Clear Creek Pines community center CUP renewed to include nurse practitioner office amid mixed statements from a previous tenant

The commission approved renewal of Conditional Use Permit CUP25-044 to continue the Clear Creek Pines community center use and to add a nurse-practitioner office (health clinic) at 5151 Enchanted Lane in Blue Ridge.

Planner Bob Short summarized the history: the community center originally operated from an old fire station under a CUP granted in 2005; the CUP expired in 2015. The facility houses a lending library, park, water storage tank and community meeting space. The requested amendment adds a nurse-practitioner clinical office as a permitted health-clinic use under the CUP.

During public comment nurse practitioner Lettie (Letty) Ryan said she had previously leased and invested in preparing the space for clinical use and later discovered the property lacked zoning authorization for a medical clinic; she said she suffered financial loss and urged denial. A Clear Creek Pines Property Owners Association board member, Roy Dean, said the board had supported the clinic and offered to help with permitting and expressed disappointment at Ryan's prior difficulties; he said other nurse practitioners were prepared to operate in the space and the association supported the CUP renewal.

Short said the director waived a neighborhood meeting requirement because the community center is a longstanding use; the applicant supplied 46 letters of neighborhood support for the nurse-practitioner office and staff received no opposition letters. Staff recommended approval with six conditions that require adherence to the approved site plan and specified uses.

Commissioners asked about emergency response and access; Short said a volunteer fire station is nearby. After discussion the commission voted to approve CUP25-044 with conditions (roll-call vote recorded as unanimous among present commissioners).