at Bear Paw Resort 200 Dean Aldrich Dr. Murphy, NC 28906 (828) 644-5451

Mountain View Marina Condominiums

Background Information

1. Public Restrooms no more portable toilets.
2. Enhanced recreation opportunities we plan to add a swim platform, peddle boats and canoes for use in our cove.
3. Expanded parking more paved parking
4. Marine waste pump-out station servicing all houseboats on lake Hiwassee to help improve the health of our lake.
5. Shoreline stabilization to prevent further deterioration of our shoreline.
6. Covered picnic areas to escape the mid-summer sun.
7. New Store a new marina store with room for more necessities.
8. Lodging giving out of town customers a convenient place to stay.

To finance these improvements, Mountain View Marina is asking the community for some help. We are not asking for money, in fact our proposal will increase the service district budget by more than $10,000 per year. We are asking for a change in our commercial zoning classification that will allow us to more quickly realize a return on our investment and finance these improvements. Mountain View Marina is requesting a zoning change of the Eastern shoreline of our property from its current C-1 commercial zoning to a new multi-family residential zoning classification. Mountain View Marina plans to build two condominium buildings with five units each, overlooking the main channel of the lake. The condominiums will be privately owned, most will be two bedroom two bath units that will be priced somewhere in the neighborhood of $175,000 and up. It is expected that most of the units will be sold to owners other than the marina. Mountain View Marina may rent some of the units on a weekly basis while they are waiting to be sold and may choose to retain ownership of some of the units as a long-term investment. The condominiums will share the expanded parking facilities with the marina and they will form their own condominium association. They will remain inside the service district and will pay the service district tax.

If we are not allowed to rezone, we will have no choice but to develop the property commercially. Our current zoning classification allows three uses:

1. Marina related services we believe this includes commercial lodging, a common service at many marinas and this would be our first preference if not allowed to rezone.
2. Boat repair and/or storage facility this would be our only feasible option if we are not allowed to rezone and not allowed to provide lodging.
3. Restaurant we dont believe this to be a feasible option. We dont have the space and we dont believe the community has the traffic to support this alternative.

Unfortunately there has been a lot of misinformation floating around about this project so I will attempt to put that to rest:

1. There will be NO apartments.
2. There will be NO motel.

This will be a quiet condominium community probably occupied by people you already know who want to come to Bear Paw, enjoy their boat on our lake and not have to mow their grass, clean their gutters or rake leaves. If you have any questions about this proposal please feel free to email me at rsoph@mountainviewmarina.com or call me here at the marina (828) 644-5451.

Sincerely,
Russ Soph
Mountain View Marina

Rezoning Presentation - 9/13/2003

Rezoning Presentation - 8/15/2003