Beaty at the Board Meeting

BY MELISSA ATHERTON

“We don’t have much of this left. It’s our last chance.”
- Commissioner David Sitton referring to town-owned land on Beaty Street

The Board of Commissioners, Mayor Rusty Knox, and Town Manager Jamie Justice discussed the nineteen-acres of town-owned land on Beaty Street last night in their informal meeting. They agreed there needs to be a citizen-led task force, but did not agree about who should be on the committee. Commissioners Matt Fort, David Sitton and Autumn Michael all pushed to have two commissioners participate, while Commissioner Jane Campbell stressed the importance of keeping the task force citizen-led. Fort stated that Sitton would be a vital part of the process, given his past involvement in preserving the land for a park. Mayor Knox expressed desire for town staff to be a driving force. “We will have staff on the task force. We need people who are articulate in what we do day in and day out,” said Knox.

The Beaty property was a hot topic during the 2017 municipal election season. Despite overwhelming opposition, the previous board voted to approve a developer’s plan for a hotel, condos, retail and restaurants on the Beaty land. Citizen activists claimed that Venie Clontz sold the land to the town over thirty years ago with the promise that it would be a park. The activists were concerned about the lack of public involvement. Elected officials terminated the “Luminous Plan” in September 2017; there was no mention of an independent appraisal that proved the land was possibly worth three times the Luminous price.

Who will be on the task force? Who will decide the task force composition? Will town staff drive the Beaty-decision bus? Plan to attend the Tuesday, March 13th, Board of Commissioners meeting at 6:00 pm in Davidson Town Hall.

Quotable Moments 

“This is the people’s land.”
 - Commissioner Matthew Fort advocates for the people

“I have a real question about what the original intention was.”
- Commissioner Jim Fuller questions whether the land was intended to be a park

“I want at least one commissioner on the task force.”
- Commissioner Autumn Michael