Nicky Boyette – Chair Steve Beacham represented a resolution from Planning asking city council to establish a 90-day moratorium “on the issuance of new business licenses in residential zones for Category 175 Tour Homes.” He explained that citizens in one particular neighborhood complained to Planning of late-night tours through a property not registered as a tour home. The influx of visitors at the late hours had been causing distress for locals, who signed petitions asking for the tours to stop. Planning was following up on the outcry by asking for a brief pause in the tours while they completed their update of City Code, which would include the section on tour homes.
Alderman James DeVito said he spoke with the tour operator in question, who said he had suspended tours that were the focus of the complaint. DeVito asked if there were still a need for the moratorium.
Beacham replied, “It is the will of the council,” and he was only bringing up concerns that were brought to him.
Council decided to take no action on the moratorium. However, Mayor Butch Berry said council would be ready to review Planning’s work on updating City Code when it was completed.
During Public Comments, Gary Toub and Kathy Martone who had applied to Planning for a Conditional Use Permit at a one-unit Bed & Breakfast for 23 Elk, asked to postpone their appeal. A strong contingent spoke out against the application at the April 12 Planning meeting, and commissioners denied the request.
Nevertheless, similar complaints were aired again at the council meeting.
Susan Porter said she was against council carving out a portion of a neighborhood, or what she called spot zoning. She also mentioned Elk Street is very narrow, and a B&B would create more traffic. Besides, there is a tourist lodging next door and City Code does not allow a CUP within 200 ft. of a same or similar CUP.
Linda McBride said she was concerned with rezoning. Also the city has reached its saturation point for B&Bs and cautioned council about “chipping away at neighborhoods.” She also cited parking issues and how narrow Elk Street is.
Glenda Satterfield asked council to protect residential areas. LauraLee Wilcox claimed there was overwhelming opposition to the CUP request that put neighbors at a “great risk of losing property values.” She also cited the 200-ft. rule. Jim Puckett said his house is across the street from 23 Elk, and he maintained parking is a real problem there, Elk is very narrow, there is a tourist lodging within 200 feet, and he was against allowing a commercial venture in the neighborhood.
Rick Bright spoke out on something different. He presented a jar of a decidedly brown liquid and said it was his tap water. He said he appreciated that council was doing something about the city’s aging infrastructure, but his problem will not be fixed by a water rate increase. He was not convinced the two percent tax would fix the problem anytime soon, but he appreciated the fact council was focusing on the issue.
Next meeting will be Monday, May 2, at 6 p.m.