The Monday, Sept. 24, public hearing regarding Forest Hills’ desire to expand its zoning regulations through extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) was apparently the calm before the storm.

At a subsequent Oct. 1 meeting at which the issue was discussed, the meeting had to be suspended at 10 p.m. because of the overwhelming public input, according to Mayor Irene Hooper.

Residents of the tiny incorporated village near Cullowhee in southern Jackson County have been considering ETJ for more than a year. Last year’s public hearing brought strong opposition from Forest Hills’ neighbors who would be affected.

While the Sept. 24 meeting was quiet by comparison to last year’s, it was evident the resolve of those opposed to the ETJ had not waned.

Mark Jamison, who was in the forefront of the opposition last year, was present representing the Speedwell and Longbranch communities.

“What you’re doing is misuse of ETJ. Our communities remain oppossed ... we stand prepared to fight in every means possible,” said Jamison, who is also a member of the county planning board.

Forest Hills residents like Joe Rossano and Larry Kolenbrander see ETJ as a way of protecting the village from unregulated growth. Rossano said he favors ETJ for stability and felt it would help property values.

Kolenbrander, who is on the town council, said he didn’t see any room for compromise. “They are incompatible issues,” he said.

James Hooper questioned the legality of the proposed “ridgetop to ridgetop” ETJ. Hooper said the ETJ would effectively create single-use zoning (residential) with no provisions for commercial or industrial. He said he felt a judge would find such zoning arbitrary and capricious.

Forest Hills’ regular town meeting Oct. 1 at the University Inn in Cullowhee included, according to Hooper, a “healthy discussion” of the proposed ETJ. She said the recessed meeting would reconvene Oct. 22 at a time and place to be named later.

According to state statute, any municipality can create an ETJ that extends up to one mile beyond the town’s limits. Residents of the ETJ do not pay town taxes and can not vote in town elections but must abide by the town’s zoning and land-use ordinances. The ETJ area does get representation on the planning board.

 

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