[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,109],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6656303,"mediaKeyId","5334309-560789514e5657b46bc1c11107286bd2","parentId",5334309,"title","Blowing Rock council approves consent items, loading zones, code of conduct updates and begins loan process","audioSeconds",4717,"startMs",316000,"endMs",5033000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334309-560789514e5657b46bc1c11107286bd2&start=316&end=5033","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334309-560789514e5657b46bc1c11107286bd2/thumbnail_316000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6656303/Blowing-Rock/Watauga-County/North-Carolina/Blowing-Rock-council-approves-consent-items-loading-zones-code-of-conduct-updates-and-begins-loan-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656303-26613c6458ff16554b6e7e558210e0b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118790&Signature=TUsFNZhBpYkWMiuSL8MXTl-V98fZXv9gkvwI0A9kk3p235BlqKIvASH4jV5BWw1OU6pCpJwtw340jNg9QOqJUcaw0Zr-ttQ1zbeC3VBgY2kdOJ8j0HNjyAjpDpvGwZohQ8dTcWva2sHJeLExrU1P73K5wNUZ~bHXmDpRwl9InDTMQh~gly8XkID5uF8KNJQNFpwW4Uf45w8aCj82tS1u5IPyrRoeIpyr8GfneMkVkeFQrtHoW6u2AiRvNDKcOYSByfzuKe-pjIdXozEELxSFHiV91KPt90DHpIxn8HSgSb3LqYVjOepAQtzSV4NVpVzPxqemqtdywxiN3nexLom8kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Blowing Rock","date","2025-07-09T12:48:50Z","article","Blowing Rock Town Council on July 8 approved a slate of routine and substantive items, including consent agenda measures, authorization to solicit bids for a proposed $2.25 million installment loan, permanent downtown loading zones and a draft code of conduct to be finalized with agreed edits.

The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included the annual tax report and order of collection, a fireworks permit for the Blowing Rock Chamber/Blue Ridge Relay and a public-safety-related resolution (listed in the packet as “3 21 resolution / safety”).

In a public hearing on proposed debt financing, the council authorized staff to solicit bids for an approximately $2,250,000 installment loan to fund the Colas Memorial Park project, the purchase of two parcels and upgrades at Fire Station 1, with Fire Station 1 to serve as collateral. Staff said the proposed loan would be amortized over 10 years with a first payment due in 2026 and that the Local Government Commission (LGC) must grant final approval. The council voted to proceed with the bidding and LGC application.

Councilmembers voted to adopt permanent loading zones on Main Street and Sunset Street (locations in the public packet). The council directed staff to notify downtown businesses and involve the Chamber of Commerce in outreach; enforcement and potential penalties would be developed later if needed.

After extensive review and suggested edits from councilmembers, the council voted to approve the draft Code of Conduct and Ethics framework subject to the changes discussed at the meeting (including terminology adjustments, an annual signature/acknowledgement requirement and statutory citation for kinship definitions). The council agreed staff would circulate a revised draft and that board and commission members would be asked to sign the final code by the end of August.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of meeting minutes (June 10, 2025; June 24, 2025 mid‑year retreat; closed sessions): motion moved, seconded, carried (unanimous).
- Consent agenda (annual tax report and order of collection; fireworks permit—Blowing Rock Chamber/Blue Ridge Relay; 3 21 resolution/safety): approved (unanimous).
- Public hearing/proposed debt financing (authorize solicitation of bids and proceed with LGC application for ~$2,250,000 installment loan for Colas Memorial Park, two parcels purchase and Fire Station 1 upgrades; Fire Station 1 as collateral): motion moved, seconded, approved (unanimous).
- Loading zones (permanent loading zones on Main Street and Sunset as presented): motion moved, seconded, approved (unanimous).
- Code of Conduct and Ethics (adopt draft subject to edits discussed at meeting; require annual acknowledgement/signature and distribution to boards/commissions): motion moved, seconded, approved (vote recorded as yes from councilmembers present).

Why this matters: The loan authorization starts a multi-step financing process that will return to council after bids are received and LGC review is complete; local parking changes will affect downtown merchants and deliveries; the code adoption establishes expected standards for elected officials and board members and will be implemented across town boards.

What happens next: Staff will distribute the RFP for the installment loan, return to council with bid results and an LGC application timeline, post and circulate finalized code documents for signatures, and launch outreach to downtown businesses about the new loading zones.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Meeting - Tuesday, July 8th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Blowing Rock Town Council on July 8 approved consent items and moved forward on a $2.25 million financing plan, while also adopting permanent downtown loading zones and advancing a revised code of conduct for elected officials and board members.","taxTitle","Blowing Rock, Watauga County, North Carolina","taxId",61360,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6656287,"Blowing Rock council adopts updated code of conduct, asks staff to finalize edits and collect signatures by August",2304,5280000,7584000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334309-560789514e5657b46bc1c11107286bd2&start=5280&end=7584","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334309-560789514e5657b46bc1c11107286bd2/thumbnail_5280000.jpg","/articles/6656287/Blowing-Rock/Watauga-County/North-Carolina/Blowing-Rock-council-adopts-updated-code-of-conduct-asks-staff-to-finalize-edits-and-collect-signatures-by-August","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656287-f3b5834c8dadab5545095cd4c985cb6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118790&Signature=VjIm-vKuQAOcRJ1E9x~HnXMBOCtHmQVBF77oGxyQYAVhYVnZ4C-FLPFXL8Z7HNuPHegEX799SgZZlqZWXEq~QtZC4QR7cF~ZbwvthgZssHH9ZANzU3gKV-tG2X8mSA74yzfynmEqHbF7heV-mxFXJwW9Z1faa0DkFGIkaSkzNOC2040tpsM4rI7xd~KdC8-05gMEvKd3wFQ2nK~ThKyFO6C~pPRBxwAxhhpwBD6G6VFcJtR02ZL6TQbgzeiMsTTuyO9fqwI8XUqK3J8-XaKz1mF3gN6hCyYY7bW4Q2s6ZX7OnyRe2UnbJHguT2Irqy9GD50jgFh-QDDC-DZfT2~7Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Blowing Rock Town Council on July 8 voted to approve a revised Code of Conduct and Ethics framework for elected officials and board members, contingent on several edits the council requested during a detailed review. Councilmembers asked for language clarifications, a statutory citation to define degrees of kinship/relative, the addition of an annual signature requirement for board members and consistent references to \"mayor\" and \"councilmember\" throughout the document.

Council discussion covered many specific editorial points, including renaming an \"appeal protocol\" subsection to \"testimony protocol\" and changing the time-language for public comment from a fixed \"usually 3 minutes\" to a mayor-or-chair determination of a \"reasonable and meaningful length of time.\" Members also asked that staff add \"research and staff time\" to the list of items elected officials should not solicit from town staff and to ensure the document refers to the town \"clerk\" rather than \"secretary\" where appropriate.

The council agreed staff should incorporate the edits, include the statutory citation for kinship computations (as referenced in the meeting) and add a short definition so signers know what the citation means. Councilmembers asked staff to distribute the finalized document and request signed acknowledgements from council, mayor and all board/commission members by August 31. The council voted to adopt the draft subject to these changes.

","After detailed line-by-line discussion, council approved a revised code of conduct and ethics framework July 8 subject to editorial and statutory clarifications; staff will produce a final draft and seek signatures from boards and commissions by the end of August.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6656292,"Blowing Rock council approves Main Street and Sunset loading zones; outreach and enforcement to follow",642,4839000,5481000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334309-560789514e5657b46bc1c11107286bd2&start=4839&end=5481","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334309-560789514e5657b46bc1c11107286bd2/thumbnail_4839000.jpg","/articles/6656292/Blowing-Rock/Watauga-County/North-Carolina/Blowing-Rock-council-approves-Main-Street-and-Sunset-loading-zones-outreach-and-enforcement-to-follow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656292-595dc38dcb668460c61c9dbe2f806dfd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118790&Signature=iT0XyQnpzjYv6X9xiFiAYfd~uiuXSMqPcYvLnI4gpAJb0jfLE5Stmz8Vy3SIoYHDZBLlN0G-EIE3lziZHwkvoD-8rRT3C7knzYaAuhw9YaspCKDubgW4sdM9tr9DaO5ap4Yowr~T4HAu2B~vl0UCVt0ZqniSoUO8llO9fol2~UEUq5gTHfpitiIGV0zW9ak3Q0EPj6L8nlgOHqsqmi~fhcUPE--orovhhrm3cBFuiCUbW1srMDrA6z4T0XBu6uMdFPtu-oAXiPfOgZvgWyjZwSVaw6kzju6cYT5k6N6DeCEP-tyI02idb3WcovdPYpLrTZW4sYJ6hkrwOsLpzK8dnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Blowing Rock Town Council on July 8 voted to install permanent loading zones in two downtown locations: a multi-space loading area on Main Street outside the 1888 Museum/Memorial Park area and a single-space loading area on Sunset Street near the school bus garage entrance. Council discussion focused on balancing delivery needs with limited downtown parking.

Town staff said the Sunset location is used by buses only twice daily and would accommodate a straight truck; the Main Street area would remove about three parking spaces and provide roughly 80 feet of space for loading, which staff said would be adequate for delivery vehicles including straight trucks. Councilmembers asked staff to coordinate markings with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (Main Street is within DOT’s right-of-way) and to work with the Chamber of Commerce and downtown merchants on outreach prior to implementing changes.

The council did not adopt a specific penalty schedule for noncompliance; members said enforcement options and any fines could be discussed and brought back later. Council asked staff to propose alternate nearby handicapped parking to replace any existing accessible space lost to the loading zone.

Staff will post signage and coordinate NCDOT striping; outreach to businesses and truck operators will be conducted through the Chamber before the zones go into effect.

","The council on July 8 approved permanent loading zones on Main Street (in front of the 1888 Museum/Memorial Park area) and on Sunset Street near the school bus garage; staff will notify merchants and coordinate with NCDOT on markings and signage.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":44,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":50,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6656295,"Local outfitter asks Blowing Rock council to allow food trucks on private lots during busy season",236,552000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334309-560789514e5657b46bc1c11107286bd2&start=316&end=552","/articles/6656295/Blowing-Rock/Watauga-County/North-Carolina/Local-outfitter-asks-Blowing-Rock-council-to-allow-food-trucks-on-private-lots-during-busy-season","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656295-b7a92433a500075511b4293491c6b06d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118790&Signature=fbRpFrxWOKetTGhqJHDLy~~idj0LaterdEiyCz9SqBycrONEtcuBKvP4bKWpBEEa9Wb-gavy9Hvm0NYNtWwcLmdEDmzA0vQ03BBXWcNgQFocy~oNAZnGWravBDc2QXfh31Twks5~HnCB0EEJu6JYjYMRx6Nta-vY1a-rZXOXvQ6euJSXL8Mk-sI7rjtG9bFPO5fgmY9HuLD3b~x~SZoMPvjSpAKOqr1cvkPgVNboZmjvMNeEyCMt6epyK79WDJVU8wj5aAK7XzoUpeB3uChaUgFH4jZHhI-ggH7RMYE2XdtqI~s0W4seDz6prQBA7yDs1LZpyBGYPtioPg3WoACV7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eric Rinker, a Blowing Rock business owner, urged the council during the public-comment period on July 8 to permit food trucks to operate on private property in town on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the busy season. Rinker said he planned to host food trucks in the parking area between his (closed midweek) restaurant and an adjacent outfitters business and that past special-event permits had tripled his shop’s sales on event days and increased beverage sales at the restaurant by about $1,000 on those days.

Rinker told the council that the food-truck industry had been impacted by recent storms and that rotating trucks week-to-week would allow vendors to make sales without taking a permanent parking spot away from customers. He proposed a trial run for the remainder of July through the start of the school year and offered to provide data from the trial for council review.

Councilmembers acknowledged prior discussions and said staff would follow up. Town staff asked Mr. Rinker to coordinate with Town Manager Shane and said staff would share feedback; council did not take formal action on the request during the meeting.

","Eric Rinker of Flannery Fork Farms Road urged the council to permit food trucks on private property on Tuesdays and Wednesdays while his restaurant is closed, saying the vendors boosted sales at special events and could help meet summer dining demand.",{"_33":110,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":111,"_41":112,"_43":113,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6656299,"State preservation office briefs Blowing Rock council on National Register, local designation and tax incentives",3970,597000,4567000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334309-560789514e5657b46bc1c11107286bd2&start=597&end=4567","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334309-560789514e5657b46bc1c11107286bd2/thumbnail_597000.jpg","/articles/6656299/Blowing-Rock/Watauga-County/North-Carolina/State-preservation-office-briefs-Blowing-Rock-council-on-National-Register-local-designation-and-tax-incentives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656299-3d4bf3930c1069026619c63d79743c1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118790&Signature=LZu1EU7-V6r7KrJkSVySAZQtwU4nVf0CIP3oVdlGEQKxiEjs6csUqFmDOTcaVEg0xyYd3StOcvh-3S2P8tD3SKQER~zBhL7TpiB~xNrInvvsEeDnugmQp9pvzNr9G-9x~K2LTVLYBVO4DdKJJMH2uDdhSOr2N8XjQvOZ5B17LvJb18xmrgfjtKxiEjlPAK7kKhsMysQSMoasQOYjx8j5wieWoBSGFhgFjQVxWLsgFMW57KHPEQSR6csQc3lxhILIju4mjYgc0NZrAK3CyVfKQvRqDoUTX8dlXM3rwhkmtpdTgfK~ojiKgaAShsfCv6IvUKIcEx6LIDMQL5NTaCmVLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from the North Carolina Historic Preservation Office briefed the Blowing Rock Town Council on July 8 about options for historic recognition and local preservation tools, explaining the differences between federal National Register listings and locally enacted historic districts and how each affects regulation, incentives and review processes.

Christie Brantley of the Historic Preservation Office described three primary designations: National Historic Landmarks (federal), National Register of Historic Places (federal, administered through the state) and local designations enacted by municipalities. She told the council that National Register listing is honorary and does not by itself restrict owner actions, but properties listed become subject to review under Section 106 when federal funds or permitting are involved. Local designations, she said, are regulated by certificates of appropriateness and design standards enforced by a local historic preservation commission.

Sarah Woodard, architectural survey and National Register branch supervisor, described the state’s survey database and explained nomination basics: a property or district must meet National Register criteria (significance, integrity and a defined period of significance). Woodard said Blowing Rock previously appeared on the state study list and that staff member Beth King prepared a draft map focused on the downtown commercial corridor; King found a concentration of resources dating largely to buildings constructed after a major 1924 fire and suggested a potential period of significance beginning in 1924 and possibly ending in the 1930s or later depending on nomination research.

Town staff and council members asked how the local process begins; preservation staff recommended a study-list application, which is straightforward and reviewed by the state’s National Register Advisory Committee that meets three times a year. Woodard said the committee’s review and subsequent Park Service review generally spans about nine months from a submitted draft nomination to National Register decision (45 days at the Park Service after state-level recommendation). She also reviewed owner notification and objection rules (individual owners can object to individual listings; if 50% of owners in a proposed district object, listing is halted).

Brantley reviewed financial tools and protections: locally designated individual properties may be eligible for a property tax deferment (transcript referenced a “50% tax deferment” for individually designated properties under N.C. statute), while National Register listings can make properties eligible for federal and state rehabilitation tax credits (examples and percentage rates were discussed). Brantley and Woodard also noted grants and the Certified Local Government program as funding sources and training opportunities; they cautioned that federal Historic Preservation Fund availability may change with federal appropriations.

Council members and residents asked procedural questions about surveys, local commission formation and outreach; town staff agreed to post the presenters’ PowerPoint on the town website and to provide contact information at the town hall. Preservation staff offered to provide the study‑list application and follow up by email and in printed form at the town hall.

","Representatives from the North Carolina Historic Preservation Office explained differences between National Register listing and local historic designation, the role of Section 106 reviews for federally involved projects, potential tax credits and the local designation process.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Blowing Rock council approves consent items, loading zones, code of conduct updates and begins loan process

Blowing Rock council adopts updated code of conduct, asks staff to finalize edits and collect signatures by August

Blowing Rock council approves Main Street and Sunset loading zones; outreach and enforcement to follow

Local outfitter asks Blowing Rock council to allow food trucks on private lots during busy season

State preservation office briefs Blowing Rock council on National Register, local designation and tax incentives