Anyone looking to build in the Central Business District of the City of Blue Ridge that doesn’t already have a permit will have to wait another six months.
Due to the threat of a lawsuit by Zachary Wojohn, the decision to establish a six-month moratorium on approving any land disturbance and building permits was made by the council after an executive session during their regular meeting Tuesday, January 25.
“I have prepared Resolution number BR 2022-01, which, in essence, would impose a six month moratorium on the acceptance of land disturbance permit applications and building permit applications in the Central Business District while the issues of storm water management and run off can be studied and addressed,” City Attorney Chuck Conerly said.
Since Wojohn, representing his company Executive Parking Systems, also provided a notification of their termination of services, effective February 18, Haight said the city will be taking over the management themselves and approved reallocation of their parking revenue.
In Wojohn’s letter telling of the termination, he said, “As locals and vested members of this community, we want only the best in successes for the City of Blue Ridge.”
The company had been managing the city’s lot off Mountain Street beside TruFitness as well as the city hall lot during events.
A portion of the funds made from the parking was allocated to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), but they will no longer receive those funds.
The money the DDA received from the parking will now go into the city’s general fund for storm drain and downtown bathroom projects, Haight said.
The parking company had been receiving 20% of that revenue.
Consequently, up to $10,000 was approved for Haight to get all the materials necessary, specifically a kiosk and insurance, for the city to take over the parking.