Boone Development News
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July 9, 2025 Town Council Meeting
Published: Jul 9, 2025
Town of Boone Proclaims July as Disability Pride Month
The Town Council proclaimed July as Disability Pride Month. This proclamation commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, and aims to recognize the history, culture, and accomplishments of individuals with disabilities. It affirms disability as a natural part of human diversity, advocating for dignity, respect, equality, and the elimination of barriers to participation and inclusion. The proclamation acknowledges the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and appreciates the efforts of disability rights activists. It also highlights the vibrant disabled communities within Boone and commits the town to being a place where all people, including those with disabilities, can live with dignity, safety, access, joy, and pride. The Human Relations Commission will host a Disability Pride event on Saturday, July 26th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Watauga Agricultural Conference Center.
North Carolina's First Double-Decker Electric Bus Unveiled, Aiming to Boost Public Transportation and Reduce Traffic
A double-decker bus, the first of its kind in North Carolina, was unveiled. This acquisition is part of the town's commitment to public transportation and environmental leadership. The bus is expected to significantly increase ridership, taking hundreds of people off the roads and reducing vehicle use. The bus is electric and will begin service on a specific route during move-in weekend, coinciding with the start of the football season. This initiative is seen as a step towards reducing the number of vehicles in Boone.
Boone Council Debates Enhancing Fair Housing Protections Amidst Community Concerns
The council discussed a potential Fair Housing Ordinance, prompted by community concerns about perceived omissions in the current non-discrimination ordinance regarding housing protections, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals, in light of federal and state actions. Town staff explained that the current non-discrimination ordinance (NDO) was drafted to be as strong as possible for a municipality without becoming a participant in the federal Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP), which would require developing local enforcement resources and undergoing a certification process. Currently, only larger North Carolina municipalities participate in FHAP. The discussion explored modifying the existing NDO to explicitly include housing protections, potentially referencing state statutes, or adopting a separate Fair Housing Ordinance. Another option discussed was creating a resolution to outline the town's values regarding fair housing and renters' rights, serving as an educational tool. Concerns were raised about the town's resources to handle local enforcement and the potential for federal/state preemption. The council agreed to explore adding clarifying language to the NDO and to have staff consult with the North Carolina Human Relations Commission regarding language for smaller municipalities, while also developing an educational resolution on renters' rights.
North Street Park Project Evolves to Include Community History and Garden Development
The council received an update on the ongoing project at North Street Park, which began as a threefold initiative supported by a grant. The project included cemetery gravesite markings at Clarissa Hill Cemetery, the creation of a children's ABC book about Junalaska, and the establishment of a community garden in North Street Park. The garden was created to address issues of deer damaging community gardens in the Junalaska area. The project has evolved to include envisioning further park improvements based on community input, such as improved parking, a more suitable entryway, and possibly a pavilion. A significant aspect of the ongoing work involves documenting the stories of the Junalaska community's elderly members, many of whom are passing away. The project also involves identifying and marking gravesites in the Clarissa Hill Cemetery. The council was asked for their blessing or direction on continuing these park improvement ideas. There is also a discussion about potentially renaming the park to honor Rhonda Horton, Sandra Hagler, and Roberta Jackson, with a particular focus on Rhonda Horton, a significant Black leader in the Boone community.
Community Garden Enhanced with Informational Signage and Water System Improvements
George, working on the community garden, has interns assisting with its development. Desiree is creating informational signage to identify individual vs. public plots, pollinator gardens, and perennial crops. Riley is developing a battery-powered pump station to draw water from the creek for the garden's water tanks. George is also exploring employee incentives for downtown parking and the trolley system, as mentioned in the parking proposal.
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The Boone News archive
July 9, 2025 Town Council Meeting
June 25, 2025 Town Council Meeting Part II
June 25, 2025 Town Council Meeting Part I
June 25, 2025 Town Council Meeting Part II
June 25, 2025 Town Council Meeting Part I
May 28, 2025 Town Council Meeting
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