Nicky Boyette – Paul and Kristy Sutherland spoke to Planning commissioners last Tuesday about paranormal or ghost tours that occur just before midnight in their neighborhood. One site visited is Penn Castle on Eureka Street. Kristy said a van pulls up to a No Parking sign and lets passengers disembark with flashlights. The vehicle blocks the street while noisy ghost-seekers clamor about on the street and through the house. She mentioned the tours also encourage curiosity-seekers who come to the site on their own. Paul stated he had a letter signed by the neighbors asking the city to stop the tours, particularly at a site not designated as a tour home.
Beacham said Planning was preparing a list of items in City Code that needs to be updated, and a recommendation on tour homes would be included. Alderman David Mitchell suggested Planning request that council impose a 90-day moratorium on tours for homes in residential zones which do not already have a CUP as a tour home. Vote was unanimous to send Beacham to the next council meeting with their request.
Complaint process
As a follow up to previous discussions, commissioner James Morris presented a preliminary request for inspection. Citizens who suspect there could be a violation of City Code could file one of the forms with the city while remaining anonymous. Morris said an official complaint filing could come later, but the document would improve follow up and accountability by the city.
Other commissioners had reservations about the first draft, and commissioner Pat Lujan suggested they review the form and discuss it more at the next meeting.
Last on the list
- Commissioners voted to send council a draft resolution crafted by Craig Hull who has been developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan for the city for two years. The resolution called for creation of an Improvement District, which Hull said would be a coalition of downtown property owners. The district would provide a way the participants could equitably pay for projects that protect and improve their properties, such as further repair of the tunnel underneath downtown. Hull mentioned that since the plan had been financed by the Federal Emergency Management Authority, it would open the possibility of FEMA assistance for projects, possibly even some aspect of the proposed community center.
- Commissioners approved a variance to allow the St. James Episcopal Church to erect an additional sign at the southern and eastern entrances to town.
Next meeting will be Tuesday, April 26, at 6 p.m.