Susan S. Phillips Village Manager Stacy C. Eggers IV Village Attorney (828)898-9292 www.seesugar.com  Gunther Jochl Mayor Scott. J. Brown Mayor Pro Tem Council Members David Ammann Wade Wittman Dick Casey  a  THE VILLAGE OF SUGAR MOUNTAIN 251 Dick Trundy Lane Sugar Mountain, NC 28604 Manager's Monthly Report March 19, 2024  Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Board Meeting: The P&Z Board met on' Wednesday, February 28th. The Board began a review of the Village ordinances pertaining to the Commercial Business and thel Multiple Use Districtsregulations and requirements. They also discussedi the need to develop cell tower regulations following recent inquiries from cell tower companies. The Board will look at other Municipality's ordinances, continue their review, and make recommendations to the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Board Meeting: The TDA Board met on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. The Board discussed a request from the Avery Chamber for a joint marketing opportunity between the TDA and Chamber to boost the Chamber's advertising in an effort to increase attendance at the Fine Arts Festival's this summer. The Chamber proposed the TDA to contribute $1,500 and the Chamber $500 for a $2,000 ad in Our State Magazine. The Board agreed not to participate ini this request. The Board has received a letter from Mark File that he will not be renewing his contract for marketing services as of April 30, 2024. The Board reviewed proposals for marketing services from three local firms. The Board will have one firm attend the April meeting to discuss details of the proposal before entering into an agreement with them. The Board approved a full page advertisement for celebrating 50 years at the Golf Course in the June issue of Our State magazine. Mark File submitted the attached February 2024 marketing update. The January 2024 collections of the occupancy tax showed a 5% decrease in comparison to January 2023. The occupancy tax collections for the period February 2023 through January 2024 ($856,387) have shown a decrease of $159,217 or 15.67% decrease in comparison to the same Board of Adjustment: Homewood Suites by Hilton (across from New River Building Supply): As reported in early October the Village received a conditional annexation petition, a special use permit application and related plans from Morlin Hospitality to construct at five story, 116 room hotel on Tynecastle Hwy; the property across from New River Building Supply. This is the same developer that Banner Elk had been working with int the last year. Following review in November and identifying several items that needed to be addressed, they have again submitted plans and have requested the Board of Adjustment to review and consider granting them a special use permit for the project. The Board of Adjustment will meet on Tuesday, March 19th at 10 am.  Council on ordinance amendments needed.  period of 2023 ($1,015,604).    Courtyard by Marriott at the Grandfather Center: John Reece of Commercial Realty Associates has informed the Village that we will see construction activity on site this month. Theyl have been working on the development of this project for the past three years and it will be located next to Lowe's Foods ini the Grandfather Center. Once specifics are known as to a start date, a groundbreaking ceremony will be Golf Course Improvement Projects: Following a budget amendment in October to fund the rebuilding of several tee boxes on the golf course and improve the drainage in several areas, Bill and his staff have completed several of these projects in the past month. They have also been busy cleaning up branches, pinecones and other debris that has accumulated over the winter. Tri-County Paving is scheduled to resurface cart paths in early April. We are planning Friday, April 19th as the opening day for the 2024 golf N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) Biannual Cleanup Drive: The NC DOT has scheduled their biannual cleanup drive April 13-27,2024. As in the past, volunteers are needed. To volunteer, send an Reserve II Short-term Rentals Lawsuit: After a three-year long battle over whether or not short-term rentals should be allowed in the Reserve Il condominiums, the NC Court of Appeals has ruled against the Reserve II Homeowners: Association (HOA) ini favor oft the property owners. Ine early 2021, the Board oft the HOA received complaints of overcrowding, noise, garbage, and unauthorized parking during ski season and voted to ban short-term rentals during the winter months. The court ruled "an amendment to a condominium association's declaration which contained a prohibition on short-term rentals was unreasonable where the original declaration expressly contemplated the units being rented." Billboard Tynecastle Highway: Four Eggers has prepared the affidavits in support of a summary judgement motion regarding the billboard on Tynecastle Highway that was damaged during a severe weather event in September 2021. The Village advised the property owner that because of the extent of the damage to the billboard, by' Village ordinance he was prohibited to replace the sign. To date he has Property Tax Collections: Of the $1,410,225 total 2023 levy, $1,375,431 or 97.53% has been collected with a balance of $34,794 uncollected through March 15, 2024. Kudos to Tammy! A balance of $4,304 is still uncollected fort the 2014-2022 tax years. Taxes were due by Friday,January 5,2024 and have now begun to accrue interest and penalties. Tammy has sent out delinquent notices to all property owners with past due accounts. The notice, as required by law, gives them 30 days to payt the taxes due and alli interest and penalties that have accrued by April 1st. The Council will receive a list oft the past due accounts and authorize the tax collector to advertise a notice of delinquent taxpayers at the Administrative Matters: The' Village offices will be closed on Good Friday, March 29th. The Police  planned.  season and celebrating 50 years!  email to: iternews@ncdotgov  not complied with this order.  March 19th Meeting.  Department will be on a regular schedule throughout the holiday weekend.  Respectfullys submifted, honfcllypo Phillips, Village  Susan  Mana