The April 14 meeting of the Planning Commission began with a public hearing for the transfer of a Conditional-Use Permit at 2 Armstrong St. The commission has recently added a requirement that a property’s taxes must be current with the City Advertising and Promotion Commission, and that information was not immediately available. Dee Bright, the current owner of the property, said the taxes are paid through Airbnb. New owners Jeff and Jeri Bach need the CUP transfer approved before closing on the property, and commissioners approved the transfer with the added condition that all taxes are current.
Tree cuts approved:
- All approved the removal of a tree at 19 Jackson St. for Alan Lankford. The tree is close to the house, and the roots threaten a gas line and the foundation of the house. Commissioner Mike Welch said he had done a site visit and agreed with the need to remove the tree.
- Tom Buford, a former member of this commission, asked to remove four trees at 17 Pivot Rock Rd. The application showed that three of the trees are growing up into power lines. A mature Bradford pear is also growing beneath power lines and dropping limbs, as well. That tree is more than 30 years old, which is unusual for a Bradford pear, but Buford reminded everyone that the Bradford pear is invasive. Welch initially objected to cutting the tree but joined the others in granting approval.
- Welch weighed in on another tree-cut application. Arborist Mike Larrew represented owner Justin Reed with a request to remove one tree at 115 E. Van Buren. Larrew said a sidewalk installation compacted the soil around the tree, which is also threatening the foundation. Welch said the previous owner did not request cutting this tree, but Larrew replied that the previous owner’s decision to place concrete around the base of the tree hastened its demise. Welch voted against the proposed tree-cut, and Chair Fergie Stewart provided the fourth vote needed for approval.
- Commissioners approved the removal of two trees at 11 Midway St. for Teodoro Herrera. The trees are growing too close to the house.
- At 176 E. Van Buren, the removal of three trees was approved for Leigh Turner. One of the trees was described as skinny and almost dead, and another was in an overcrowded situation. The third tree was threatening the foundation and growing over the roof of the house.
In other business:
- A workshop on revising the city’s vision plan preceded the regular meeting. Commissioners described some progress and scheduled another workshop before the May 12 commission meeting.
- The commission will forward its recommendations on sidewalk regulations to city council. A joint workshop will bring council and Planning Commission members together on this subject, and a date will be set within the coming weeks.
- Requests for quotes have been issued for an abstracter and a provider of digital maps. The commission has worked to generate a map showing city-owned property. The digital maps will include information such as utilities. Any proposals received will be opened on April 27 in the mayor’s office.
- Director of Planning and Community Development Cassie Dishman reminded everyone that a “wish list” compiled at the start of the year included looking into regulating nuisance properties. That item will appear on the May 12 agenda. During a brief discussion, the commissioners noted that city council has not pursued this recently.
• This was the first meeting for Commissioner Anna Smedley. The commission still has on