Debra Wood Smothers addressed the council on Monday night regarding a zoning issue denied by the planning committee at the June 27th meeting. Smothers explained the proposed structure behind the Hospital Dr. area will be used mostly commercial with a “live-in” residence for her aging mother.
Codes Enforcer Mike Townsend was on hand to detail the planning committee’s denial. Townsend said, “The main problem is to do a spot re-zone would allow anyone coming in behind her and putting anything in.” City Attorney Marcus Noles agreed and stated a work/live exception would work better. “Because there is business and hospital medical zones already in place, a work/live exception would allow a business to go onto the property with a small residence and it would no longer exist after the current owner sells.”
Smothers agreed with the decision. The next step is a public hearing on the matter.
Townsend was also pertinent in the next discussion that involved Surveyor Larry Smith speaking on behalf of Walter Melton. Melton owns property on Lake St. where he was asking for a variance in zoning. Townsend approached the council and helped identify the property on the map provided by Smith.
Noles pointed out that the more than three acres in question were already separate. “The 3.64 acres being addressed already has two separate deeds making them separate properties. You only need to go before the zoning board and ask for the variance.”
Mayor Roger Pafford then updated the city pool construction. “Demolition has been completed and concrete is scheduled to be poured on July 15. The 9’ deep city pool is on schedule.”
The city is hoping the pool will be completed by opening day next summer.
