Newspapers / The Chowan Herald (Edenton, … / Feb. 27, 2019, edition 1 / Page 3
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THE CHOWAN HERALD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27,2019 3A BALLANCE Former N.C. Rep. Frank Ballance dies at 77 The Associated Press RALEIGH — Services are this week for North Caro lina Democratic politician Frank Ballance, who served briefly in Congress and later went to federal prison for activities related to a chari table organization. Family spokesman Carl ton Pressley confirmed on Monday that Ballance died Feb. 22 at a Raleigh hospi tal, said he did not survive after undergoing a proce dure there. He was 77. Ballance served over two decades in the state House and Senate, rising to the No. 2 post in the Senate cham ber. He was elected to North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District seat in 2002, but re signed in June 2004, citing ill health. Ballance pleaded guilty later that year to con spiring to divert taxpayer money to his family and others through a foundation he helped start while at the General Assembly. Prosecutors said Bal lance, during his time at the legislature, channeled $2.3 million in state money to the John A. Hyman Memorial Foundation, created to help low-income people fight drug and alcohol abuse. Bal lance then diverted some of that money from its intend ed purpose, according to authorities, giving some of it to his children and to share with his mother for commu nity programs. Ballance left prison in See BALLANCE, 6A RENTAL Continued from 1A Town Hall, the ordinance has several purposes: 1. To clearly define short- term rentals 2. To clearly identify where short-term rentals are permitted 3. To establish basic safety regulations for visitors rent ing short-term properties 4. To reduce the liability of the town 5. To protect neighbor hoods from unwanted short-term rentals and the problems that arise as a re sult (parties, noise, parking, dogs, trash, etc.) 6. To maintain property values 7. To have a local contact to quickly and effectively ad dress issues that may arise during a rental stay 8. To allow homeowners the opportunity to legally rent their dwelling units where permitted 9. To regulate short-term rentals consistent with au thority given by NC General Statutes. A few takeaways from the council’s questioning/pars- ing of the ordinance include the need for short-term rent al providers to apply for a permit to conduct business, same as hotels or Edenton’s well-known bed and break- fast inns. Records would be re quired and upon request, made available to the local tax office. Permit holders would have to comply with the town’s ordinance regarding the permitting, upkeep and safety requirements associ ated with existing rules that regulate rental properties. For example, that means these places may require additional common sense measures such as additional smoke alarms, carbon diox ide detectors and fire extin guishers. Thus, such places would be subject to inspec tions by code enforcement — same as any other busi ness. Permit holders would be subject penalties or even having their short-term rent al permits revoked. Also, a person operating without a pennit would be subject to penalties. Anyone receiving a per mit may be required to publish a note within this newspaper so as to inform affected property owners and perhaps the neighbor hood about any develop ments regarding short-term rental permitting. While the ordinance is still being tweaked, questions arose as to how many park ing spaces would be permit ted per bedroom - one space per bed or space for three vehicles per bed. On that note, there are occupancy standards that limit the num ber of people allowed to stay in such an establishment. As the ordinance reads, that standard is two persons per bedroom and the maximum number of guests in a short- term rental is limited to 15 persons, excluding children under three years of age. Special events like wed dings or receptions are not permitted. On that note, if the noise gets too loud or something should happen, someone local should be on hand to deal with the matter, not an out-of-town property owner. Though it is hard to sue Town Hall, for damages, the ordinance provides a extra layer to reduce the town’s liability because it can show that it took the measures needed to protect the pub lic’s health and safety. Insurance—not just stan dard home owners insur ance — would be required, potentially a $500,000 pol icy or maybe more cover age. Questions arose as to whether there would be a sliding scale. Would some one renting a bedroom from time to time have to provide the same amount of coverage as someone with a giant house with seven bed- rooms? On that note as to seven bedrooms, no longer would someone with a giant house be allowed to put seven locks on bedrooms doors, as a hypothetical example, and call themselves a hotel. In the weeks ahead, more ink will be spread on these pages as this proposed ordi nance evolves. On a related note as to rental properties, Chowan County Tax Administrator Melissa Radke gave coun cil a presentation about the county’s efforts to register rental property owners and collect 5 percent occupancy taxes not only from tradi tional rentals but Airbnb type places. Radke said rental prop erty owners are required to register their property or face penalties that may in clude a forced assessment of $1,000. Radke said currently, the county is aware of 32 prop- erties’for use as traditional or short-term rentals. Twenty short-term rentals are listed and rent through Airbnb. Of those, the county only has received informa tion from three. Radke contends that while it is difficult to locate such places, the county has done- some “sleuthing” to discover where these places exist. Of the five bed and break- fast inns, four are paying occupancy taxes with the county reaching out to the fifth, no success thus far. “We always welcome new patients.” COMFORT • QUALITY ♦ EXPERIENCE Modern Dentistry in a relaxed environment for the entire family. All three hotels are paying occupancy taxes. Radke said the county is seeking a fair and equitable approach to tax collection. If a rental property isn’t registered with the county’s tax office, Radke assures folks that they will locate these properties, ask proper ty owners to register and to start submitting the proper paperwork needed to collect occupancy taxes. Due to space constraints, more about Monday’s meet ing will be appear in next week’s edition of the Chow an Herald. PLANT Continued from 1A to invest $1.1 million in the renovation project, accord ing to a press release from N.C. Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland. The grant was one of 11 totaling $4.1 million the RIA awarded to local govern ments in the state Feb. 21. Six of those grants were for projects using Building Re use program funds. Michael Reardon, found er of Daedalus, said the company appreciated the grant and the community’s support. “We are very thankful for all of the help and sup port we have received from The Town of Edenton, Mayor Roland Vaughn, The Edenton Chowan partner ship, Small Business and Technology Development Center, State Economic de velopment team, State Sec retary of Commerce, Tony Copeland as well as Kenny Flowers, the Governor Roy Cooper, the Small Business & Technology Develop ¬ ment Center at Elizabeth City University,” he said. “We are very grateful for the opportunity to expand our factory along with our team. We look forward to continuing to thrive and grow our business and our community in the town of Edenton.” Edenton Mayor Roland Vaughan said the town was “thrilled to get the good news” the grant had been awarded and that Daedalus will be creating 50 new jobs in Chowan County. “It was truly a collabora tive effort with the town, county and the Edenton Chowan Partnership stick ing together and working with the Department of Commerce to get the grant approved,” he said. “(Found er) Michael Reardon and his Daedalus team are commit ted to Edenton and we are delighted we could assist them in getting the grant ap proved.” According to Commerce officials, the RIA grants will help create a total of 153 new jobs and spur more than $69 million in private investment in rural commu nities like Edenton. “With the projects ap proved today, rural areas of North Carolina have new re sources to help attract jobs, support business expansion and prepare sites for future development,” Assistant Commerce Secretaiy Kenny Flowers said. “The Rural Economic Development Di vision at Commerce and the Rural Infrastructure Author ity work closely with lead ers in rural communities to facilitate opportunities for economic growth.” AL B E MARL E DENTAL ASSOCIATES (jenetal and Cosmetic Cbentistly DR. 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The Chowan Herald (Edenton, N.C.)
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