Harvey questions council before meeting

TO THE EDITOR:

Citizens have been hearing lately that Valdese is “back on track,” but to what destination?

In 2025, Valdese closed the fiscal year with record general fund reserves of $8.1 million — 125% of annual expenses — after implementing two consecutive 20% property-tax cuts from what had been the highest rate in Burke County.

This reserve level surpasses those of comparable towns like Granite Falls (120%), Long View (61%), and Maiden (38%).

But 2026 tells a different story. Seven months into the fiscal year, no year-to-date financial results have been reported.

Project management is struggling: a $94,000 contract approved in March to install a concrete footer by September for the new pool cover is now four months behind schedule, with costs rising to over $300,000.

In January, the council approved a special-use permit, despite citizens’ objections, allowing up to 40 vehicles to back onto Pineburr Avenue SE.

Now, at the February meeting that falls on Groundhog Day, critical issues seem hidden in a groundhog hole labeled “consent agenda.”

Consent agendas are a parliamentary tool meant for routine items — not for financial or other significant decisions.

In 2024, a Morganton resident remodeled a single-family home in Valdese’s business district into a three-unit apartment building. He is not a licensed builder, and neither obtained a construction permit, as required by county and state law, nor met the Valdese zoning requirement of 4.5 off-street parking spaces.

Perhaps emboldened by his 2024 escape from compliance, the individual began constructing a three-story apartment complex in 2025.

When residents who dubbed it “the Crow Hill Skyscraper” notified town officials, it was found to be partially built on a town right-of-way.

The limited building permit Burke County issued for simply “altering an accessory building” led to serious violations of the N.C. Building Code, the N.C. Licensing Board for General Contractors, and the Valdese zoning ordinance.

The town imposed a $50 daily fine to enforce its zoning rules, which, still unpaid, now exceed $10,500.

What could be more one-sided than an agreement where the town can collect the fines it lawfully levies only if it accepts all the violator’s terms?

In this case, the town must give him the property the violator built on, let him have an additional matching parcel for just $500, and quickly approve his subdivision of the combined lot into two building lots.

If the town council rejects any of the terms, the $10,500 held in escrow by the town attorney will be returned to the violator. What, then? Will the fines continue accruing at $50 per day? Will one side of the building, its driveway, porch, and steps remain on town property?

On Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil will make a public weather forecast. Will the Valdese Town Council publicly share this forecast on future enforcement of building codes and zoning regulations?

GLENN HARVEY