1. Jim Brian, Route 1, Box 417, Flat Rock, Phone: 692-4634. Mr. Brian stated he came to the public hearing to address his concern for the paving priority of Tracy Grove Road but after reviewing the Paving Priority List for FY 1999-2000 he saw it was priority #25. He also requested that NCDOT increase the maintenance of that road until it was paved. Mr. Leatherwood explained to Mr. Brian that Tracy Grove Road would be paved in FY 1999-2000 if all easements were obtained. He explained that preliminary work would begin this fall but it probably will be spring before the road is actually paved. Mr. Leatherwood assured Mr. Brian that it would be paved during FY 1999-2000 if sufficient easements were secured. He asked Mr. Brian to call Mr. Mark Gibbs at the Horse Shoe office about any maintenance concerns for that road.

2. Joel Worley, 10 Beddingfield Drive, Zirconia, Phone: 693-5901. Mr. Worley commended NCDOT officials for paving Board Road, which is the road between Green River Road to Bobs Creek Road, and stated it was finished in an orderly fashion and DOT did a swell job. Mr. Worley also inquired about SR1110 Terry Creek and SR1288 Service Road. Mr. Worley expressed concern that Terry=s Creek was still #43 on the list and Service Road was listed as priority 141 last year and remained the same priority this year. He asked if Service Road would possibly show up on the backup list next year. Mr. Greene stated that Service Road could possibly appear on the backup list next year but NCDOT will probably re-evaluate these assignments next year.

3. Barbara Head, 168 Rock Creek Road, Zirconia. Ms. Head expressed gratitude that Rock Creek Road has been assigned paving priority 24 and questioned how she could assist in expediting that project. Mr. Leatherwood explained she could assist by rallying the property owners on that road to grant easements to NCDOT. Ms. Head also questioned if West Rock Creek Road which is approximately 1/8 mile could be paved at the same time that Rock Creek Road is because they intersect. She stated it could be a cost-savings to do both of them at the same time. Mr. Leatherwood stated that NCDOT must abide by the established priorities. Both of these roads are on the FY1999-2000 priority list and will be completed within that time period. Mr. Leatherwood explained there is a process of condemnation that NCDOT can go through if less than 20% of the landowners will not sign easements and for a cost of $2500 per parcel put up by the landowners who want the road paved. Then NCDOT will take over the easement. Ms. Head also questioned if the 60-foot right-of-way was still in effect. Mr. Leatherwood replied that state law requires a 60-foot right-of-way for rural roads.

4. Terry Maybin, 130 Rock Creek Road, Zirconia, Phone: 692-9872. Mr. Maybin stated he is a garbage hauler in the County and approximately 80% of his route is on Rock Creek Road. He commended NCDOT for the paving already done in that area recently. Mr. Maybin stated his biggest concern about Rock Creek Road is one of safety for travelers. The nature of the road creates maintenance problems due to lack of stone on the road. However, he commended NCDOT for striving to keep Rock Creek Road maintained well and expressed gratitude for all NCDOT maintenance is doing for that road. Mr. Leatherwood explained that statewide NCDOT was approximately $275 million short a year in maintenance of both secondary and primary roads. Consequently, road conditions will continue to deteriorate until more funding is available.

Ms. Padgett informed the NCDOT officials that she was Executive Director for Environmental Conservation Organization, a member of the City of Hendersonville Council, and a member of the Henderson County Planning Board. She admonished the NCDOT officials to be more environmentally conscientious during the road construction projects by limiting destruction and depletion of natural resources. Ms. Padgett stated she felt environmental assessments were not being performed by NCDOT prior to road construction. She encouraged the NCDOT officials to refer to the NCDOT reference manual, AHighway Flexible Designs@ for guidance in environmental impacts of road design and construction. Ms. Padgett urged NCDOT officials to work closely with the municipal and County Planning Boards and local governing bodies during these road projects. She stated she understood the need to pave rural roads but appealed to NCDOT to remember the rural character of the county and try to maintain it.

6. Randy Neall, 3033 Timber Trails, Hendersonville, Phone: 685-9479. Mr. Neall expressed dismay about the destruction of trees and other natural resources on Bald Rock Road during road construction. He stated it appeared trees below the road bed grade had been destroyed unnecessarily. Mr. Neall stated that when he inquired of the NCDOT officials in Horseshoe about the removal of those trees, he was told it was necessary to prohibit shade along the roadway.

Mr. Martin responded to Mr. Neall=s concerns by explaining that trees were removed along the roadway to prohibit shading of the roadway for various reasons. The major reason was to reduce the cost of maintenance, particularly in the winter. Shaded areas require more repair and maintenance because the shaded areas hold moisture that crumples the asphalt and thus potholes and other maintenance problems are created. Trees shading a roadway also create safety hazards for multi-axle vehicles, such as emergency service vehicles, school buses, delivery trucks, farm trucks, recreational vehicles, etc. Mr. Neall respecfully requested that NCDOT be more environmentally conscientious before removing trees during road construction. Mr. Leatherwood explained that NC law now requires shoulders of roadways to be broader to accommodate wider motor vehicles and hence it is necessary to remove more trees and foliage below the grade so that wider shoulders can be maintained.