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Public hearing on Old Yawawasee Road closure draws landowner, events and emergency‑access concerns
Summary
At a public hearing, residents, Linville Resorts and the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games discussed a petition to close a segment of Old Yawawasee Road; stakeholders urged the board to preserve written language protecting games access and emergency‑vehicle ingress, and commissioners agreed to seek negotiated language before adopting a resolution.
A public hearing on a petition to close a portion of Old Yawawasee Road (NCSR 1510) drew comments from property owners, event organizers and county staff about access, safety and language protecting event and emergency access.
County staff explained the statutory standard the board must apply: after hearing public comment, the board must be satisfied that closing the road would not be detrimental to the public interest and that no property owner in the vicinity would be deprived of reasonable ingress or egress. Staff cited the governing statute as NCGS 153A‑241.
Jana Avery, representing Linville Resorts, said the resort intends to allow access for the Highland Games and for emergency vehicles as necessary, and described the closure as intended to protect bordering land and homeowners. Frank Wilson, a nearby resident, objected to closure of the road as a place for pedestrians and hikers and said he wanted at least pedestrian access retained.
Steve Quill, president of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, told the board the games “have no objection to closing the road, provided the language that was in the original document moves on into this next step.” Quill emphasized that shuttle buses use the road and that prior written protections are essential to preserve access during the event.
Staff read the language from a 2012 resolution and cited a recorded agreement (Register of Deeds, Book 451, Page 1762) that conditioned a previous closure on (1) continued access for the Highland Games and an obligation by a resort to maintain ditches and grading before events, and (2) the road being accessible to emergency vehicles.
After public comment, commissioners agreed to seek negotiated language that preserves access and maintenance commitments acceptable to Linville Resorts and the Highland Games. They moved to table adoption of a resolution and to return the matter to a future agenda or public hearing after the parties attempt to carry forward the prior protective language.
What’s next: County staff said it may not be necessary to re‑notice a second public hearing if the negotiation is completed and the matter is placed back on the agenda; the board did not adopt a final resolution at this meeting.
