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Anthony Cloud

Staff Writer

The Pineville City Council announced intent to annex portions of the Pine Mountain State Resort Park on Monday. The council had a reading of an ordinance stating the city’s plans during its regular monthly meeting.

By annexing Pine Mountain, the park will become part of the city limits. The area that the council intends to annex includes an unincorporated area of 1,739.86 acres and the park lodge and restaurant.

There is still some information the council plans to obtain before officially declaring annexation of the park. One item involves the primary security of the park, while another pertains to the fire suppression ratings.

The council does plan to receive the information before moving forward with the annexation process.

Secretary of Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Marcheta Sparrow says she is in full support of the annexation. According to Sparrow, Pine Mountain was Kentucky’s first state park, established in 1924.

“I encourage the city of Pineville to pursue annexation of Pine Mountain State Resort Park into the city’s boundaries and further strengthen the community bond between the park and the citizens of Pineville,” said Sparrow in a written letter to the council. “The park will make a wonderful addition to a thriving city both of which represent the best that Kentucky has to offer.”

In July, the council mentioned the possibility of the park being annexed, agreeing to take the legal steps to see how they could achieve the goal. If the park is annexed, Pineville will benefit from occupational tax and from the lodging, food and beverage tax from the restaurant and lodge.

In other action, the council:

• Approved minutes from the previous meeting;

• Gave second reading to establishing an ordinance for a drug free workplace;

• Heard a Main Street update;

• Confirmed trick-or-treat hours for 5:30 to 7:30 on Oct. 31.

Anthony Cloud is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted via email at acloud@heartlandpublications.com or by phone at 606-248-1010 ext. 208.