The prospect of a 130-plus-acre resort in Carter County took center stage during Tuesday’s Carter County Planning Commission meeting inside the courthouse.

Several Carter County residents took to the podium to raise concerns about the project as Planning Commission chairman and Carter County Planning and Zoning Director, Chris Schuettler, fielded questions pertaining to the resort.

Following the lengthy discussion, the Planning Commission unanimously voted to approve the conceptual designs for the resort which will feature a 22-room inn, restaurant, a community village, and ice skating rink. The project is being developed by California native, Daniel Goodhall, and will be located off Highway 67 near Butler.

While many have shown support for the resort and its projected 500-plus jobs that it could bring to the region, many others, specifically individuals who are from the Butler community, have voiced opposition to the project.

One concern during Tuesday’s meeting was how the resort could affect the natural landscape of the Watauga Lake shoreline and mountains. Schuettler, who called the resort a possible “economic explosion for the area,” said that the resort will have a rustic look that will blend into its surroundings while not blocking views of the sunset off Watauga Lake. Schuettler said that the resort is also located in a district that calls for projects to protect against light reflection off of glass surfaces while reducing light pollution.

One resident raised concerns about the negative impacts of increased traffic on Highway 321 which connects with Highway 67. Schuettler said that he feels the impacts on traffic will be minimal on both Highway 67 and 321 but suggested that if the resident wanted a traffic-impact study to be done on the project that they would need to address the Carter County Highway Committee which can petition TDOT to do a study.

Among other concerns was how the resort will affect the environmental well-being of the area to which Schuettler responded by saying he believes that the resort will be more environmentally sound than if 200 or so homes were built in the same area. Schuettler also said that measures will be taken to protect against negative effects on the environment.

According to Schuettler, the project has been in the works for roughly three years now and will have an estimated cost of 30 to 45 million dollars to complete.

The resort will be done in three phases with the first phase, the 22-room inn and restaurant, having a completion date around late spring and early summer of 2020. The restaurant will have a farm to table emphasis.