LAKE JUNALUSKA — At a Friday meeting, the Lake Junaluska Assembly board of directors overwhelmingly supported merging with Waynesville.

The decision is a culmination of a year-long study effort, and one that also has the blessings of a municipal study task force, the Assembly community council, the Assembly Public Works Committee and the Waynesville Board of Aldermen.

The board's action came on the heels of  a community meeting held Thursday where more than 100 lake residents showed up to hear the results of the property owner survey on the issue.

The next step will be a final vote expected on Tuesday from the Waynesville governing board to weigh in on the assembly resolution. The deadline to officially introduce the legislation making annexation possible is Wednesday, March 13.