(* former member)

The Town of Blowing Rock sits astride the Eastern Continental Divide at an elevation of 3,579 feet and has a permanent year-round population of approximately 1,400. Blowing Rock is situated along US Highways 321 and 221, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, and is known as "the Crown of the Blue Ridge". Blowing Rock is a very special place to live, work, and play, and is a full service community on the Blue Ridge Parkway -- centrally located to many High Country attractions.

Community character is an evolving process and something that takes years to develop. Blowing Rock’s character was evolving even before the Town’s incorporation in 1889. But every few years, the community has to evaluate where it has been and determine its path to the future. In 1982, the Planning Board wrote the first Comprehensive Plan. That plan was instrumental in the revision process of the 1984 Land Use Code. In 1992, a steering committee was formed to evaluate the planning process and prepare amendments to the Plan. In 1993, the Town adopted its second Comprehensive Plan. In 2000, it was again time to review the progress of the previous decade and recognize new opportunities for change. The best resource in Blowing Rock is the citizens who live here, and the Town officials wanted to include them in their planning process.

In order to maintain the "unique mountain resort character" of Blowing Rock, the Town government has involved the citizens in various public participation processes to create a vision for the future. In 2000, the Town mailed to all citizens "Vision 2000 Community Survey". The survey respondents were asked to share their ideas on growth, municipal services, town government, transportation, parking, tourism, parks and recreation, tree protection, public safety, and commercial development. Results from this survey and policies adopted in the 1993 Comprehensive Plan were used in preparation of drafting a new plan. In the summer of 2003, the Town held two visioning workshops with town citizens in an effort to draft new development standards for the Town Center District. In addition to new downtown development standards, a draft vision statement was developed through the workshops. The Planning Board and Blowing Rock Town Council have adopted this vision statement, setting a course for Blowing Rock’s future.

In 15 years, Blowing Rock, North Carolina, will continue to be a special mountain resort community, along the Blue Ridge, that has maintained and retained its sense of place and history. Its diverse architecture, appreciation for and compatibility with nature, walkability, compactness, safety, and civic pride make it welcome to residents and visitors. Blowing Rock will be well-maintained and design-conscious without sacrificing its authenticity and diversity.

The 2004 Blowing Rock Comprehensive Plan is divided into eight (8) chapters – Land Use and Development, Preservation of the Natural Environment, Recreation and Cultural Resources, Economic and Commercial Development, Municipal Services, Transportation, Regional Cooperation, and the Action Plan. Some chapters are further divided into subchapters. Each chapter and some subchapters have an introductory section, a mission statement, and a series of policy statements that provide specific guidance on the decision-making process. Most chapters also have a list of action statements that identify programs, policies, plans, and regulations to be developed over the next several years.

The Comprehensive Plan is one of several tools used for defining, shaping, and enhancing the small town character that makes the Town of Blowing Rock such a treasured place to live, work, and play.

The following general implementation strategies will help to evaluate the Town’s progress over the next several years:

1. Prepare a five-year program, with annual modifications, that will address program changes and needs for staff, facilities, and equipment.

3. Pursue each strategy within the time specified for implementation and, when necessary, make adjustments that are in keeping with the mission statements.

4. Ensure that adequate staff support and funding are available for Plan implementation.

5. Assume the responsibility of amending this Plan should circumstances and conditions in the Town significantly change.

6. Welcome and manage community efforts designed to support implementation of this Plan.

Blowing Rock is considered small by most community standards. It covers only 3.0 square miles and, according to the N.C. Office of State Planning and Budget, the permanent resident population in 2003 was 1,412.

Blowing Rock is recognized and admired for its "small town" character. That character, which is a magnet that draws residents and visitors to our community, is reflected in the quaint shops on Main Street, the historic churches, the stone walls, the rustic cottages and manor houses, the lush parks, the wooded hillsides, and the mountain vistas. Most of all, Blowing Rock’s character is personified through its people. We are a caring family of native and local mountain folk, newcomers, and seasonal residents, who have diverse cultural and social backgrounds, but who stand united in our affection for this village that we call "home" and steadfastly want to protect it from the ravages of time and unfettered change.

Because of its setting along the Blue Ridge mountains, its attractiveness, and its small town character, Blowing Rock will continue to grow as more people wish to share in that experience. However, Blowing Rock can be an exception to the typical style of development that results in "cookie cutter buildings, increasing ugliness, shrinking open space, noise, visual pollution, blight, and the disappearance of the countryside". To preserve our community’s heritage and character, we must influence the quality and quantity of that change and development. We must shape it, manage it, and mitigate its undesirable impacts.

1.A.1. The physical borders of the Town should not be significantly expanded beyond the current Town limits. However, because the Blue Ridge Parkway is a natural border on the northern edge of Town, the expansion of the Town to the Blue Ridge Parkway would be consistent with this objective.

1.A.2. Town services (for example, water, sewer, and solid waste collection) should not be expanded beyond the Town limits, except where in the best interests of the Town. Development that occurs within the Town limits should be limited to the capabilities of the water, sewer, and street systems.

The heart of any community is its residential neighborhoods. In Blowing Rock, quaint, quiet, and cozy neighborhoods have long been an essential component of the rich heritage of our community. From rustic cottages to historic manor homes, the diversity of residential dwellings has also contributed to the charm of our neighborhoods. The neighborhoods of Blowing Rock are typically characterized by single family homes on wooded lots, with many of the homes being oriented toward a gorge or mountain view.

Blowing Rock is fortunate that it does not have any blighted neighborhoods. However, there are isolated properties that need special attention and improvement. The adoption of a property maintenance code and the strengthening of the Town’s nuisance ordinance provisions would help minimize the impact of the isolated substandard properties on adjacent property values.

The 1993 Comprehensive Plan noted that there was an underlying concern that many local residents were being priced out of Blowing Rock due to inflated property costs. That plan recommended that an intermediate single-family zoning district (between the R-15 and R-6 districts) be created to provide less expensive lots in a price range affordable to first-time buyers or lower income residents. The R-10 District was created in response to that policy.

1.B.1. Protect and preserve the quality and atmosphere of existing neighborhoods by ensuring that future development will be compatible with and will maintain the character of those neighborhoods.

1.B.7. As new residential areas and subdivisions are developed, the new streets should be aligned with existing streets so that there is free circulation within a neighborhood and between adjoining neighborhoods. The only exceptions shall be for significant physical limitations imposed by the site topography, the occasional cul-de-sac located within a network of connecting streets, or where the resulting effect of connecting adjoining streets would be to encourage the use of such streets by substantial through-traffic.

In any municipality, it is often difficult to balance the sometimes contradictory interests of the residential and business communities. It is especially difficult to balance those interests in a resort setting like Blowing Rock. Residents, who have made a significant investment in order to live in community where they can take advantage of the quiet neighborhoods, the small-town atmosphere, the quaint shops, the up-scale restaurants, the lush parks, the wooded hillsides, and the mountain vistas, often prefer a slower-paced community with reduced traffic, congestion, and development. On the other hand, business owners, who rely heavily on the tourist trade for their livelihood, often prefer a faster pace with higher levels of traffic and tourists and increased development.

A common ground between the divergent interests is a desire to preserve the village quality, character, and atmosphere. The quality of the village is why most residents have moved here or remained here, and it also enhances residential property values. Likewise, the quality of the village is the principal magnet that draws tourists and visitors to our community. A decline in that quality could have dramatic effects on both the residential and business communities.

Blowing Rock’s economy is dependent upon tourism. According to Edward T. McMahon, the noted land use planner and Director of the American Greenways Program, when he visited Blowing Rock in the fall of 1998:

Appropriate levels of land use controls and appearance standards are necessary to protect the quality and character of Blowing Rock. However, it is important to incorporate the views of both the residential community and the business community in the development and adoption of those regulations.

1.C.1. To minimize the impact of commercial uses on existing residential neighborhoods and to maintain the small-town character of Blowing Rock, the Town should not allow the expansion of business uses beyond the current business districts.

1.C.6. Any new commercial growth, development, or redevelopment must be carefully regulated and managed so that it reflects the unique characteristics of Blowing Rock as a "mountain village". The Town should maintain and enforce standards for building designs, building materials, building colors, landscaping, lighting, and signage. The business community should be encouraged to participate in the adoption of these standards that will preserve and protect the quality and character of Blowing Rock.

D. The Downtown (Town Center)

The heart of Blowing Rock is the downtown or Town Center. While the Town Center is noted for its specialty stores and fine restaurants, it also includes Memorial Park, the Town offices, the Community Library, the Blowing Rock School, the Police, Fire, and Rescue Stations, and many of Blowing Rock’s historic churches. It is the vibrant center of community life.

The Town Center has an atmosphere that is reminiscent of an earlier, simpler time. The downtown storefronts are full, the parking spaces are full, the sidewalks are crowded with eager shoppers, and the laughter of children emanates from the park. Visitors flock to Blowing Rock to experience the small-town environment.

Sometimes, however, the number of visitors to our community can be overwhelming. On summer and fall afternoons and on weekends year round, the public parking spaces are full, the sidewalks are crowded, and traffic moves slowly trying to find an available parking space. The Town Council appointed a Parking Advisory Committee in August of 2000 to study the parking situation and to make recommendations on how to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the parking spaces. Some of the recommendations of that Parking Advisory Committee have been incorporated into this planning document (please see Section VII.D. of these policy statements).

Because Blowing Rock’s economy is based on tourism, and because the Town Center is the heart and soul of the community, it is important that the quality and character of the Town Center be protected and preserved.

1.D.1. While the architecture in the Town Center is somewhat mixed, the signature buildings share a common theme: native stone, dark red brick, or wood siding; peaked roofs; multi-paned windows; asphalt or slate roofing shingles; and muted colors. New commercial and institutional buildings in the Town Center should have a similar design and use similar building materials, and conform to the Commercial Design Standards.

1.D.2. Trees on Main Street and Sunset Drive need to be protected and preserved. Dead or dying trees need to be removed and replaced with appropriate street trees. Pruning to accommodate overhead utilities should be done in accordance with accepted nursery standards to protect the health of the trees and to avoid unsightly disfiguration. Existing trees should be fertilized and nursed back to health if possible, otherwise they should be removed and replaced as stated above.

1.D.4. Develop a master improvement plan for Main Street and Sunset Drive. The plan should include reconstructed sidewalks, underground utilities, additional street trees, enhanced landscaping, and other "streetscape" improvements. Redundant or excessive signs, trash cans, benches, and other street "clutter" should be eliminated as part of the improvement plan.

1.D.6. Prepare an inventory of all historically significant buildings, walls, and other structures that should be preserved in the Town Center. Encourage the rehabilitation and reuse of historic structures in the Town Center.

1.D.9. Compile an inventory of the character-defining elements in the Town Center.

E. Community Appearance

As we have discussed earlier, the attractiveness of Blowing Rock in its mountain setting is one of the characteristics of the community that draws residents and visitors alike. That attractiveness includes stone buildings, mountain architecture, stone walls, wooded lots and hillsides, lush parks, and manicured gardens. It also includes clean streets and sidewalks, tasteful signs, and subdued colors. The appearance of Blowing Rock is one of its primary assets and should be preserved and enhanced.

1.E.1. Encourage and support the planting of trees and flowers in all areas of Town.

1.E.2. Require telephone, power, and cablevision lines to be placed underground to the extent authorized by State law and where practical. Where lines cannot be placed underground, use alleys where possible to remove the lines from streetfronts or consolidate the lines on one side of the street. Encourage uniformity of type, style, and color for existing lines and poles.

F. Historic Resources and Preservation

According to Ed McMahon, the noted land use planner, "Historic preservation is important. We need to preserve those places that physically link us to the past. Those places tell us who we are and where we have come from. They contribute to our sense of belonging. Preservation of buildings, neighborhoods, and landscapes is also good for the economy."

Blowing Rock’s historic buildings, churches, cottages, manor houses, and stone walls connect us to the past and provide us with a sense of place. They are also a principal component of Blowing Rock’s "small town" character and serve as a magnet to draw residents and visitors to our community.

To preserve the charm and character of Blowing Rock, we must also preserve those historic places and structures that contribute to that charm.

1.F.1. Work closely with interested groups to promote mutual goals to preserve our history.

1.F.2. Cultivate public and private support for measures that would protect historic structures. Special emphasis should be placed in obtaining support from the property owners that would be affected by those measures.

1.F.7. Prepare a comprehensive inventory of other buildings, walls, trees, and structures that are significant to the Town’s history, but which would not qualify for the National Register.

The area surrounding Blowing Rock, because of its desirability, will face continuing pressures to grow and develop. One of the Town’s significant tasks will be to influence or manage that growth so that it will be consistent with the existing quality and character of Blowing Rock.

The North Carolina General Statutes generally recognize that those areas adjacent to existing municipalities are the areas most likely to experience growth and development. Accordingly, the General Statutes give municipalities specific tools that can be used to influence or control that growth and development.

For example, a town like Blowing Rock, with a population of less than 10,000, can extend its zoning and subdivision regulations up to one mile beyond its corporate limits. The exercise of that extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) is recognition that the development of the area adjacent to a municipality will certainly have an effect upon the municipality itself. It is also recognition that the area adjacent to the municipality may someday become part of the municipality through annexation. Therefore, the municipality should have influence and some control over the type of development that occurs beyond its borders.

The power of annexation is another tool that municipalities can use to influence or control the growth and development of adjacent areas. In North Carolina, a municipality may extend its boundaries, with or without the consent of the property owners affected by the annexation, into those areas adjacent to the municipality that meet certain minimum standards of "urban development".

1.G.1. The physical borders of the Town should not be significantly expanded beyond the current Town limits. However, because the Blue Ridge Parkway is a natural border on the northern edge of Town, the expansion of the Town to the Blue Ridge Parkway would be consistent with this objective and should be pursued.

The Planning Board and Board of Commissioners should continue to review existing land use patterns and existing zoning classifications; and recommend changes, where appropriate, to best serve the future interests of the Town.

The natural scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains lured settlers to Blowing Rock over one hundred years ago. Today, those same mountain vistas, along with wooded lots, lush parks, and manicured gardens, continue to draw residents and visitors to our mountain paradise. Residents and visitors alike consider the Town’s wooded setting to be an essential part of its special community character. In addition to their aesthetic contributions, trees afford many environmental benefits such as maintaining air and water quality, providing natural habitat, and buffering climactic extremes. To preserve the character and vitality of Blowing Rock, it is important that we protect and enhance the natural environment that is an essential element of our community.

2.2. Recycling and resource recovery programs, whether public or private, shall be encouraged and supported.

2.8. Develop regulatory tools to protect and preserve existing trees from being cut, topped, limbed, or pruned unnecessarily.

Blowing Rock has long been blessed with an abundance of recreation and cultural opportunities. As a resort community, Blowing Rock citizens have come to expect a higher level of recreational and cultural opportunities and have historically supported such activities with strong financial donations, high levels of participation, and donated time. However, Blowing Rock’s recreational and cultural resources serve not only the Town residents, but also act as an amenity to attract visitors to our community.

3.1. Continue to cultivate strong support for cultural opportunities from among the residential, business, and seasonal communities, as well as the Town government.

3.2. Continue to promote the establishment of year-round cultural opportunities.

3.5. The Town should continually update the Master Plan for all community parks and recreational facilities.

3.6. Continue to cultivate strong support for recreational opportunities from among the residential and business communities, as well as the Town government.

3.16. Adopt policies to preserve and promote the proper use of and public access to national forests and national parks where appropriate.

Blowing Rock is a resort community that is dependent upon travel and tourism to maintain its economic vitality. The quaint shops, the historic churches, the stone walls, the rustic cottages and manor houses, the lush parks, the wooded hillsides, and the mountain vistas all contribute to the lure of Blowing Rock. It is essential that the commercial elements of Blowing Rock be supported and maintained, in conjunction with the protection and enhancement of the other elements that contribute to the unique character of the community.

Mission Statement: To support and maintain the economic vitality of the community.

4.1. The Town shall protect and enhance a high quality of life, image, cultural amenities, and natural beauty as the most effective, long-term component of an economic development strategy.

Blowing Rock has been blessed with enlightened and visionary elected officials and board members as well as dedicated and professional town employees. Blowing Rock residents are generally satisfied with the services that they receive from "Town Hall". In the Vision 2000 survey, more than 64% of the respondents agreed with the statement that "In general, the Blowing Rock Town government operates efficiently and effectively." Only 10% of the respondents disagreed with that statement.

To preserve and enhance the character and quality of Blowing Rock, it is important to build upon the base of solid municipal services that presently exists and to modify those services as necessary to serve the changing needs of the community.

5.B.3. Develop an additional raw water supply in the Middle Fork of the New River.

5.D.1. Household hazardous waste disposal has been identified as a problem. The Town should provide an opportunity each year for the proper disposal of this waste.

Blowing Rock is similar to other North Carolina mountain communities, in that it has varying road widths, slopes, and conditions. Many collector roads serving the residential neighborhoods are very narrow with little if no roadside shoulder. These collector roads have blind curves and driveways, steep driveway access points, and other substandard sight distance problems. In most cases, there is no land available for making adjustments to the road widths or sight clearance. In contrast, newly developed roads are built to more acceptable Town standards where safety and durability are emphasized. The road and street inconsistencies pose multiple problems to public works employees trying to maintain the roads and to the citizens that use them.

The Highway 321 Bypass is a major thoroughfare that bisects the town. NCDOT has planned a widening of this route around 2008 to 2010. The impacts of this road construction will be felt throughout the community and region. The Town Council, staff, advisory boards, and citizens will be instrumental during the planning efforts of this widening project.

Transportation also includes parking and alternative transportation. Parking is an issue that concerns all citizens in Blowing Rock as well as those who come to visit.

The manner in which a pedestrian moves from one place to the other is very important. The Town’s sidewalk system and pedestrian crossings should be safe and efficient. Designations of pedestrian crosswalks should be consistent throughout Town.

The Town of Blowing Rock is fortunate to have cooperative local governments in the area that are willing to assist each other. Watauga County, Caldwell County, the Town of Boone, smaller towns such as Seven Devils, and Beech Mountain, and the High Country Council of Governments all provide essential administrative support and service assistance for the Town of Blowing Rock. The Town provides mutual benefits such as building inspections, manpower, facilities, and other assistance to these municipalities and counties, as well. Appalachian State University provides the knowledge and expertise of a comprehensive, regional university. The Blue Ridge Parkway and the National Park Service surround two-thirds of the Town’s boundary and provide recreational opportunities for the area. Blowing Rock is located in a unique area that offers support from local, state, and federal governments as well as private service-oriented organizations.

7.1. Continue cooperation between the Town and adjacent counties and municipalities to ensure orderly growth and development, and the protection of scenic and natural assets throughout the area.

The following pages list priorities identified as action statements found in the proceeding chapters. The priorities listed are only those that result in an action being taken, whether it is the development of a general plan or capital improvement plan, or the adoption of a policy, resolution, or ordinance regulation. Each action statement is categorized by a reference number found in the text, the type of action, and which board or town department will have a responsibility in accomplishing the task. The Action Plan is divided into two time periods. Most of the action statements are scheduled within the first five years, while others will be addressed within years 6 to10. Note that some actions listed in the "0-5 Year Action Plan" are already near completion, or are actively being implemented at the time this Comprehensive Plan was drafted. A tentative schedule is provided for each of the Action Plans—"0-5 Year Action Plan" and "6-10 Year Action Plan".

Each year, the Planning Board and Town Council will use the Action Plan as a checklist of what has been accomplished in the previous year. The Comprehensive Plan should be a working document and should be updated periodically as determined by the Planning Board and Town Council. When it is evident that some actions will take longer than expected, those actions should be moved to later years during the annual progress review of the Action Plan.