Town of Black Mountain to align with Buncombe County emergency order
Restaurant capacity to be reduced from 50% to 30% beginning Jan. 2
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
December 29, 2020
The Black Mountain Board of Aldermen will join Buncombe County in reducing the number of diners allowed in restaurants and indoor gatherings, beginning at 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 2. Photo by Fred McCormick
Correction: The previously published version of this story stated that Buncombe County emergency order would be in place until Jan. 8, however the supplemental declaration will remain in place until otherwise repealed, replaced or rescinded. The Black Mountain Board of Aldermen will meet next week to discuss the matter.
The Town of Black Mountain will join Buncombe County in reducing the number of diners allowed in restaurants from 50% capacity to 30%.
The board of aldermen met Dec. 29 for a special-called meeting to allow town leaders to consider a response to the order that was issued by county commissioner Brownie Newman, Dec. 23. In addition to reducing the capacity for indoor dining until otherwise repealed or replaced, the emergency order seeks to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 by limiting indoor gatherings with individuals from other households to no more than two people.
The county order is set to take effect at 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 2.
“The issue in the order I took exception to, and wasn’t willing to follow, was reducing the capacity in restaurants from 50% to 30%,” Mayor Larry Harris said to open the Tuesday morning meeting. “I didn’t choose to follow the county’s order, much like the mayors of Biltmore Forest, Woodfin and Weaverville, because 50% capacity is consistent with the governor’s order.”
Harris, who has the authority to amend local regulations under the State of Emergency declared by the Town March 12, opted to have the board consider a response to the county’s declaration.
“I follow the governor’s order regardless, but since the county’s order is more restrictive, I wanted to convene a board meeting,” he said. “This decision will be made at the board’s direction, so you can either follow my direction or make a motion and choose another direction.”
Harris expressed his opinion that local restaurants were doing a “good job” operating at 50% capacity, adding that the pandemic has been especially hard on the industry.
Alderman Doug Hay cited an increase in COVID-19 cases within the Black Mountain zip code since Thanksgiving as his motivation for supporting the county order.
“We are definitely seeing a surge in the county, and our Black Mountain zip code, and those numbers are troubling for all of us,” he said.
Ryan Stone agreed with Hay.
“One of the things that we’ve seen, going back to Thanksgiving and Canadian Thanksgiving, is a two- or three-week spike,” he said. “We just completed the Christmas holiday, and we know people traveled. Out of an abundance of caution, I’m inclined to follow the county’s order, but I certainly understand the restaurateurs’ concerns that they’re being singled out by this. But, we should do whatever we can to mitigate the spread (of COVID-19).”
Stone added that being “overly cautious” in the short-term could benefit the entire community.
Archie Pertiller, Jr. acknowledged the recent decision by the Buncombe County School system to return exclusively to virtual instruction until Jan. 19 as an indicator that short-term measures can allow leaders to evaluate the post-holiday numbers.
“I would be inclined to follow something similar, and come back in around two weeks to revisit this,” he said.
Pam King stated that she “understands the dilemma” related to the order.
“I do feel like this situation is dire and getting worse,” she said. “We don’t live in a bubble, we live in Buncombe County. I applaud the county for trying to get ahead of this thing, even if it’s more stringent than the state.”
King added that residents are encouraged to support local restaurants by ordering take-out as much as possible, while Hay proposed a town initiative to back the businesses during this time.
“I’ve spoken to some restaurant owners over the last few days and they’re definitely concerned about the restrictions and added stress on employees,” he said. “I’d like for us to all consider how we can come together as a community, and maybe even as a board, with an official initiative to support them.”
A motion by Stone to follow all aspects of the county’s order through Jan. 8 passed 5-0.
“I think it would be in our best interest to see what the county does after that, and meet again to discuss it,” Stone said.