Work begins on Article 25: mountain ridge overlays

The Polk County Planning Board has begun discussing how the county can protect its mountain ridge tops through Article 25 of the proposed unified development ordinance (UDO).

The planning board met Thursday, Nov. 8 and decided to begin by mapping the county’s ridge tops to determine which peaks will be included in the new article.

Polk County Attorney Mike Egan suggested the county mirror what nearby Lake Lure has done.

Egan said Lake Lure’s approach is fairly minimal and simple with the town creating zones or districts. Egan said Polk County could identify those ridges and have the regulations take effect 300 feet on each side of the ridge, or whatever distance the county chooses.

Egan explained that Lake Lure’s regulations include wording that the building in the zone should be located so its visibility has minimal impact and includes that at least half of the vegetation remain. Lake Lure also decided to regulate roof forms as well, Egan said, with the rooflines aligning with the ridge itself, but said Polk County could choose whether or not to include regulating roofs.