In case you missed it, here are some highlights from Tuesday's Council Meeting

• Art in the Park Date Changes - Date changes were approved for Art in the Park for July of 2027 to July 24, 2027, and July of 2028 to July 22, 2028.

• Sunrise Cove Ordinance - A draft Ordinance was approved for satellite annexation of two single family lots off Sunrise Cove to connect to Town water and sewer utilities subject to the conditions of private road improvements and that the cost to upgrade the existing 2'' line to a 6'' ductile iron water line is the responsibility of Rictur Inc.

• Daycare Sepcail Use Permit - The Special Use Permit 2023-02 minor amendment to the Special Use Permit for the daycare center, located at 108 Lakeside Drive was approved to increase capacity from 20-30, which will make consistent with previous State approvals.

• Daycare Lease Agreement - The proposed Lease Agreement with Kid Cove, LLC was approved as presented. Kid Cove, LLC will use the premises for the specific purpose of operating a day care. The hours of operation are to be Monday-Friday from 6:45am to 5:30pm. Recent administrative challenges, including staff retention, led staff to reassess the daycare facility, established in 2023 for Town staff. I recommended this new approach that preserves the current employee benefit at their current discounted rate while reducing the Town’s costs and liability. This Agreement essentially provides a more fiscally prudent approach that will eliminate a projected $176,658 deficit and provide a projected gain of $9,200 in the FY 27-28 General Fund Budget. The Agreement requires preserving 9 enrollment slots for full-time Town of Blowing Rock staff, but will allow Kid Cove, LLC to open enrollment for other children in the community. We are thrilled to be working with Ms. Halee Hartley to continue providing this important benefit to Town staff and to the Blowing Rock community. 

• TDA Board Appointment - Congratulations, Ms. Erin O’hara who was appointed to the TDA Board of Directors. Ms. O’hara will serve out the remaining time of the lodging seat vacated by Mr. Ben McKethan.  

You can watch the meeting in its entirety here

Completed Projects Within the Last 30 Days

• Fire Station Roof - The contractor finished the roof at the Fire Station #1.

• Waterline replacement on Pine Street - The 4-inch cast iron line on Pine Street was replaced with a 6-inch ductile iron line.

• Clark Street Parking - Clark Street Parking lot was graded and paved. Public Works completed striping this week.

• Partial roof replacement at Town Hall – Planning Department side had significant leaks/water infiltration, the roof has been repaired in these areas to correct and prevent any damages.

• Town Hall interior – Wall repairs and paint have been completed in the entrance, lobby, and front offices.

• BRAHM Sidewalks - The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum sidewalks have been completed.

Work in Progress

• Work in progress pause today - on Park Avenue and Laurel Lane are paused today for seasonal traffic!

• Park Ave waterline replacement – The waterline replacement started on Monday and is expected to be completed within 3-4 weeks. The roadway has not been closed during work. *Paused today for seasonal traffic

• Laurel Ave Sidewalks – Demo on Laurel Avenue started while they were at BRAHM to get as much work done as possible. An additional 8-10 weeks of work is expected. This work will likely pause and have to resume in the spring depending on weather. *Paused today for seasonal traffic



• Morris Street Sidewalk Repair - We are in the process of scheduling and coordinating sidewalk repairs on Morris Street. A schedule will be announced soon for early November and will be working with the school on their schedule.

• Clary Court Sidewalks – Demo started for Phase 1 on Monday. The full tentative workplan has been published with Phase 4 being poured on November 12th (see below).

Thank you to our Public Works crew who worked over the weekend clearing roadways and culverts. Debris cleared was mostly leaf debris due to the high winds and rain.

I, along with Public Works, attended a meeting held by NCDOT for snow and ice removal coordination. NCDOT reported that they received their salt supply for the winter. Suppliers are expected to start releasing contracts to municipalities as early as this week. We will be ordering as much salt as we can physically hold on-site. We currently have 75 tons on hand and can hold 200 tons.

Here is a Recap of the Planning Board Meeting last night

• Special Use Permit Subcommittee - The board approved adding Joseph "Woody" Hubbard and Gasper "GK" Naquin to the existing subcommittee, bringing membership to four. The group will review the Town’s special use permit process and land-use ordinance format and develop recommendations for the Planning Board. Its first meeting is scheduled for Monday at 2:30pm in Town Hall (see the Public Notice below).

• Laurel and Pine Townhomes - Construction is underway, including grading, subsurface work, utilities, and preparation for foundation work.

• Shoppes on the Parkway - Building plans are approximately 75% complete. Demolition and site work are expected to begin soon, with building permit applications anticipated after the first of the year.

• Laurel Project - The application was withdrawn due to internal ownership issues. Any future proposal would need to begin the application process again.

• Green Park Inn Area Development - Construction is underway, including drainage, stormwater detention, and utility work. Efforts are also being made to improve roadway clearance along the curve off U.S. 321.

• Development Activity - The board noted that construction activity has reached record levels, with approximately $68 million reported by the end of the previous month, surpassing the prior year's record of $51 million.

You can watch the meeting in its entirety here

Staff has been meeting to plan for the 2026 Halloween Festival. It is scheduled on October 31st. The Monster March lineup will start on Park Ave at 5:15pm, with Trick or Treating on Main Street at 6:00pm, followed by the costume contest with DJ Taco at 7:00pm.

New this year is a pet costume contest. No registrations required!

Get ready to celebrate the holiday season in Blowing Rock November 28th!

Parks & Recreation is now accepting registrations for the 2026 Christmas Parade. Sign up today and be part of one of our community’s favorite holiday traditions: Register Here

Christmas Lights Update The contractor has begun installing the Town’s Christmas lights and will continue working today and early next week. No parking spaces will be used for equipment today or over the weekend, so visitors can continue enjoying downtown without parking disruptions during that time.

We look forward to celebrating the season with you!

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