The town of Boone will begin an appeal process this week on the Superior Court’s decision in favor of local developer Phil Templeton.
On July 3, Superior Court Judge Ronald K. Payne reversed a decision made by the Boone Board of Adjustment (BOA) denying a special use permit for the construction of a medical clinic on State Farm Road.
Click here to read more.
Extra fees for well permits
The new-well permit fee will increase from $225 to $300 on Tuesday, July 1. The fee includes the cost of inspections, fieldwork and a water sample.
Here’s the article from the High Country Press
County passes $60M budget
Watauga County’s property tax rate will remain the same in the next fiscal year, though the overall county budget will increase 4.6 percent.
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners adopted a balanced $60.1 million budget Monday morning, with a $44.6 million General Fund budget for county operations.
Click here for the article in the Watauga Democrat
Boone council accessorizes housing policy
The Boone Town Council was essentially forced to change its policy on accessory housing, which was originally adopted in hope of providing more affordable housing options for the community.
Here’s the article from the Watauga Democrat
Donna Lisenby Becomes First Riverkeeper for Watauga and Elk Rivers
“The law of this nation says that the water of this country belongs to the people,” said Donna Lisenby, former Catawba Riverkeeper, Waterkeeper Alliance board member and new Upper Watauga Riverkeeper, responsible for the protection of the Watauga and Elk rivers. “Riverkeepers protect the people.”
Here’s the article from the High Country Press
10 acres for Boone water intake
Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson announced yesterday evening that the Town is purchasing ten acres along the New River for a raw-water intake.
The intake is located near the Watauga/Ashe county line and the purchase will cost the town $850,000. To cover the costs of the project, the town has applied for an 18 to 19 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Town officials say with the new intake and the existing intakes on Winkler’s Creek and the New River’s South Fork, Boone should be able to meet its twenty year needs.
Here’s the article from GoBlueRidge
Officials want to extend Boone Greenway to Todd
The Watauga County Tourism Development Authority is exploring a regional trail-mapping project that’s designed to capitalize on the tourism value of scenery and outdoor recreation.
Click here to read the article from the Watauga Democrat
Public Hearing on Water Ordinance Changes
The Boone Town Council will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Boone Town Council Chambers on proposed amendments to Article VII of the Water and Sewer Code.
Click here for more information
New Green Business Plan for Watauga County
In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Watauga County, N.C. is a place of amazing beauty with pristine natural resources and a rich cultural heritage. Preserving and protecting these assets is good for the environment and the local economy. The Watauga Green Business Plan is a voluntary, market‐driven program that educates, certifies and recognizes small businesses that have made a commitment to reduce their environmental impact and help build a sustainable community.
Here’s a link to their website
What can I buy in Blowing Rock for 45mil?
A big road. Here they are, in case you haven’t seen them yet, the state released computer mock-ups of the new highway 321.




Watauga High School road expansion
The DOT is planning to remove the row of shops on the Dan’l Boone Inn corner, to allow a new right turn lane.
According to the Uniform Relocation Act, tenants will be eligible to collect up to $10,000 in reestablishment expenses, up to $2,500 in search expenses and will also be reimbursed for any and all moving costs. Tenants could also choose to settle for a single, one-time payout of $20,000 to cover all moving and reestablishment expenses.
Here’s the High Country Press article
High Country Video Highlights
Check out these videos that highlight different parts of the High Country & Blowing Rock: Click to read more