News Journal, Creative
Loafing, and Saluda Lifestyles.
Saluda residents also attended and were quickly
steered into the kitchen to prepare a meal of pizzas,
salads, and desserts. A few guests who don't spend
time in the kitchen were instructed by Joni and made
very creative pizzas.
Preparing a meal in the gourmet kitchen of the
Saluda Inn can definitely be a family affair!
Above picture is Joni Rauschenbach preparing to
serve wine to her guests.
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Happenings and Events
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Now into the 26th year of Orchard Inn
history, we wish you well and offer the following
special getaways for 2007.
Valentine Escape (February 9 & 10 or 16 & 17) Relax
and unwind with your valentine in our quiet, romantic
setting. Your weekend promises to be rejuvenating.
Complimentary champagne, breakfasts and an
upstairs room for two nights, $290
Wine Weekend (March 9 & 10 or September 7 & 8)
Tour some of the world's best vineyards, right in our
living room. Two days of outstanding food and wine
await. Wine, dinner for two both evenings,
breakfasts and an upstairs room for two nights, $475
Shakespeare Weekend (March 16 & 17) Sit by the
fireplace with distinguished Sewanee Professor, Dr.
Pamela Macfie, as she brings Shakespeare to life with
her award-winning teaching style. Program, dinner for
two both evenings, breakfasts and an upstairs room
for two nights, $400
Container Gardening Workshop (April 14) Plant
yourself on our sunny deck as Master Gardener
Rebekah Cline leads a day of helpful instruction.
Please call for details.
Also remember to make your reservation at The
Orchard Inn for the Saluda Art and Music Festival
(May 19), the Fourth of July, and Coon Dog Day
Parade (July 7), our December Dickens Dinners, and
our New Year's Eve Gala.
Come see us! Kathy and Bob Thompson, Charley and
Robert Thompson
On Saturday, February 10th, a "Candlelight Dance"
will be held at The Saluda Mountain Jamboree
to get Valentine's Day celebrations off to a
good start. The music and entertainment will be
presented by Chris Coloson and Mr. C's Mobil Music.
This will be a special night for couples and singles to
enjoy the golden glow of a romantic, classy country
atmosphere. The music will be performed for dancing
and listening 8 - 11 pm and the admission is $8.00
per person. Visit www.saludamountainjamboree.com
for more information.
Curtis Wright Oufitters will be offering a 5-
week Beginner Fly Tying class on Saturdays from
February 17 thru March 17. Learn to tie five
different patterns, including the Wooly Bugger and
Royal Wulff.
Curtis Wright provides all fly tying tools and
customers pay for all materials at a 20% discount.
The cost of the course is $75/per person with a
minumum of 3 and a maximum of 6 people.
Curtis Wright Outfitters is also offering a 1/2 day fly
fishing class on Saturdays in February (3rd, 10th,
17th, & 24th) from 1pm - 4pm for $75 per person
with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 people per
class. This class will provide an overview of fly
fishing equipment, trout species, habitat, entomology
("bugs"), reading water, knot tying, and casting.
Contact Curtis Wright Outfitters at 828-749-3444 to
sign up.
Frank and Amy Beeson are organizing a
benefit concert and auction scheduled for
Saturday, April 21, 2007.
The concert features "The Shane Pruitt Band" at The
Tryon Movie Theatre, Trade Street, Tryon NC at
8:00pm.
Auction is at 7:00pm and preview at 6. Auctioneer is
Terry Cacciopo of Tryon Auction. Contact Frank
Beeson at 749-3210 to arrange for auction item
deliveries and pick up.
Proceeds will go toward the $12,000 medical bills of
Jeb Bolton. Jeb owns Jeb's Pet Grooming in Tryon and
has undergone cancer treatment and has no health
insurance. She is a regular shopper in Saluda and
financial supporter of music concerts in the area.
Tickets are now available for $20.00 each. call 828-
749-3210 for reservation and other information.
Morgan Auction & Realty provides real and
personal property sales and business liquidation. The
firm auctions antiques and collectibles two and three
times a month. Next scheduled auctions are
February 3 and 17 at 7pm. The Auction House
is located conveniently off Ozone behind the Apple
Mill.
Artist, Jim Carson has scheduled his spring
plein air workshop in Saluda from Thurs., May 31
through Sat.,June 2. Also included is a "get
acquainted" party at Jim's home on Wed.night,May
30.
The workshop is entitled "Painting Fast And Loose"
and will feature wonderful outdoor painting
sights, concentrating on simplifying shapes and
applying paint quickly and confidently. There will be
an emphasis on color harmony,painterly marks and
composition.The cost of the workshop is $300. To
learn more click on the link provided and visit Jim's
web site or call 828 749-3702.
The popular Green River Boys perform at the
City Club Grill Restaurant February 9 and
23 at 6:00pm. You can contact the City Club Grill at
749-1800.
The Purple Onion Sunday Evening Concert
Series is February 4 at 7:00pm. Reservations are
required. 828-749-1179. Check their schedule on
the Quick Links provided to see their Thursday and
Saturday night entertainment line up.
Saluda School's first and second grade
classes are planning to parade downtown on
Thursday, February 22 as a culminating activity for
their Chinese New Year study. They are making
paper dragons and learning a Chinese ribbon dance.
The school's annual Read-A-Thon will be held March
19-30.
Annual meeting of Democratic Precinct 4, in
Saluda
Every Polk County Democratic precinct is scheduled
to meet in February. Saluda's Democrats in Precinct
4, will hold their meeting on Tuesday, February 20,
2007, at 7 p.m. at the Saluda Library. All registered
Democrats are encouraged to be present to elect
new precinct officers and to discuss upcoming
events important for all Saluda voters.
At the same time and place, in another meeting
room, Democrats from Henderson County's Raven
Rock Precinct, Saluda, will also hold their annual
precinct meeting.
Priscilla Eichelberger, chair, Precinct 4
Democrats
Meetings to Remember
Town Council meets first Monday of the month at
5:30 in the meeting room above the Saluda Library.
Saluda Business Association meets first Tuesday of
the month at 5:30 in the meeting room above the
Saluda Library.
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Volunteers Needed
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Residents at Autumn Care Nursing Home in Saluda
would love your company to visit and talk, polish
their nails, play a game of checkers, read to them,
walk outside, pet your cat or dog, and just give them
a friendly smile. To learn how you can volunteer,
please contact Joyce Coggins, Grace Thompson, or
Dawn Pearson at 749-2261.
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Lion's Club-A New Beginning
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The Lions Club in Saluda is starting up again with a
new look and feel. A Lion’s club is a group of
community-minded people who care about the
neighborhood where they live or work. Regional
Director, Bob Roland is asking Saluda residents to
attend a meeting planned in February to discuss and
determine the type of services and projects that the
Saluda Lions Club could provide to the community.
This is a chance to work with other like-minded
leaders in Saluda and make a difference in the lives
of others. Please contact Tangie Morgan Ciarvolo at
749-1514 for meeting information.
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Saluda Art and Music Festival - May 19, 2007
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Call for Participation
The Saluda Business Association is pleased to
announce its fourth annual Arts and Music Festival
scheduled for May 19, 2007 on historic downtown
Main Street in Saluda.
The 2007 Arts Festival will feature more than 50
talented artists and craftspeople from Western North
Carolina and the Upstate of South Carolina. The
event will run from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday,
May 19.
A music venue has been added this year and festival
organizers plan on providing musical entertainment
throughout the day on Main Street. At closing, the
festival will wrap up with a musical performance from
a concert band to be announced.
Cultivating and promoting its heritage in the arts, the
town of Saluda invites artists and craftspeople to
participate in this premier event celebrating the
talent of local artists. The exhibit areas will be
reserved on a first come, first served basis.
Art work will be judged and monetary awards will be
given in several categories.
To enter the festival or for more information, please
contact Cathy Jackson at 828-817-2876, Beverly
Pickard at 828-749-3920 , Shelly Dekay 828-749-
9365, or email to info@saluda.com. You may also
click here to download an application.
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Saluda Scoop
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The latest news and the unusual offerings provided by Saluda shops, restaurants, artists, and craftspeople
Saluda Music
Amy and Frank Beeson wish to assure everyone that
they will be continuing the concert series "under the
stars" at the caboose. They will kick off their fourth
season on Saturday, May 5, and run through
Saturday September 30.
These concerts are financially supported by the
listening audience, and by private donations.
Stay tuned for a complete schedule of concerts.
If you would like to be involved on a volunteer basis,
have questions, or would like to sponsor a program,
please call 828-749-3210.
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Yes, Brothers & Sisters, You Got to Believe!
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by author, Joe Adams
When I was five years old, I used to go to church
with the widow next door. We didn't have a car and,
truthfully, I went to church with her because she
had a beautiful Ford convertible...a little coupe with
a rumbleseat. And when the weather was good, she
would put the top down and also open up the
rumbleseat so I could ride back there.
Actually I liked going to Sunday School. I was an
only child and always looked forward to any
gathering of children. I was a lot more interesting in
talking than listening, so this sometimes presented a
problem.
I won my first Bible in my Sunday School class. I
was able to memorize John 3:16.
It was a verse that we had studied in class. When I
say "we" I use the term loosely. I spent most of my
time talking to other kids while the teacher read the
Bible and told us what it meant. When she finished,
she turned to me and said, "Joe, why don't you tell
us what you need to do in order to go to Heaven."
I was stumped. I had not been paying attention.
But since she kept waiting for an answer, I tried to
come up with one. Finally I said, as confidently as I
could, "If you want to go to Heaven, you've got to
love God."
I was taken aback by her violent outburst. She
pounded her fist on the table and yelled, "No! No!
You do NOT have to love God. That's not what John
3:l6 says. You don't have to love him. You have to
BELIEVE. "For God so loved the world that he gave
his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
YOU'VE GOT TO BELIEVE."
I sat there quietly with my head hanging down.
Then I lifted it toward her and said, "I don't think it
would hurt to love God, too."
She frightened me in to learning John 3:16 by
heart...and winning my Bible. But, truthfully, I don't
think everyone is cut out to be a Sunday School
teacher.
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Property of the Month
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Greenville Street Home Close to Town
Walk through the door of this Cape Cod style home
and enter a wonderful respite from your hustle-bustle
world. You will find comfort and warmth on all three
levels. The main level offers a living room centered
around the fireplace, a dining area which opens to
the screen porch, the kitchen, a cozy library where
you can retreat with your favorite book, and the
guest bedroom and bath. The lower level is the
perfect gathering place for family and friends to mix
and mingle. And the top level offers privacy for the
master suite. This home is situated on a small
garden size lot within a very short distance of
Saluda’s Main Street.
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A Time for Thanks
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Saluda Senior Center Thanks Volunteers
The Saluda Senior Center and The Thrifty Barn wish
to express thanks to all who have assisted in such a
successful and productive year for the Center.
Special thanks go to ALL volunteers, at both the
Saluda Senior Center and/or The Thrifty Barn,
whether via donations of personal time or goods to
be sold in The Thrifty Barn. The 2006-year's success
is due largely to the many volunteer hours offered by
the citizens of the Saluda area.
The continued success of both the Center and The
Thrifty Barn depends on the continued generosity of
volunteers. In particular, volunteers are needed in
the Basement Sales area, which is open the first and
third Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. until
3:00p.m. Please call The Thrifty Barn at 749-3320 or
Joyce Wetherell at 443-528-6681 to offer your
volunteer time.
Peggie Morrison,
Publicity Chairman,
Saluda Senior Center
Saluda Library Quilt Raffle Saluda
summer folk, Toni Garcia quilted "The Saluda Grade"
as a fundraiser for the Saluda Library. Winner, Joy
Sharp who is the Polk County Library Children's
Services Coordinator has donated the hanging back
to the library to use in its annual Art Auction.
The quilt raffle raised $622 for the library. Thanks to
all who purchased a raffle ticket and to Joy for
contributing it to the Art Auction.
The City of Saluda and Saluda Police Department
want to express gratitude to everyone
in the community who joined in efforts to collect
toys for the toy drive this Christmas. There were
nine families in the community of Saluda that
benefited from all of your thoughtful efforts. A
special appreciation also goes out to Mountain Page
Baptist Church who combined their toy collection
with the city. Church members, young and old went
on a caroling hayride and distributed toys on
Saturday, December 23 to several families. The
remaining families came by the Saluda Police
Department during the week before Christmas and
had their pick from all of the wonderful donations.
Again, we cannot express our gratitude correctly in
words for the thoughtfulness of such a fine
community.
Tonya Lindsey
Saluda Chief of Police
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Saluda Senior Center
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The Senior Center serves warm nutritious lunches
Monday through Friday from 11:30-12:30 at a cost
of $3.00 a person.
The Senior Center welcomes all Saluda citizens to
join in the activities and programs offered. You don't
have be a "senior" to participate!
Decorating the walls of the Saluda Senior Center are
original artwork from local residents. Students of well-
known artist, Dale McEntire, these artists have
created beautiful work. The center invites you to
view these paintings. They are:
- "French Connection" by Janice Honeycutt (pastel)
- "Autumn Splendor" by Claudia Seagle (oil on
canvas)
- "Tracey Grove Road" by Sally Thomas (oil on
canvas)
Monday Activities Schedule
9:30 Walking Group
9:30 Line Dancing
10:00 NIA Class
12:30 Yoga
5:30 Yoga
Tuesday Activities Schedule
10:00 Bridge
Wednesday Activities Schedule
9:30 Walking Group
10:00 Trash Train and NIA Class
12:30 Tai Chi
Thursday Activities Schedule
9:30 Knitting Group
10:00 NIA Class
1:00 Sukoku
2:00 Art class
2:30 Board Meeting
Friday Activities Schedule
9:30 Walking Group
10:00 Trash Train
Special Note: A Thrifty Barn needs people who
will pick up and deliver for customers. They would
like to have a list of people on call for this service.
Payment would be between delivery person and the
customer. Please call Joyce at 749-3320
For more information about activities at Saluda
Senior Center call Donna at 828-749-9245.
The Saluda Senior Center provides many services
to the growing retirement community in Saluda.
Volunteers to provide these services are needed.
They encourage you to share your time to help
deliver meals on wheels or work in A Thrifty Barn
retail shop. Please contact Donna at 828-749-
9245.
Basement Sale at A Thrifty Barn first and third
Saturdays of the month.....great bargains!
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Local Artist Receives Award
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Saluda Fine Arts congratulates artist, Jacquelyn
Schechter on her recent international photography
award. The Spider Awards received thousands of
entries from over sixty countries. Winners were
selected by a who’s who Judging Panel from the
international photography community, including
Magnum Photos, LIFE Magazine, Tate Gallery and the
Leica Photo Gallery.
Ms. Schechter’s "Bottled Light," an exceptional
image, was entered in the Still Life category. The
photograph was taken while she was studying at
Penland. "Jacqelyn Schechter’s entry represents
black and white imaging at its finest," said the
awards creative director, Basil O’Brian.
Ms. Schechter is represented by Saluda Fine Arts,
where her winning photograph is currently a featured
display.
Beverly Pickard, Saluda Fine Arts
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Religious Services
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Readers have requested that Saluda Lifestyles
provide a listing of local church services. This is not
a complete list but a representation of the
denominations in Saluda. Painting of Transfiguration
Church was done by Sylvia Jones.
Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
The Reverend Paula C. Morton
8:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist - Rite I
9:15 a.m. - Sunday School
10:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist - Rite II with music
Saluda Presbyterian
The Reverend Gene Witherspoon
Adult SS 10:00 am
Worship Service 11:00 am
Saluda First Baptist Church
The Reverend Ray Talley, Interim
SS 9:45 am
Worship Service 11 am & 6:00 pm
Wednesday 7:00 pm
Saluda Methodist Church
The Reverend Tony Sayer
SS 10:00 am
Worship Service 11:00 am
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Saluda City Notes
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From Mayor Rodney Gibson
The month of January 2007 was a busy and
challenging month for the Saluda Board of
Commissioners and Mayor. This month included
several meetings:
- Regular Monthly Meeting on January 8
- Public Hearing on the Proposed Revisions to the
Current Zoning Ordinance on January 16
- Annual Retreat on managing development on
Saluda’s Gateway on Saturday January 20
The predominant subject of discussion and
consideration was the proposed revisions to the
current zoning ordinance. The proposed revisions
have been prepared over a period of 2 ½ years by a
very dedicated group of volunteers on the Planning
Board. The purpose of the proposed revisions is to:
•Update the language and structure of the
core elements of the current zoning ordinance to
provide clear and simpler language
•Maintain the stringency and intent of the
existing ordinance
•Tighten and strengthen management of:
mobile/modular homes, certain undesirable activities
including:
--Sexually oriented businesses, tattoo parlors and
body piercing establishments
--Junk yards
--Storage trailers and containers
•Establish a ordinance with a sound core that can be
used as a basis for improving management of the
more complex and controversial growth challenges
of:
--Parking
--Signs
--Historic Business District
--“Gateways” into our City
During January the Board of Commissioners and
Mayor listened to and reviewed the comments of
many in our community with regard to the proposed
ordinance. Letters, petitions and e-mails galore were
circulated espousing various viewpoints on the
matter of the proposed zoning revisions.
Additionally, we had a lot of open meeting comments
at the Public Hearing and Annual Retreat. Those
weighing in on the issue included concerned and
interested residents, business owners, property
owners, summer residents, visitors and some that
have only been to our wonderful community a couple
of times.
The breadth of the comments seemed to represent
all possible viewpoints. However, I’ve long learned
that sometimes you have to seek out and look for
opinions that don’t always get represented in public
forums. We received petitions from those that
wanted to strengthen the proposed revisions before
it was considered to those that think that zoning
should be eliminated. And once again, this
community demonstrated to me one of its most
important characteristics. The ability of its people
to disagree but still be agreeable with one another.
On top of that we received many offers from our
community to participate with the process going
forward. One thing is for sure, we’re going to take
them up on the offers. Our volunteers have been
one of the mainstays of our community historically
and it’s good to see that this characteristic still
exists.
A sampling of the opinions and viewpoints expressed:
•Why are we passing an ordinance that doesn’t
address the recognized deficiencies regarding
parking, signs, historic business district “Gateways.”
We should take the time to do this right.
•Can’t we just include some simple, quick fixes before
we pass this ordinance? It seems like that would be
easy to do.
•Why are we in such a hurry to push this through?
•We don’t have to reinvent the wheel, many
communities have good examples that we can
use.
•We need to address parking issues in the Historic
Business District
•The signage allowed in the proposed revisions is not
restrictive enough
•The ordinance doesn’t protect the historic buildings
downtown. Someone could come in, tear down one
of the buildings and put in a parking building
•We want low density and greenspace provided for in
the ordinance. Several years ago, this Board turned
down an ordinance that required property owners to
provide trees, landscaping, architectural design
standards, restrictions on signs, architectural
standards and protections for the historic buildings
and more controls on residential areas. We should
look at that ordinance again.
•Historically, the natives and residents have done a
good job of taking care of what we have. Why is it
that all of a sudden that this is not good enough? It’s
the reason that most of us are still here and others
have moved here. The natives respect their land,
property and our heritage.
•We need to consider the rights of the property
owners and understand that there are limitations on
the restrictions that can be imposed that are
constitutionally based. Additionally, there are past
agreements that have been made regarding zoning
districts that must be abided by.
•Requiring greenspace along Ozone Road could
amount to “taking” since in some cases it would
seriously restrict the value and use of that
property.
•There is a lot of confusion about the C-1, C-2 and
C-3 zoning districts that needs to be cleared up.
•The zoning ordinance should be structured so that
there is a basic ordinance with other specific
sections addressing things such as signage, parking,
Gateways, etc
Needless to say, this is only a sampling but captures
the gist of the general comments that were offered.
After the public hearing, the Board of Commissioners
voted not to take action on the proposed revisions
until they could sort through the comments and
better understand some late-coming revisions that
were offered by the Planning Board.
The discussion continued into the Annual Retreat
regarding “Gateways.” During this meeting the Board
approved a motion to form Advisory Groups to the
Planning Board to help address the more complex and
controversial growth management issues such as
the “Gateways.” The first task is to form a specific
Advisory Group(s) that include stakeholders—
Property Owners, Business Owners and Residents.
Applications for membership on the Advisory Group
(s) are being accepted until our next regularly
scheduled meeting on February 12th. If interested,
please call Doris Marion (749-2581).
The Advisory Groups will provide input on the facts
that need to be gathered as well as growth
management options that are available. Joint
meetings will be held with the Board of
Commissioners, Planning Board and the Advisory
Groups until clear direction on the strategy and
options to be employed are resolved.
I am encouraged and refreshed by the interest of our
community in addressing the broader issues of
growth management. I have my opinions on this
issue and respect the opinions of those that have
taken the time and effort to provide theirs.
Fundamentally, it’s not an issue of whether people
are concerned about their future quality of life in
Saluda. We all seem to have similar hopes and
dreams. There are some that put the emphasis on
lifestyle and community, others who seem to be
more financially driven (e.g., property values, taxes
and the like), some that have their egos wrapped up
in it and then there are those amongst us that are
politically driven.
All are participants in the process. But, there is a
difference of opinion on how to get there. It is the
Board of Commissioners obligation to find the way
and make the tough decisions—popular or unpopular.
Now, where does that leave the Board of
Commissioners on the proposed revisions to the
zoning ordinance? There are several issues to
resolve:
1. Do all the comments and feedback warrant a
significant change in the original plan regarding the
proposed revisions?
2. Should the City continue to take the risk
associated with the undesirable uses, mobil/modular
homes and junk yards that the proposed revisions
address while we wait to resolve the more complex
and controversial growth management issues such as
signs, parking and Gateways?
3. What is the best strategy? Incremental
improvements or wholesale comprehensive changes?
What’s the history of success in Saluda in this regard?
4. Do we want a pre-packaged solution or one
that fits who we have been and who we are now?
It is what it is. It won’t be easy and it won’t be
quick. Fortunately, we have dedicated people and a
community full of resources.
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