Stream erosion threatens Portofino building
by Anna Oakes
The Boone Board of Adjustment on Thursday approved a variance to a Unified Development Ordinance stream disturbance requirement to allow contractors to repair an eroding stream bank under the Café Portofino building downtown.
Although the erosion does not present imminent danger, Conner Boyle of Brushy Fork Environmental Consulting testified that “the stream bank has eroded fairly significantly” around piers that support the restaurant building, which could “jeopardize the structural integrity of the structure.”
The building, owned by Rivers Street Ventures LLC, is more than 100 years old and once served as the original maintenance station for the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad (“Tweetsie”).
The project will disturb approximately 48 linear feet along Boone Creek. The applicants requested a variance to the UDO because it does not permit impacts greater than 10 percent of the overall length of buffer zone.
Boyle said the project would redirect water away from the bank and restore a natural riparian buffer.
Boyle confirmed the project can be completed in about three days and will take place prior to Oct. 15, when laws place a moratorium on any stream activity until April to protect trout during their spawning season.
The board also reconvened an administrative review of a UDO violations appeal from Delta Holdings LLC, which is leasing the Boone Ready-Mix concrete plant on Seven Oaks Road. The review was continued from the July meeting.
The review had not commenced as of presstime.
Although the erosion does not present imminent danger, Conner Boyle of Brushy Fork Environmental Consulting testified that “the stream bank has eroded fairly significantly” around piers that support the restaurant building, which could “jeopardize the structural integrity of the structure.”
The building, owned by Rivers Street Ventures LLC, is more than 100 years old and once served as the original maintenance station for the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad (“Tweetsie”).
The project will disturb approximately 48 linear feet along Boone Creek. The applicants requested a variance to the UDO because it does not permit impacts greater than 10 percent of the overall length of buffer zone.
Boyle said the project would redirect water away from the bank and restore a natural riparian buffer.
Boyle confirmed the project can be completed in about three days and will take place prior to Oct. 15, when laws place a moratorium on any stream activity until April to protect trout during their spawning season.
The board also reconvened an administrative review of a UDO violations appeal from Delta Holdings LLC, which is leasing the Boone Ready-Mix concrete plant on Seven Oaks Road. The review was continued from the July meeting.
The review had not commenced as of presstime.