Noise response: Madison County forms focus group to address event venue moratorium

MARSHALL - Madison County heard its residents' concerns about noise pollution at event venues in the county, and the county commissioners responded in kind, issuing a six-month moratorium on new event venue projects.

Now, the county is taking the next steps in addressing how to shore up its language in its ordinances, so as to avoid additional complaints from residents in the future.

In its July 12 meeting at the Madison County Center - North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Marshall, the Board of Commissioners approved Commissioners Michael Garrison and Craig Goforth to serve as the board's two representatives on an upcoming focus group aimed at establishing a roadmap following the county's moratorium on issuing permits to prospective developers of "commercial assembly" businesses, such as hotels, motels, wedding venues and campgrounds, among others.

"As in the courthouse project, I recommend that we have two members of this board be selected to work with staff as we develop the polices and practices for the full BOC consideration of the noise and moratorium changes that will be put into effect at the end of the moratorium, December and January meetings," Interim County Manager Norris Gentry said.

In its February meeting, the Board of Commissioners approved a nine-member focus group to outline a plan for implementing the county's $3.8 million it received for renovations/new construction on its courthouse.

According to Gentry, the event venue focus group would consist of John Noor, a land use attorney contracted by the county, as well as Planning and Zoning Director Terrey Dolan and Development Services Director Brad Guth.

Commissioner Matt Wechtel said he would like to "see a true representation of (residents)" serving on the focus group.

"The whole point of it is, the broader it is, the more apt it is to be done, and to be done right," Gentry said.

Courthouse update

Gov. Roy Cooper's biennium budget, Senate Bill 105, was approved in November and reserves $3.8M for the courthouse project.

The grant will come from the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund for county courthouse repairs and renovations, and Madison is one of 16 counties set to receive money from the special fund, which is operated within the Office of State Budget Management.

According to Gentry, the county recently participated in its first site visit for the courthouse new construction/renovations and will have another visit "in the coming days."

As far back as August 2018, the Board of Commissioners considered a pitch to add brick or stone settings featuring three of the nation’s founding documents, the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.

According to Gentry, the project is set to be completed by local students in the fall.

"(Regarding) the forever under construction Charters of Freedom, the facing material will be delivered soon ... and the Madison High construction trades classes have agreed to continue their work and still finish that project for us," Gentry said.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Madison BOC forms focus group to address event venue moratorium