Lake Lure planning details emerge during early voting

Details of Lake Lure’s September planning discussions emerged in an Oct. 20 agenda packet during early voting, putting proposed housing and development policies before residents choosing a mayor and two council members.

Mayor Carol Pritchett faces write-in challengers Kathy Tanner and John Edmonds Kozma. Incumbent Jim Proctor, challengers Friedrich Jaeger-Faber, Dave Lusk and Richard Sayles are competing for two council seats. Scott Doster, who also serves as the liaison to the planning board, is not running for re-election. Early voting is currently underway, and Election Day is Nov. 3.

The town does not livestream or record any meetings, including the Zoning and Planning Board’s meetings. Details of its Sept. 15 and Sept. 23 sessions appeared in the October packet, weeks after members discussed housing options, land-use changes, and recreation priorities.

The Oct. 20 agenda called for a recommendation to Town Council on the proposed 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

The disclosures come as access to town government has become a campaign issue. Incumbents Pritchett and Proctor have not stated support for video recording at the temporary town hall or at other meetings. At the Oct. 1 candidate forum, Pritchett pointed to public records available only after-the-fact, by request. One man has been waiting over 50 days for his to be filled.

Pritchett attributed the absence of meeting videos to displacement from Town Hall after Helene. Tanner argued portable equipment could provide access, while Kozma, Jaeger-Faber, Lusk and Sayles also supported recording or streaming meetings.

The September planning minutes describe potential changes affecting housing availability and future development.

“Members emphasized the importance of flexibility in housing regulations and discussed the need to avoid unnecessarily restricting affordable housing opportunities near existing residential neighborhoods,” the meeting minutes said.

Members discussed manufactured homes, tiny homes and possible amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance. They also considered limited space and difficult terrain at existing mobile home parks.

At the Sept. 23 work session, members reviewed proposed land-use maps parcel by parcel, identifying outdated classifications, boundary issues and mapping inconsistencies. Workforce housing near schools and public safety facilities was among the subjects discussed.

“The Board requested redline or comparison maps showing changes from previous versions to assist with Council review and public understanding,” the minutes state.

The records also distinguish the comprehensive plan from subsequent zoning decisions.

“The Board noted that future rezoning requests would continue to follow the established petition and approval process.”

Separately, members unanimously recommended R-3 zoning for 890 Buffalo Creek Road, where a senior independent living facility is proposed. Community Development Director Michael Williams said the classification permits multifamily residential buildings and is consistent with neighboring zoning.

According to the minutes, the property’s annexation is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

The Crossings of Lake Lure separately advertised an Aug. 6 groundbreaking for a second phase that it said would add 80 independent living residences. Its announcement described homes “designed for comfort, connection and carefree living.”

Recreation discussions included requests to continue exploring a pickleball complex. Thomasina Coile proposed a citizen-led effort with town oversight and no immediate commitment of town funding. Pat Buede supported the concept but raised traffic and emergency access concerns.

“The Board discussed the need for comprehensive master plans for Morse Park and Green Space before committing to specific recreational developments,” the Sept. 15 minutes said.

Members also cited Hurricane Helene’s effects and funding limitations.

Town finances face separate scrutiny through litigation. As previously reported, the Interlocal Risk Financing Fund of North Carolina sued Lake Lure and Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc. on Sept. 17 in Wake County Superior Court.

The docket lists claims involving contract, indemnification, and money owed. The complaint and supporting exhibits were provisionally filed under seal; the specific allegations and amount sought were unavailable in the records reviewed for that report.

Kozma faces a separate private business lawsuit. The docket reviewed for that report showed no judgment establishing liability. Kozma has said opponents and their supporters are “twisting the facts.”

The planning proposals and legal disputes place different records before voters: decisions made by boards, town officials, unresolved claims involving the municipality, and a private financial dispute involving a challenger.