Northwest Observer Forums > Closed Topics > Previous Topics > What do you think about the appearances of Stokesdale?
Northwest Observer Forums > Closed Topics > Previous Topics > What do you think about the appearances of Stokesdale? |
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ervinjo Member
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I am often taken aback with the disregard our community has for its appearance. Litter and debris are strewn along roadsides and business property. Abandoned and burnt-out buildings are allowed to remain. Private and commercial properties are allowed to become over grown with vines/weeds and over run with waste, junk and debris. Even when trying to be SOLD, there is no attempt to maintain properties in the town. What kind of statement does this make about our community? IS this part of the "country-appeal" of the community? Will this attract the type of citizens and business we want/need to remain viable? I believe not, and would like to think most community members don't think so. I feel this ties directly to my other statements about planning and organized community growth. Now is the time for our community to establish ordinances regulating how new development will look. The types of materials used, size limits, structure, maintenance, locations and clear methods of correction and recourse. To ignore these matters will ensure development of all types, materials and "looks" to be situated among the older developments of various states of disrepair and "looks". The picture painted is not pretty. This is not what I would like to see for this community. But this IS what will happen if not addressed sooner than later. Our community needs forward thinking leaders and community property owners who will ensure our community"s property values and protect the rights of property owners from the disregard and thoughtlessness of others, who's values are questionable. |
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macca Member 
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What can we do to change the way things are? |
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ervinjo Member
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I believe the town council must be made aware that the community is having this dialogue. IF in fact the community IS having this dialogue. One post on a discussion board may not constitute a dialogue. Once the council is aware, voters may elect or reelect based on the council member's performance. |
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bama80 Member 
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The Forum needs to grow. More people need to be made aware of it. There was a half page ad in the NW Obs. this week but it would help to tell your friends etc about it and get the topics going. Also, I have submitted feedback to Patti and she was glad to hear them and pass them on. If anyone else has comments/improvements for the site, she seems very willing to accept them. Roll Tide Roll!  |
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DToney Member 
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Is there a way to get rid of the burned out building by county ordinance? It is an eye-sore! Also, what is the building beside the Bi-Rite used for? It seems too small to be used for much..... |
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ff12 Member 
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i think it is extra storage for Bi- Rite, it was Blackburn Ins, service at one time, and i think a fabric store? run by DA Jones' wife who lived in the Big white house next door |
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yoleader Member
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DToney wrote Jan. 24th : I"s there a way to get rid of the burned out building by county ordinance? It is an eye-sore!" It's my recollection that this bulding is owned by an private individual. While it does dull the downtown landscape, I'm not sure that the Town is legally enabled to any remedy based on asthetics. I think that an issue of public health or safety would be another matter. I believe that TC has discussed to some degree the possibility of purchasing the property, but I think there are concerns about environmental liability, since the site used to be a gas station. I think it would be a great place for a small downtown park/commons. |
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DToney Member
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If it were a gas station, wonder if is there any law dealing with ground water contamination that we could get funds for "clean-up" of the area... like the underground tanks that plagued the mom & pop gas stations years ago? |
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Waytago Member 
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DToney wrote: If it were a gas station, wonder if is there any law dealing with ground water contamination that we could get funds for "clean-up" of the area... like the underground tanks that plagued the mom & pop gas stations years ago? Not completely sure, but I think you're referring to having the site designated as a "Superfund" site. It's something the EPA cooked up years ago, to get contaminated sites "defined", supposedly to get government funding to clean up the sites. I'm not an expert on this subject, but I read in the Wall Street Journal about 6 months ago, the Government has done it's normal job of totally screwing up the Superfund program. The sites get designated, there is so much government red tape & bureaucracy, the actual cleanup work seldom gets done, and most of the money is flowing to the lawyers. Once it gets designated Superfund, nobody can touch it without government permission, but the government won't give permission. |
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DToney Member
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more.... bureaucracy! should've figured!!  |
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bama80 Member
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this is a theoretical proposal you are talking about, supposing that it would even qualify. I dont think waytago is saying that it is currently happening with this piece of property. |
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plumbobbed Member
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I believe you're correct, bama. The place to begin would, I believe, be the regional office of DENR in Winston-Salem, NC. It's my understanding that the site has been identified as contaminated, & may even have monitoring wells. |
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bama80 Member
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Things must all be sunshine and rainbows in stokesdale. this place has been uninhabited for weeks now. Anything new goin on? |
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zippitydoodah Member
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Could be the calm before the storm. |
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DToney Member
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What can be done about the trash and overall appearance of the section between the Bi-Rite and Oak Level Church Road? The trash beside the road is awful looking! Is there a community organization or church group that would be willing to "adopt" that section for trash pickup? There is also a good many trees down on that lot where a tornado came through. Is there ever going to be any development on that lot? It would seem to be a prime piece of land in the heart of the town if a developer were interested. There is a great deal of traffic comming up 158 and 65 - especially large transfer trucks. Has anyone any thoughts on this?  |
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ervinjo Member
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DToney wrote: What can be done about the trash and overall appearance of the section between the Bi-Rite and Oak Level Church Road? The trash beside the road is awful looking! Is there a community organization or church group that would be willing to "adopt" that section for trash pickup? My wife and I were trying to establish an "Adopt a Highway" group with the local Church we were attending at the time. The idea wasn't all that well recepted. Thee was never any direct opposing to the idea, but no one was eager to help get it going either. Also, the church was concerned about the adopt-a-highway signs ,with the church's name on it, being in a "promenent" part of the area, where it would get high visability. I really wanted to just clean up the area and hoped that someone, or a group of someones showing pride in the land may rub off on others. |
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ff12 Member
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Now that we have the town scenei corridor rules does that mean that Morton buildings that are some of the best looking new construction available and other types of steel biuldings are not allowed, or doesthe landowner have to build the stupid looking berms with trees on them to hide them? If we are looking to "maintain" our rural look then the berms and screening are some of the first things that need to go. Has anyone driven down Haw River rd., those berms look more big city like than country, maybe they are a way to keep people out and not look in the back windows of those that live on the side of the road. |
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ervinjo Member
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ff12 wrote: Now that we have the town scenic corridor rules does that mean that Morton buildings that are some of the best looking new construction available and other types of steel buildings are not allowed, or does the landowner have to build the stupid looking berms with trees on them to hide them? If we are looking to "maintain" our rural look then the berms and screening are some of the first things that need to go. Has anyone driven down Haw River rd., those berms look more big city like than country, maybe they are a way to keep people out and not look in the back windows of those that live on the side of the road. I'll take the look of Haw River (the landscaped berms) over the unkept look of some parts of our community. I'd rather not look onto the likes of Stokesdale Heating and cooling and the other businesses along that side of HWY 158. EYE SORES!!!!!!! I've never seen such disregard for/ lack of pride in appearances. I believe a hard look at what the terms, "rural look", mean is warranted |
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ff12 Member
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Well you have a very valid point. Our council should be able to encourage them to clean up the place. Of course the building is so old maybe it will fall or be saved for historic reasons.(Mcd's with a playplace there would be good) |
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ff12 Member
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Still do not like the berms. |
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DToney Member
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It is not only the Haw River area... take a look at the end of Main Street that is near 158! Not only is that old gas station there but there is also the entire end of the store front section that looks bad too.... Someone needs to do something, even if it is just paint it! Talk about an eyesore! There has got to be something that town council or the owner or SOMEONE can do to improve the looks of that section of town. I know what you mean about the terminology "rural look".... c'mon now... we have to have a divide of "rural look" and "eyesore".... I grew up in a community that "wanted to keep (the town) just the way it is" to the detriment of the community. It is now a drug infested, government supported, wasteland. We need to get some people involved in getting a good growth plan that will allow good growth without it being detrimental. (Sorry... one of my band-wagon sessions....) |
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macca Member
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So, DToney, what kind of response have you gotten from Town Council when you've addressed this issue with them? ♥♥♥ |
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ervinjo Member
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ff12 wrote: Well you have a very valid point. Our council should be able to encourage them to clean up the place. Of course the building is so old maybe it will fall or be saved for historic reasons.(Mcd's with a playplace there would be good) ff12 I think we have a divide of opinions that can't be bridged. I fail to understand how a McD's with a play place can be considered rural in appearance. Berms, no berms I basically have a problem with unkept, trashy, hodge-podge buildings/building materials. Landscaping that is well planned and maintained will win me over any day. |
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ff12 Member
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I guess i am including it in the area of Lowes,Culp Inc., Terminix, Strip Offices(instead of strip malls,do not know which is worse). That is why I said what i did about McD's and can't we hide it behind the natural looking berms. To me a better look would be to use the natural lay of the land and native plants trees etc. A majority of the berms have the fast growing cedars and other fast growing plant species. I understand that the faster it grows the better to hide , but also the faster something grows the weaker it is. Just wondering, was there a big uproar when Burlington Ind. first built here? |
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DToney Member
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I actually E-mailed each of them... and invited them to tune into our forum! There is some good insight here from our citizens that maybe they do not get from other means. |
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ff12 Member
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As far as the new scenic corridor rules there are very few open areas of land left that is visible from the highway. When this was an Ag District, people built houses next to the road so they could preserve the best farmland behind the houses because that was most profitable. If you are from here you will probably realize that most all development has been off of the major highways and behind what was already there. Furthemore most of the scenic corridors have looked the same for 25 years with the exception of hwy 158 fromm daycare to Parkers. |
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DToney Member
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what is it with the commode in front of that little store beside bi-rite? ewwww! |
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ervinjo Member
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DToney wrote: what is it with the commode in front of that little store beside bi-rite? ewwww!I thought that's what most in the area considered the "rural" charm of Stokesdale! lol Surely your not suggesting that it's inappropriate |
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macca Member
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ervinjo wrote:DToney wrote:what is it with the commode in front of that little store beside bi-rite? ewwww!I thought that's what most in the area considered the "rural" charm of Stokesdale! lol Surely your not suggesting that it's inappropriate "surely" you'd both agree this is not typical of Stokesdale...♥♥♥ |
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ervinjo Member
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macca wrote: ervinjo wrote:No, I would have to say it is typical. I would say it's a symbol of all of those who fight the Scenic Corridor and the very idea that there should be any protocol for the appearance of a Township at all. |
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ff12 Member
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I do not want junk sitting around everywhere either, there needs to be more maybe someone should ask why the toilet is there and maybe they would move it. That still does not in my opinion allow others to enforce their will on property owners who have decided to hold their property as is until they feel it is time to sell, develop, farm it, commercially develop itor leave it natural. Those that work odd hours are left out of the decisions anyway. Those that are not financially at the top but own some small amount of land with setback rules can'tdo much with it. In conclusion we should be working toward less goverment involvement instead of more. Time to get off my soapbox and go to work. I will check out the toilet on my way by Bi Rite. |
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zippitydoodah Member
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macca wrote: I hope it's not typical, but don't call me Shirley... |
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S. Smith Moderator
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I'm trying to figure out where you come down on the scenic corridor issue. Do I understand that ff12 is against it and ervinjo is for it? |
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ervinjo Member
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Ervinjo is for it. Anything to help the township's appearances and help with economic development is welcome in my book. |
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ervinjo Member
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ff12 wrote: I do not want junk sitting around everywhere either, there needs to be more maybe someone should ask why the toilet is there and maybe they would move it. That still does not in my opinion allow others to enforce their will on property owners who have decided to hold their property as is until they feel it is time to sell, develop, farm it, commercially develop itor leave it natural. Those that work odd hours are left out of the decisions anyway. Those that are not financially at the top but own some small amount of land with setback rules can'tdo much with it. In conclusion we should be working toward less goverment involvement instead of more. Time to get off my soapbox and go to work. I will check out the toilet on my way by Bi Rite.I do understand your point of view. Individuals who are not able to participate in voting or other committee involvement should be able to employ proxy voting or other such means to facilitate their participation. The lack of doing so would allow for the feeling of being slighted or overlooked. The conservative stance of less government involvement is short sighted and not at all practicle in this day and age. |
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Vicki White-Lawrence Member 
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ervinjo wrote:ff12 wrote:I do not want junk sitting around everywhere either, there needs to be more maybe someone should ask why the toilet is there and maybe they would move it. That still does not in my opinion allow others to enforce their will on property owners who have decided to hold their property as is until they feel it is time to sell, develop, farm it, commercially develop itor leave it natural. Those that work odd hours are left out of the decisions anyway. Those that are not financially at the top but own some small amount of land with setback rules can'tdo much with it. In conclusion we should be working toward less goverment involvement instead of more. Time to get off my soapbox and go to work. I will check out the toilet on my way by Bi Rite.I do understand your point of view. Individuals who are not able to participate in voting or other committee involvement should be able to employ proxy voting or other such means to facilitate their participation. The lack of doing so would allow for the feeling of being slighted or overlooked. The conservative stance of less government involvement is short sighted and not at all practicle in this day and age. Changes to ordinances require public hearings, which must be advertised a certain legal way by the town. These are run at least twice prior to the hearing. In most cases, the Northwest Observer also runs a listing of upcoming public hearings. Residents are given time to speak in favor of or in opposition to what is being considered. People who are not able to attend the hearings could send in written comments and ask that they be given to Council and incorporated into the minutes. Correspondence could be sent to the town via the postal system, dropped off at town hall or via e-mails to Council members. I would also include the town clerk in the e-mail since she is the one who puts together all of the information for the meetings. It seems that Council members are also receptive to citizens calling them to express their opinions. In terms of not being able to participate because of unusual hours, some committees meet during the day. Anyone interested in serving on committees could fill out an application at town hall. Hope this helps! |
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S. Smith Moderator
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Thanks for the explanation, Vicki. A scenic corridor doesn't mean you can't use your land. Just certain things would not be allowed. Now, you would have a pretty good setback for building a structure, and certain materials might not be allowed. I believe the corridor width in Stokesdale is 900 ft. In Oak Ridge and Summerfield, it is 1,500 ft. Generally things like billboards are not allowed in a scenic corridor. Since she is more familiar with Stokesdale's new ordinance, maybe Vicki could explain more specifically what is allowed. |
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zippitydoodah Member
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Do you really want people to be able to have a toilet sitting in their yard where everybody can see it???? I don't want the "Scenic Coridor Police" knocking on everybody's door telling people what they can and cant have, but come on. Stokesdale doesn't want to be known as Podunkville..... You might see it was Big Brother Government stepping in even more, telling what we can and cant do in our own yards. I see it as trying to keep the main roads thru the town attractive and scenic. |
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DToney Member
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This reminds me of my old neighborhood & their "covenance" that was about 3" thick! We were supposed to get approval from an "architechual committee" to plant seasonal flowers or trees! Talk about "Big Brother".... there were so many rules I didn't feel that my property was actually mine. I am not in favor of too much government just for these reasons. |
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ff12 Member
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Thank's to Vickie for letting me in on some of the ways participation was possible without being there in person. I appreciate it. Wouldn't public nuisance laws prevent toilets in yards and health dept rules take care junk sitting around ie;mosquito breeding? I am not a contractor so I do not know the answer but doesn't building codes cover enough, surely you can't build a shack to live in these days. |
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ervinjo Member
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DToney wrote: This reminds me of my old neighborhood & their "covenance" that was about 3" thick! We were supposed to get approval from an "architechual committee" to plant seasonal flowers or trees! Talk about "Big Brother".... there were so many rules I didn't feel that my property was actually mine. I am not in favor of too much government just for these reasons. In these situations you are made aware of the Restrictive Covenants prior to the purchase of the property. These covenants are in the best interest of the home owners and help each owner by protecting their investments. This is a very good comparison to what the scenic corridor would be trying to provide for this area. |
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Vicki White-Lawrence Member
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I'll be glad to address Stokesdale's Scenic Corridor portion of its development ordinance. It was originally proposed as part of the Future Land Use Plan for the town. A citizen group, representing all areas of the town, was appointed by Council and worked on the Plan for nearly 2 years before presenting it to Town Council. Council adopted it in September 2001, although the Scenic Corridor restrictions were not enacted until this spring. Council members had discussed them before but had not adopted them because of opposition presented at meetings. This spring another citizen committee was appointed by Council to review the Stokesdale ordinances and it again recommended the Scenic Corridor be addressed. The Scenic Corridor is along the major roads that go through Stokesdale -- Highways 158, 68 and 65. A small portion of Highway 220 is also included. The corridor itself is a 900 foot area on either side of the road, measured from the center line of the road. Basically the ordinance says that building materials in the scenic corridor (or at least the portion of the building visible from the road) must be brick, stone, wood or some other natural material. The same goes for fences. Signs cannot be more than 6 feet high or measure more than 50 square feet total. These ordinances apply only to new development, so farmland and buildings already in existence aren't affected as long as they are left as they are. Fencing requirements aren't applied to farmland either. In addition to building materials, the ordinance addresses placement of such things as gas pumps and drive-thru windows -- they must be at the rear of buildings. There are also requirements about providing buffers around buildings using plants. All of this is to make the entire area more attractive and should help enhance the area. If anyone has a complaint about an area, they can file that complaint with Town Hall. Once the complaint is received, an enforcement officer from Guilford County would contact the property owner and issue citations as needed. This includes abandoned vehicles, parking commercial vehicles in residential areas, and would certainly include a bathroom fixture in a yard, I would think. Neighbors may sometimes think they just have to tolerate some of these things when all it might take is making an official complaint about it. During some recent comments from residents attending a Council meeting, it seems that there are some residents who are operating commercial businesses in residential areas. Neighbors of some of these indicated they planned to issue official complaints. Sometimes it's just a matter of making the right people aware of what is going on. |
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ff12 Member
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A metal building (think Morton buildings) are some of the best looking buildings being built today. Metal is a natural material , it comes from the ground , just as bricks come from sand. So do we ban brick houses or do we allow metal buildings? What if someone wanted to build chicken , turkey, or hog houses , most of these are metal and wood? I only bring this up because some do not want any more home development, leave it agriculture and/or rural. Besides you can make a living on less land with that type of ag. development. Last edited on Jul 1st, 2006 02:25 pm by ff12 |
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S. Smith Moderator
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I'm not sure about your interpretation of metal buildings, ff12. Besides, as I'm understanding it, it's not that necessarily that you can't have it, but it can't be seen from the road. Again, Vicki (or somebody more knowledgable than me) will probably need to address this, but could you have a metal building, provided that something camouflages it from the road? (i.e., a wooden privacy fence, landscaping, etc. Of course, we might get into the "berms vs. no berms" argument again, but that's okay.) |
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Vicki White-Lawrence Member
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Sandra, I think you are right. It is my understanding that it could be a metal building as long as other conditions are met. This means a change in the facade every so many feet as well as using something to shield it from view from the road. |
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S. Smith Moderator
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I'm also thinking that you might actually be able have a metal building if it had a brick facade. This might not be true if you could see the sides or back of the building from the scenic corridor. |
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DToney Member
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Now a days metal buildings are more appealing than those several years ago... and would not last long before beginning to show rust. they are "new & improved" versions now that look as good as other types. It is the upkeep factor a lot of times... lack of lawn maintenance & trash that in my opinion that makes a place look so bad! |
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ff12 Member
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Happy 4th everyone. Isn't it great we have the freedom to even be able to "discuss" problems such as these!!!!!!!! Can anyone truly say that the Morton buildings being put up today are not attractive. There are other brands that are more cost concious but have the same good looks . Just look at all the ones that have gone up recently in the NW area, they look better than some of "natural" structures that are here already. Metal is made from iron ore dug from the ground and put through a furnace to refine it and then pressed or rolled into shape. Brick is made from red clay dug from our surronding areas sand is added then it is fire in a furnace and cut into bricks. Sounds really close to each other to me. Lets remember our forefathers who gave up everything including their lives after they signed the Declartion Of Independence. I for one appreciate their sacrifice so I can be free. |
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macca Member
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I agree, ff12. We are indeed fortunate to have the opportunity to have these discussions! Maybe we'll attract some more participants once folks realize we're just trying to share info and maybe a little entertainment! Thank you, Northwest Observer, for making hte forum available to us! Thank you, everyone who's participating for sharing your knwoledge with us all! ♥♥♥ ff12: I'm not sure I know what a "morton building" is? |
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DToney Member
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Happy Independence Day!! Everyone! This is truly one of our FREEDOMs that some folks take for granted!! I for one am proud to be an AMERICAN!!  |
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ff12 Member
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A "Morton" building is a brand of metal buildings. I do not know if they were the first or not but they have the best reputation. There is one on Hwy.68 near Peeples Rd. on the left (coming from Gboro) and one on the rt. just before Alcorn Rd. The building behind the fire station is a Morton also. They definetly look better than cinder block buildings (cinder blocks could also qualify as natural material.) I just found out on Monday a stat NC leads the nation in for 2005; we had the greatest amount of lost farmland in the US.(info from the July issue of the Agriculture Review,Steve Troxler Comm. of Ag. NC and resident in Brown Summit) |
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macca Member
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I just rode by Bi-Rite -- THE TOILET'S GONE!!! Anyone know what happened???? |
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DToney Member
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macca wrote: I just rode by Bi-Rite -- THE TOILET'S GONE!!! Anyone know what happened???? um... er... um.... I would have to take credit for that one! When I went by there yesterday to pick up a few things.... I said to the guy... what is the deal w/the toilet? If you are gonna keep it there, you could at least plant some flowers in it!  hehehe!! Last edited on Jul 10th, 2006 11:06 pm by DToney |
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Vicki White-Lawrence Member
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I went up there today to take a picture of the "fixture" for the paper and David told me he'd been hearing about it being a topic on the forum. Said he'd had to replace one in the store restroom and the old one had been set there. He said they just hadn't gotten it inside the storage building (which is what the building next to Bi-Rite is) until today. He said it was never intended as any kind of "political statement" or anything like that. |
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DToney Member
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I must add that I "mentioned" to the guy yesterday that I had posted on this topic that I had seen a toilet there.... I do not think of it as a political statement at all... they had no clue! |
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Vicki White-Lawrence Member
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ervinjo wrote:macca wrote:ervinjo wrote:No, I would have to say it is typical. I would say it's a symbol of all of those who fight the Scenic Corridor and the very idea that there should be any protocol for the appearance of a Township at all. It seems that some did think that it may have been a commentary on the town ordinances. |
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ff12 Member
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See what happens when the citizens make a simple request to others. in todays hurry up world we do not often think that something as simple as a bathroom fixture set somewhere may "offend" othewrs. knowing David for as long as I have they probably just forgot and got busy with other things . Making a simple request worked. This is much better than loads of regulations. |
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macca Member
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Agreed, ff12, as long as it's your little neighborhood and everyone knows everyone and everyone gets along.... But we all know there are some folks who are NOT going to do it unless they HAVE to.... I'm glad the Town Council finally passed those Scenic Corridor ordinances. Otherwise, we might end up with a hodgepodge of stuff all over the place and it would be too late to do anything about it. This way, we get to continue to enjoy the natural beauty of our area. It's gonna grow, the town is just trying to control the growth. |
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DToney Member
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it is nice when someone realizes and corrects the problem without any "free for all" like I've heard in other towns.... glad we dont have "concerned citizens" that stir stuff... being civil in a civilzed society works! |
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DToney Member
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Did anyone notice... there are trees planted where that one huge tree was... a bunch of them! Looks like about 2 dozen... near the fire house. |
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ff12 Member
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Does anyone remember all of the fuss about Pine Needles LNG Facility being built behind the golf course? Nowadays most people do not even know it exists.Cannot se it from any highway or hear it or smell it.The people that work there couldn't be nicer, a great addition to our town. Thats a large chunk of land that will remain in trees other than what is there now. |
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zippitydoodah Member
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I agree with everything you say, but there's one thing you left out -- what if it somehow one day explodes??? I know the chances of that happening are probably pretty slim, what with new safety precautions and technology and whatnot, but if that were to happen, everybody for miles around would know it was there!! |
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macca Member
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ZIPPY!!! I think this is one of the things everyone chooses to ignore... We hear that there are all kinds of safety procedures in place, and no one wants to talk about it even being there so as to attract as little attention to it as possible by anyone intent on doing harm... ♥♥♥ |
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DToney Member
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ff12 wrote: Does anyone remember all of the fuss about Pine Needles LNG Facility being built behind the golf course? Nowadays most people do not even know it exists.Cannot se it from any highway or hear it or smell it.The people that work there couldn't be nicer, a great addition to our town. Thats a large chunk of land that will remain in trees other than what is there now. I reckon this was b4 my time! (enlightenment appreciated.....) |
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ff12 Member
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you are right everyone would know where it is if the unexpected happened. Majority of the force would be up. Enough land around with no houses to prevent seriopus damage. |
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macca Member
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Really? I thought I'd heard it would do lots more damage than that. Am I right that this was something that was approved by our County Commissioners long before Stokesdale became a town? |
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ff12 Member
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Pretty sure our town was formed and had a hand in it. I know they did because I remember going to the meetings(first sentence jogged my memory). It is a storage facility and the gas is liquified and so it is extremely stable. |
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DToney Member
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What is with the new drywall company on main street? They've painted the storefront PERIWINKLE! |
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macca Member
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The company's not new -- just the paint job.♥♥♥ |
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DToney Member
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macca wrote: The company's not new -- just the paint job.♥♥♥They sure know how to draw attention to themselves... |
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ff12 Member
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Car Quest has a spiffy new paint job also. |
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DToney Member
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it would be nice if all of the main stree awnings were painted the same color... like a dark green or something... some of the store fronts look real nice and then there are the others..... also always wondered why the lamp posts don't go all of the way down the street? They just kinda stop about 1/2 way.. Last edited on Sep 4th, 2006 04:29 pm by DToney |
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Vicki White-Lawrence Member
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DToney, While some folks might like for all of the buildings to be painted one color, others might prefer something like Charleston, SC's "Rainbow Row!" I think some people have the impression that the town owns and controls that property.... In addition to the 25 acres purchased by the town just over two years ago, the town doesn't own anything except the deputy sheriff's patrol car, a generator for the town and some office equipment for town hall. In fact, the beautiful tables that Council members sit behind were crafted and donated to the town by a local resident. Local businesses are run by individuals, not by town officials. Several of the downtown buildings are owned by SouthRich Partners, LLC, who have renovated many of them. They also paid to have the brick sidewalk and the lampposts installed. Owners of other buildings in that area have evidently been approached to get their support for extending the sidewalk and adding more lampposts, but that has not yet happened. As you frequent those businesses, you could certainly express your feelings to them about this, but it is their property and their decision. |
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DToney Member
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it would certainly look more uniform if they all looked alike... or at least similar. |
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macca Member
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Who wants to wear a uniform??? What about being able to express your individuality??  ♥♥♥ |
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DToney Member
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aesthetics aka "curb appeal" |
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Jim Flynt Member
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DToney wrote: it would certainly look more uniform if they all looked alike... or at least similar. I am just curious if you could name any other town in America where commercial properties not under one ownership might meet the development criteria or uniform appearance standard which you seem to suggest? Last edited on Sep 5th, 2006 03:00 am by Jim Flynt |
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DToney Member
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the last 2 towns I lived in had a Main Street Revitialization program and actually dug up the streets, put in lamp posts, fixed the sidewalks, and asked each merchant to tidy up a bit. The results were amazing! Tehy both like a Currier & Ives painting. |
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Jim Flynt Member
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DToney wrote: the last 2 towns I lived in had a Main Street Revitialization program and actually dug up the streets, put in lamp posts, fixed the sidewalks, and asked each merchant to tidy up a bit. The results were amazing! Tehy both like a Currier & Ives painting. Which two towns? |
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DToney Member
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Union, SC & Lexington, SC |
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DToney Member
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these "streetscape" type of projects were going on all over SC when we were there... basically kept the "historic" feel & architecture.... just spruced up a bit... fixed the sidewalks, put in lamp posts & passed building codes where they had to use "historical" colors. results were great! Any project can be costly, but it seems our council watches the bottom line - which is great! A well planned project with good oversight usually ends up less expensive. |
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ff12 Member
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If we kept everything in "downtown" historical would it all be brick and of course red? Would not that be kind of boring, kind of like all the cookie cutter developement where all the houses are basically the same. Someone needs to build some nice Italian villas, or a castle(I think there is one in Dorsett Downs). Saw in that other weekly real esstate section a developer who was building"country farmhouses in his development". None looked like farmhouses I am used to seeing . Of course my parents farmhouse was actually a ranch style, not a cowboy around. |
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DToney Member
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not necessarily boring... you can have character without boredom. |
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ff12 Member
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why does it seem most people come out against affordable housing,ie.; 1500 sq. feet or less. Most people I know are already priced out oF OR and Summerfield and Stokesdale is getting that way. How often we here of the triad being a place to raise a family, its getting to be where you need to move to Rock. or Forsyth counties to find affordable housing. |
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ff12 Member
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Reference to the construction at 68 & Haw River, If there ever was a need for one of my big dislikes, the natural look dirt berms with trees on top would be better. |
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DToney Member
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ff12 wrote: why does it seem most people come out against affordable housing,ie.; 1500 sq. feet or less. Most people I know are already priced out oF OR and Summerfield and Stokesdale is getting that way. How often we here of the triad being a place to raise a family, its getting to be where you need to move to Rock. or Forsyth counties to find affordable housing.I would have to agree with your comment! When we moved up here last year, we could not find something around 1800 sq ft, not in a development, & affordable! Dang if I want a huge house for 3 people! I guess I'm too practical..... |
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