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CLAY COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLANCommunity Input Summary
March 4, 2010 www.claycountycomp.wordpress.com
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Committee:
Dr. Gail Criss, Chair Joe Allen Davenport Ron Guggisberg Frank Leatherwood Tanya Long Harrell Moore Dennis Myers Keith Nuckolls Ed Roach Elizabeth Rybicki Commissioner Harry Jarrett, Ex-Officio
Please Direct Questions To:
Kristy Carter, Project Coordinator NC Department of Commerce Division of Community Assistance Community Planning Program Western Regional Office 31 College Place, Building B Asheville, NC 28801 www.nccommerce.com/wro [email protected] 828.251.6917
www.claycountycomp.wordpress.com
About the Cover:
The image on the front cover was developed using a word cloud program (www.wordle.net), where each word recorded throughout community input process was inputted into and counted by the program. The count of each word is visually represented in the image. The largest words in the image were recorded more frequently, whereas the smallest words in the imager were used less.
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 1
Community Input Process Community input for the first phase of the Clay County Comprehensive plan
began in August 2009 with small group gatherings and focus groups and ended
in December 2009 with the close of the Community Opinion Survey.
Community Opinion Survey: The Clay County Community Opinion Survey was
available to residents of Clay County in electronic and hard copy format. The
electronic survey link was posted on a variety of Clay County Comprehensive
Plan promotional materials and it was advertised on posters distributed
throughout the County. A link to the survey was reported in the Clay County
Progress, and a link was available on the Clay County Government and the
Comprehensive Plan websites. All 8,816 Blue Ridge Mountain EMC (BRMEMC)
customers who receive a paper power bill received a copy of the survey in their
October 2009 bill.
Response Rate: Five hundred and sixty (560) individuals completed the
Community Opinion Survey. Sixty-six percent of the survey respondents
completed the hard copy version while 34% responded to the online survey.
Survey respondents were not required to answer each question. Of the sixty-six
answerable items, there is a median of 538 answers per item—96% of people
answered each question.
Community and Small Group Meetings: In addition to the Community Opinion
Survey, a series of community meetings and small group gatherings were held to
solicit information from a wide variety of citizens. Community meetings were
held at the Brasstown Community Center, Hayesville First United Methodist
Church, and the Tusquittee Community Center. The first two meetings at
Brasstown and Hayesville Methodist were sparsely attended. The third meeting
at Tusquittee had better attendance, but the meeting was held in conjunction
with the Community Center’s regular monthly meeting and the community
input session was cut short. Additionally, Committee members hosted small
group gatherings and focus groups were conducted with realtors/developers,
ministers, the Hispanic community, school parents and high-school students.
Response Rate: Combined, 118 people participated in at least one type of
meeting.
Structure of This Report: The information in this report is a summary of all
forms of input. The structure of this report follows the structure of the
Community Opinion Survey. The Survey had three sections: Part One--
Questions One through Nine: Ranking Importance and Satisfaction; Part Two--
Household and Demographic Information; and Part Three: The Consumer
Survey1 (results from this section are not included in this report). The survey
also asked respondents to submit unstructured comments.
At each small group gathering, focus group, or community meeting, leaders
asked participants a similar set of questions. The charts that follow result from
the Community Opinion Survey and the summary of written comments are
combined from all forms of community input (survey comments, small group
gatherings, focus groups, and community meetings, as well as written
comments submitted through the website or letters).
The Rule of Three: The Comprehensive Planning Committee is pleased with the
large amount of written feedback received. However, in order to avoid a sixty
page report, the information contained in this summary report had been
condensed using the Rule of Three. In order for a topic to be included in the
summary report, the topic had to be named by three different people. All
comments are important and the Committee reviewed and will refer to the
entire set of comments as they move forward. Please direct questions about
the data and report to Kristy Carter at [email protected].
1 The Consumer Survey was conducted in conjunction with the Community Opinion Survey in Partnership with the
Clay County Communities Revitalization Association (CCCRA) and HandMade in America. These two organizations are working with merchants in the Historic Hayesville area to complete a Historic Hayesville Market Analysis that will assist with economic development efforts in the Historic Hayesville area. Without CCCRA and HandMade’s assistance, the wide distribution of the Community Opinion Survey through the power bills would not have been possible.
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 2
Quality of Life Values Many of the comments received through the community input process had nothing to do with specific actions or things people would like
change or do. These comments describe what makes Clay County such a great place to live—they are the values that form Clay County’s
foundation.
Family and Faith Oriented: Clay County is a good
place to raise a family, with supportive activities through
recreation programs, the schools, and churches.
The People: The people of Clay County are vital to the
quality of life in Clay County. People of Clay County:
o Care for the Community and Have a Sense of
Pride: People in Clay County care for their home
and want to take care of what they have.
o Volunteer and Get Involved in the Community:
People in Clay County offer their time and
resources to maintain a high quality of life.
Sense of Safety: Clay County is a safe place to be and
live.
Education: Kids in the Clay County School System
receive a high quality education.
Small Town Feel, Quaintness: Clay County is a place
where you know your neighbors and someone is always
willing to help you out.
Rural Feeling, Rural Character: When the slow pace of
life, the farms and open land, and history and culture of
the people are honored, the quality life in Clay County is
enhanced.
Natural, Scenic, and Environmental Beauty: The
beauty in Clay County is abundant and is a non-
renewable resource of which the people of Clay County
are stewards.
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 3
Community Input Results
PART ONE: IMPORTANCE AND SATISFACTION Following are the results from Questions One through Nine from the Clay
County Community Opinion Survey. Questions One through Eight asked survey
respondents to rank 46 items from Very Important to Very Unimportant.
Question Nine asked respondents to rate their overall satisfaction with eleven
items. Five questions on the online survey were missing from paper survey due
to a printing error. These missing questions are noted below each chart.
Interpretation Guidance
Each section follows a similar format. There are nine topics that were
addressed: Human Services, Infrastructure, Housing and Buildings, Land
Stewardship and Landscape, Community Space, County Government, Economic
Development, Growth and Development, and Overall Satisfaction. These nine
topics set the structure for the overall summary. Following each chart are
comments from the community input meetings and the survey.
A. These are the statements evaluated under each heading. Statements
in the chart have been shortened and abbreviated. Readers may refer
to the Community Input Survey at the end of the document for the
complete statements.
B. The number at the end of each statement represents the number of
people that responded to the statement. Survey respondents were not
required to answer each statement or question.
C. There are several notes throughout the report. The N stands for note
and the number represents the note number. (N3) = the third note in
the document. Notes are explained immediately following the chart.
D. Because each statement had a different number of respondents, the
percentages represent the number of people who responded to that
statement. For example, 77% of 546 people who responded think it is
very important to implement water conservation programs. Sections
without a percentage listed are a small percent of the whole, generally
between 0% and 4%.
E. Rating Scales: Questions One through Eight: VI = Very Important, I =
Important, S = Satisfied with Current Effort or Level of Service, U =
Unimportant, VU = Very Unimportant; Question Nine: VS = Very
Satisfied, S = Satisfied, N = Neutral, D = Dissatisfied, VD = Very
Dissatisfied
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 4
1. Human Services: How important is it to increase services in the following categories?
Overall, the most important human service topics are the aging population and the need to match services to this group, and
access to medical care.
Senior Citizens Population is getting older, need services to meet the needs of the aging
population
Things to consider include: transportation, housing (assisted living, nursing
homes, low-income housing), medical care (home health care), and
affordable services and activities
Physical Health Need greater access to medical services such as professional practitioners
(family practice doctors, medical specialists, dentists) and urgent care
Medical care is also an avenue for job creation
Children and Youth More activities for children and youth
Need a strategy to keep young people in (or return to) the community
(addressed n more detail later in this report)
Other Better daycare/preschool options
46%
41%
32%
46%
29%
32%
34%
28%
22%
25%
29%
24%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Children and Youth (546)
Physical Health (539)
Mental Health (534)
Senior Citizens (544)
HUMAN SERVICES
VI
I
S
U
VU
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 5
2. Infrastructure: How important is it to increase, improve, or implement the following services or programs?
Overall, infrastructure was second most discussed topic. The County needs infrastructure systems that match
projected growth and economic development efforts. Recycling Increase recycling efforts by strengthening and better promoting the
existing recycling program
Provide an option to recycle glass
Recycle other materials (white goods, construction waste)
Increase number of recycling points Solid Waste Increase ability/flexibility to dispose of waste
Allow for disposal of white household goods and household hazardous waste Plan for the County to dispose of its own waste rather than transferring garbage to Georgia
Roads and Transportation Feedback related to roads and transportation have been grouped in to one of
three categories: Overall improvement, four-lane access, and safety
Overall Improvement
Road improvements that include widening, shoulder improvements, repaving, improved access, and improved maintenance
Better access in general, especially on some of the secondary roads
Improve traffic flow in some areas Four Lane Access: More people were satisfied with the current level of road access, however, some think four-lane access would benefit the community, particularly from an economic development standpoint
Safety: Some people are concerned about the safety of bridges, unsafe drivers
on mountain roads, speeding, and the number of car accidents
24%
12%
39%
24%
16%
52%
36%
34%
16%
32%
29%
29%
28%
37%
22%
30%
21%
35%
34%
16%
22%
13%
20%
6%
8%
12%
4%
7%
23%
4%
9%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Encourage Alt TPort Systems (537)
Encourage Four-Lane Access (543)
Expand Broadband Access (538)
Expand Water / Sewer Services (526)
Improve Major TPort Corridors (536)
Improve Recycling Efforts (543)
Water Conservation Programs (532)
INFRASTRUCTURE
VI
I
S
U
VU
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 6
Water, Sewer, and Septic Improve water, sewer and septic services
Expand and improve the public system (Clay County Water and Sewer District)
Increase the water supply
Connect with Towns County
Improve the permitting of septic systems
Water and sewer access is tightly connected to economic development. Broadband Increase broadband access throughout the County
Expanded DSL, fiber, and cable internet access at affordable rates
Broadband access is tightly connected to economic development
Other Communications Need for North Carolina television news coverage
Need for increased cell phone coverage
Alternative Transportation Create bike paths and lanes, greenways, and trails that people can use for
recreation purposes, as well as a means to get from place to place
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 7
3. Housing and Buildings: How important is it to increase services in the following categories?
Overall, compared to other topics, the housing and buildings category was not a much-discussed topic. Housing and Buildings Some need for more affordable housing
Need for more downtown apartments and living options
Concern about the overall housing market
Concern about the amount of dilapidated housing in the community and
the need for minimum standards to address dilapidated housing
25%
23%
15%
32%
30%
27%
38%
34%
42%
4%
6%
9%
6%
7%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Ensure Building Safety (539)
Increase Affordable Housing Supply (540)
Increase Choices in / Variety of Housing (538)
HOUSING AND BUILDINGS
VI
I
S
U
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 8
4. Land Stewardship and Landscape: How important is it to increase, improve, or implement the following services or programs?
Notes: (N1): This wording of this question caused confusion. Please refer to the section “Question Confusion” found in this document. (N2) This question was not asked on the paper copy of the survey.
Overall, many comments about Land Stewardship and Landscape were received. The most common theme was the
need to be good stewards of the area’s natural resources in order to preserve Clay County’s sense of place, the
health and quality of life of residents, and to enhance the economic viability of the area.
Water and Air Quality Water and/or air quality need to be protected and improved
Lake Chatuge There is concern about the decreasing quality of water in Lake Chatuge
The Lake is important to the County’s scenic beauty and economy
Efforts are needed to improve the Lake’s water quality
Farmland Preservation, Agriculture (Also See Rural Character) Relatively few comments about farmland preservation were made,
however, there is a large amount of support for preserving rural character; both in the chart above and in written comments. The Committee discussed that the County’s rural character, in part, is defined by the farmland found throughout the County.
69%
74%
55%
62%
5%
52%
77%
22%
19%
29%
25%
6%
29%
18%
7%
6%
14%
10%
28%
17%
4%
18% 42%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Preserve Rural Character (192) (N2)
Protect Natural Resources (548)
Additional Soil Erosion Tools (538)
Preserve Trees (546)
Signs and Billboards (537) (N1)
Preserve Farmland (544)
Protect Water Quality (546)
LAND STEWARDSHIP AND LANDSCAPE
VI
I
S
U
VU
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 9
Signs and Billboards Less signs and billboards, some would like to see no billboards at all; Some
suggested regulation as a solution Natural Resources Need a healthy environment and the area’s natural resources need
protection
The beautiful natural environment brings new residents and tourists to the area
The area’s natural resources and natural environment is a tool for economic development—particularly in regards to the green economy
Some also expressed the need for additional environmental controls, better enforcement of existing regulations and better environmental planning
Some expressed the need for less environmental controls
It was also noted that the area’s wildlife and the Nantahala National Forest are important natural resources
Rural Character, Scenic Beauty The rural character (scenery, farms/animals, small-town feel, rural lifestyle)
of Clay County needs to be preserved
Efforts to preserve rural character and scenic beauty need to be balanced with the need for economic growth and development
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 10
5. Community Space: How important is it to increase, improve, or implement the following services or programs?
Notes: (N3): This question was not asked on the paper copy of the survey.
Overall, the elements of community space most discussed were comments were recreation, community appearance,
and arts/cultural activities, all of which are community assets and they are important to economic development.
Recreation The wide variety of recreation opportunities are a valuable community
asset (County provided recreation services, outdoor recreation
opportunities, Lake Chatuge, etc.)
People would like to see expanded recreation center hours, a pool, a skate
park, a rifle/shooting range, and trails/recreation paths (for biking, hiking,
off-road vehicles, canoe/kayak paths) to the list of recreation amenities
Some would also like to see the current County Recreation Center (space
and activities) expanded
The array of outdoor recreation opportunities available can be used to bring
visitors, new residents, and jobs to the area
Community Appearance Make community physically attractive (landscaping /hardscaping, establish
gateways, and apply building/business appearance standards)
Community appearance should reflect and honor the community’s
uniqueness and heritage
Arts, Cultural Events, Activities The variety of arts, cultural events, and activities found in the County are an
asset
Some offerings, such as the Peacock Playhouse and the John C. Campbell
Folk School are unique. These resources can bring people more to the area
and enhance economic development efforts
The Peacock Playhouse needs financial support from local government
support
15%
27%
37%
41%
28%
26%
44%
37%
35%
37%
34%
33%
37%
31%
21%
18%
31%
33%
5%
5%
5%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Imp. Comm. Bldings and Facilities (192) (N3)
Expand Rec Facilities (542)
Preserve Historic Buildings (546)
Tools to Protect Open Space (543)
Increase Rec Programs (545)
Expand Rec Center Hours (541)
COMMUNITY SPACE
VI
I
S
U
VU
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 11
The number and variety of community activities and gatherings, the
presence of artists, and the availability of arts and cultural places/things are
assets that enhance the quality of life in the area and can enhance
economic development efforts
Other The library “is a jewel” that needs more funding for operations and
improvements
The post office is congested and the parking can be dangerous,
Improvements are needed
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 12
6. County Government: How important is it to increase, improve, or implement the following services or programs?
Notes: (N4): This question was not asked on the paper copy of the survey.
Overall, the County Government topic became a catch-all category for topics that, if addressed, would fall under
County programming.
Animal Control Need for some type of animal control measures (mainly for dogs)
Concerns about animal neglect
Concerns about animals (primarily dogs) that are allowed to roam unattended (hunting dogs)
Junk, Nuisances, Abandoned Buildings Concerns about “junk yards”, abandoned vehicles, abandoned/dilapidated
manufactured homes, decaying buildings
Some want regulation
Clean up is recommended
Litter Littering is a problem in the county
Solution may be some type of ordinance or a clean-up program
County Commission, Commission Size Change the commission size from three to five / Change the commission
size to four or two.
County commissioners should have focused leadership and planning (a
vision)
Some are satisfied with the work of the Board of Commissioners, some are
dissatisfied
Some are concerned that the Commissioners are perceived to be promoting
land use, some are pleased that the Commissioners are perceived to be
promoting land use
27%
39%
39%
28%
33%
46%
39%
40%
27%
32%
26%
20%
20%
26%
30%
9% 9%
3%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%100%
Increase Info About County Services (190) (N4)
Improve Efforts to Inform Citizens (547)
Increase Opp. for Pub. Involv. (540)
Increase Size of Commission from 3 to 5 (539)
Imp. Ordinance Enforcement (537)
COUNTY GOVERNMENT
VI
I
S
U
VU
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 13
Some would like to see more communication and openness from the
Commissioners and from County Government
Create more opportunities for public involvement (community boards,
solicit community input on issues)
Clay County Government More information from the County Government that is easily accessible (tax
records online, update citizens on emerging issues, better newspaper
coverage, newsletters)
Work for toward a responsive County Government
Smaller County Government
More progressive/forward thinking County Government
Taxing, Debt Some felt that the tax rate is low, and needs to remain so; Some felt that
the tax rate is too high
Some are concerned about rising property taxes
Building the tax base will help the County in the long run
Some are concerned about the County’s level of debt
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 14
7. Economic Development: How important is it to increase, improve, or implement the following services or programs?
Notes: (N5): This question was not asked on the paper copy of the survey.
Overall, Economic Development was the most discussed topic. Comments ranged from concerns about the current
economy to ideas on how to better support small businesses. Additionally, almost all other topics discussed in this
report relate to economic development in some way.
Support Small Business/Entrepreneurship, Support New/Existing Businesses Small businesses (new and existing) and entrepreneurs need unique
support for business growth and development
Strive to find a balance that supports small locally owned business with the
franchise/chain businesses that people would like to have in the community
Recognize that local businesses generate employment
Concern about the loss of small businesses
A strong Chamber of Commerce is critical for small business success.
Current Economy The current economy and the resulting job loss is the top concern named by
community input participants
Clay County’s economy was dependent upon the real estate and
construction sectors; the downturn has hit these sectors, and therefore the
County, extra hard; employers in these sectors need support
47%
62%
43%
36%
48%
39%
46%
61%
33%
30%
33%
27%
37%
31%
32%
28%
15%
7%
17%
20%
11%
20%
15%
8%
4%
4%
8%
4%
4%
9%
6%
4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Revitalize Dtown H'ville (188) (N5)
Increase Empoly. Opportunities (545)
Attract Retail/Commercial Develop. (538)
Attract Indust. Develop. (538)
Increase Availability of High Pay Jobs (541)
Promote Tourism (541)
Attract Business/Industry (539)
Support Small Business/Entrepreneurship (542)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
VI
I
S
U
VU
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 15
Locally Owned Businesses, Chain Businesses There are many who want to keep chain businesses out of the community
so that locally owned businesses are supported and there are many who
want to see chain businesses
Locally owned businesses add character to the community and feed the
local economy
Chain businesses, particularly discount shopping stores and restaurants,
provide choice and are perceived to be more affordable
Business and Industry Needs more employment opportunities through manufacturing and
industry, although the County’s size and location are limiters
Recruit light, clean industry and small scale manufacturing
This type of business will add to the tax base
Support existing industry
Use incentives to encourage businesses to locate in the County (tax credits,
rental assistance, training)
Real estate and construction will remain as cornerstones of the economy
Approach to Economic Development Economic development and growth need to be balanced with rural
character and natural resources and should be done responsibly
Economic development efforts should result in a diverse economic base
that is not too dependent on any one industry
Promote Tourism Tourism is an economic driver
Promote tourism (things to do, natural beauty, recreation offerings, events,
places, etc.)
Balance tourism promotion and growth with rural character and natural
resources and ensure that the things that bring people here are preserved
(natural beauty, views, lakes, rivers, events)
Need more lodging options
Promote the County as a place to retire
Increase Availability of High Paying Jobs Clay County needs more employment opportunities, the limited
employment opportunities are a major concern
The lack of high paying jobs prevents people from staying in Clay County
Economic development efforts should result in quality jobs that pay well
and are from a variety of employment sectors
Revitalize Downtown Hayesville Revitalizing Downtown Hayesville is important for economic development
and for preserving the rural character and heritage of the area
The businesses in the Downtown Hayesville need support from the local
community and visitors
Some think too much emphasis placed on Downtown Hayesville
Improve the appearance of the area (improved storefronts, flowers, clean-
up, paint)
Restore the Historic Courthouse and use if for community activities,
entertainment and programming
Youth/Young People Retention Concern about the number of youth/young people that leave the
community due to lack of employment opportunity
Develop a strategy that recruits and retains young people (things to do, high
paying jobs, quality schools)
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 16
8. Growth and Development: How important is it to increase, improve, or implement the following services or programs?
Notes: (N6): This wording of this question caused confusion. Please refer to the section “Question Confusion” found in this document.
Overall, there are some who don’t want to see growth management tools implemented while there are others who
would like to see a variety of growth management tools used to manage growth and development.
Steep Slope Development, Mountaintops, Ridges People were on both sides of the fence reading steep slope/mountainside
and ridge top development; There were more comments in support of
steep slope management that those who are against management
Concerns about clear cutting/gap tooth cutting, effect on water and
environmental quality, view sheds, safety
Property rights need to be protected
Tools to Manage Growth Those who want no or less tools for growth management want
No new or less ordinances or codes
To stop all zoning
To protect property rights
Keep unrestricted use of property
Those who want more our new tools to manage growth want
Better land use through zoning and/or ordinances
Land use planning, planning board
Development rules and regulation (subdivision, land disturbance,
guidelines)
Coordination between building department, emergency services, and
contractors
Appearance and lighting standards
Grandfathering if new regulations are implemented
Growth Comments about growth fell along a continuum from no more growth to
grow more
46%
56%
10%
48%
54%
38%
28%
10%
34%
32%
13%
11%
19%
14%
11%
15% 46%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Use Tools to Manage Growth (527)
Address Steep Slope Develop. (536)
Allow Junkyards Anywhere in County (525) (N6)
Promote Develop. to Preserve Open Space (535)
Promote Develop to Protects N Resources (537)
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
VI
I
S
U
VU
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 17
Grow in a way that protects small town charm, rural character, natural
resources
Grow in a way that is controlled and planned
Make sure there is infrastructure to match growth
Real Estate Development and Public Safety (EMS, Fire) Consider fire and EMS access when building
Private roads to meet state codes
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 18
9. Overall Satisfaction: How satisfied are you with the following services, programs, place?
Overall, people are satisfied with life in Clay County and the services provided by the County.
Schools and Education People are generally pleased with the quality of education, although a few
expressed some concern
The quality of the schools can enhance economic development efforts
School facilities need improvement/expansion (new primary school), a few
suggested that there is not a need for a new school
Balance emphasis on sports with arts and creativity
Neighbor Relations Clay County is a friendly place to live, but some perceived tension between
“locals” and “newcomers”; some suggested more community conversations
to ease this tension
Emergency Services (Police, Fire, EMS) Drugs and Crime Control: Concerns about drugs, crime, and speeding.
Fire Department: Would like a fully-staffed/paid fire department and a hydrant system
35%
54%
48%
18%
32%
44%
15%
13%
25%
33%
33%
54%
37%
34%
22%
43%
34%
45%
38%
43%
51%
44%
8%
7%
16%
32%
18%
18%
28%
29%
24%
13%
19%
20%
4%
3%
10%
14%
6%
3%
8%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Overall Quality of Life (190) (N7)
Place to Live (551)
Place to Raise Kids (515)
Place to Work (510)
Sense of Community (525)
Schools (540)
Services Provided by County (542)
Value Received for Tax Dollars (542)
Customer Service from County (539)
Sense of Safety (546)
Emergency Services (545)
OVERALL SATISFACTION WITH PLACE AND SERVICES
VS
S
N
D
VD
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 19
Question Confusion
Based on feedback received in the comments section of the survey, the wording
of two questions caused confusion. The two statements were:
a. Continue to allow signs and billboards anywhere in the county
(under Land Stewardship and Landscape), and
b. Continue to allow junkyard, concrete/asphalt plants and similar
business to be located anywhere in the county (under Growth and
Development).
Clay County does not regulate signs and billboards or high-impact businesses
(asphalt, junk yards, etc.). Therefore, these activities are currently allowed
anywhere in the county. During the survey design process, the question was
designed to interpret a VI response to mean that respondent wants no
regulation of these activities. Likewise, a VU response was to mean that these
activities shouldn’t be allowed to happen everywhere in the county, suggesting
some type of regulation might be needed. Many survey respondents made it
known that the statements were confusing and they used the comments section
to clarify their thoughts. People who submitted comments were supportive of
controls to regulate high-impact uses (junk yards, asphalt plants, etc.) and signs
and billboards.
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 20
PART TWO: DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (SR=SURVEY RESPONDENTS)
Ten demographic questions were included on the survey. Below are the results and accompanying notes from those
ten questions.
10. I work in the following counties: Clay, NC; Cherokee, NC; Macon, NC; Towns, GA; Union, GA; Other.
Response: N = 288. 70% of SRs work in Clay County, 30% of which also work
outside of the County. Another 30% do not work in the County. .
Those who work out of the County travel to a variety of locations in and out of
North Carolina. The following chart details to where out-of-county employees
travel.
NOTE: Some people work in more than one county; therefore, the total number of responses (234)
does not equal the number of people who work out of the county (148).
11. Question: Employment Status (Check all that apply): Full-Time, Self-Employed, Unemployed, Part-Time, Work from Home, In School, Retired, Other.
Response: N = 477. The majority of SRs (51%) were retirees. 41% were
employed full or part time. The remaining 8% did not work due to
unemployment or by choice. Only 6% of SRs reported a primary status (full-time
or part time) plus an additional response, such as full-time and in school, or full-
time and work from home.
49% 21% 30%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Where People Work Clay Only
Clay and Other
Not In Clay
75 52 32 21 16 10 9 6 544
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Where People Work--Outside of Clay County
Cherokee County, NC Towns, GA Union, GA
Other GA County Out of State (Not NC or GA) Macon County, NC
Jackson, NC Graham, NC Swain, NC
Other Other NC County
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 21
12. Question: Which Best Describes Your Home (Select One): House, Apartment, Condo, Manufactured Home, Group Living, Other
Response: N = 546. The vast majority (89%) of survey respondents described
their home as a house. The second most common type of home was a
manufactured home, at 8.2%. Very few respondents lived in other types of
housing.
13. Question: Other Housing Information: a) I own my home, b) I live on a working farm, c) I live in Clay County Full Time.
Response: Most survey respondents owned the home in which they lived, did
not work on a working farm, and lived in Clay County full time.
The responses for this three-part question are in the table below. Many people
did not answer each question, as can be seen between the difference between
a) and b). The difference in responses may be due the fact that some people
may not have realized that a, b, and c should also be answered. It appears as if
respondents answered a) then moved on. For example, only 54 people stated
that they did not live in Clay County full time. However, in question 15, 110
provided an answer to the question, “In which state do you live when not in Clay
County.”
Yes No a) I own my home (N=538) 95% 5% b) I live on a working farm (N=266) 11% 89% c) I live in Clay County full time (N=392) 86% 14%
14. Question: In which township do you live? Tusquittee, Sweetwater, Brasstown, Town of Hayesville (in town limits), Hayesville (not in town limits), Hiawassee, Shooting Creek, Other
Response: N = 534. Just under half (47%) of the SRs lived in the Hayesville
(outside of the town boundary) or Brasstown townships. The 3% in the other
category listed a specific road, where they live when they are not in Clay County,
or listed a subdivision name.
51% 31% 10% 8%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Primary Employment StatusRetired
Full-Time
Part-Time
Do Not Work
89% 8.2%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Type Of Residence
House (486)
Manufactured Home (45)
Apartment (9)
Other (3)
Condo/Townhome (2)
Group Living (1)
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 22
15. Question: In which state do you live when not in Clay County?
Response: N=110. 110 people listed where they lived when they were not in
Clay County. The distribution of where people lived is below. None of the SRs
listed a foreign country, however, on person stated that they lived on a ship
when not in Clay County.
16. Question: Which Best Describes Your Race?: White or Caucasian, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or Other.
Response: N = 536. The overwhelming number, (99%), of SRs were
white/Caucasian. 1% of SRs, or five people, were American Indian/Alaskan
native, Hispanic/Latino, or other.
17. Question: What is your family’s annual income?
Response: N = 397. 73% of SRs who reported their annual income had an
annual income below $75,000 per year. Incomes for those below $25,000,
those between $25,000 to $49,000 and those between $50,000 to $75,000 were
fairly well distributed, representing between 21 and 24 % of those who reported
their income.
29% 18% 13% 10% 10% 9% 7% 3%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Where Respondents Live
Hayesville (Out of Town) Brasstown
Shooting Creek Tusquittee
Sweetwater Hiawassee
Town of Hayesville Other
51% 26% 12% 3%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
State of Residence When Not In Clay
Florida Georgia North CarolinaSouth Carolina Alabama New YorkOhio California Massachusetts Michigan
21% 28% 24% 13% 10%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Income
Under $25K$25K to $49K$50K to $74K$75K to $99K$100K to $150K1Over $150K
Clay County Comprehensive Plan Community Input Summary Page | 23
18. Question: How old are you? (Age of person completing survey).
Response: N=501. The median age of SRs is 62. The youngest SR was 20 and
the oldest was 93. According to the NC State demographer, the median age of
the Clay County population in 2008 is 47.
19. Question: Counting you, how many in your household are in the following age groups?
Response: N=471. The 471 people responded to this question. The total of all
people in the 471 households is 720. The chart shows the age groups of the
total number of people in survey respondent households. 50% of all people are
age 55 and above and only 16% are below age 18.
5% 9% 25% 37% 22%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Age of Person Completing Survey20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69 3% 13% 10% 28% 39%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Ages in HouseholdsUnder 55 to 1718 to 2526 to 3940 to 5455 to 6465 and up