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COUNCIL MEETING The regular meeting of the Jonesboro Mayor and Council was held August 9, 2004 at 170 South Main Street at 7:00 pm. Members Present: Councilwoman Yvette McDonald Councilman Wallace Norrington Councilwoman Linda Wenz Councilman Rick Yonce Mayor Joy Day Staff Present: Public Wks Director Sam Durrance Police Chief Robert Thomas Fire Chief Jimmy Wiggins City Manager Jon Walker Mayor Day began the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes: Councilman Norrington made a motion to approve the minutes with the noted change of adding his name as he was present at the meeting. Councilwoman McDonald seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Under old business: Rezone Request Rum Creek Townhomes: City Manager Jon Walker reviewed the PBS&J rezoning report regarding 7.46 acres on the North side of Stockbridge Road, which included a list of requested waivers regarding setbacks, buffers, number of units and the amount of green space available. Attorney Steve Fincher representing Dixon Inc. requested the acreage be rezoned from Commercial-1 to RM2 Multi-Family for Townhomes. He reviewed with Mayor and Council the variances requested by the planner, which include the density be 45 units with full front brick, stone or stucco (with hardi-plank accents), a six foot high decorative fence, a soil analysis to be done and if the land does not support the project it would not be built. He explained the selling price would be $125-$150K with double garages. Mayor Day asked for any public comments. Mary Baker addressed her concerns regarding the traffic congestion and the additional strain on the already overcrowded schools. Mayor Day asked for any other public comment, there being no further comment Mayor Day closed the public hearing and called for a motion on this rezone request from Dixon Inc. Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to deny this rezoning request. Councilwoman McDonald seconded. The motion carried unanimously. New Business:
Home Occupation Request: Councilman Norrington made a motion to table the request from Amy Wingler as she was not present at the meeting. Councilwoman McDonald seconded. The motion carried. Rezone Request 1403 & 1405 Stockbridge Road: City Manager Jon Walker reviewed the Rezone Report from PBS&J with the council regarding this rezone request from Residential to Commercial 1 for a Mortuary. Anthony Watkins informed the Mayor and Council he is negotiating with the adjacent property owner for additional land for more parking. Mayor Day called for any public comments. No one addressed the council. Mayor Day closed the public hearing. Councilman Norrington made a motion to approve the rezone request. Councilwoman McDonald seconded. The motion carried with Councilman Norrington abstaining as he knows Mr. Watkins. Rezone Request 298 South Main Street: Polly Rawls addressed the Mayor and Council and requested her property at 298 South Main Street be rezoned from Residential to R4 Group Day Care. She introduced Yvonne Treelove with the Dept. of Family & Children Services who informed the council what type of facility will be operating at this home. The Group Day Care, called Second Chance House would provide for 4 single mothers (under the age of 19) and their child, teach them basics on how childcare, finances, help them stay in school, provide transportation etc. City Manager Jon Walker reviewed with council the rezone report from PBS&J which prohibits signage, limits the maximum occupancy, the development of a playground/recreational area, parking to remain in the front of the home, a landscape hedge be installed around the perimeter of the existing parking area and the facility have the appropriate state, county and city licenses, permits and inspections. Mayor Day asked for public comment. Suzie McCray spoke of support for this program. Smith Foster from Dalton addressed the council. He read a letter of support from Dalton’s City Administrator James Sander. Mayor Day asked for any other public comment. The being no other comment she closed the public hearing and called for a motion from the council. Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to approve this rezone request with the conditions outlined in the rezone report. Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Rezone Request 198 North McDonough Street: City Manager Jon Walker reviewed the rezone report from PBS&J regarding rezone request from the property owners of 198 North McDonough Street from Residential to Residential Family (RS7) with Conditions. Variances were requested regarding the lot size, lot width, yard setbacks, sidewalks, parking garages and alleyways. Various recommendations were made from PBS&J for the council to consider and were reviewed by Mr. Walker. Attorney Steve Fincher spoke on behalf of the proposed developer Tim Tittle and the property owners David Turner, Katherine Smith Turner, James Turner and Therese Turner. He explained the initial 74 homes was reduced to 71 homes, which is 7 units per acre, the development would include sidewalks, a proposed connection to Wallis Street and a stub out on the south side of the property. The homes would market for $200K; have sod yards, a minimum of 1800 sq. ft. and the developer would be committed to all homes being constructed of brick, stone, stucco or hardi-plank. Mayor Day called for public comment. Larry King spoke of traffic concerns and over development. He questioned if the Historic Commission had reviewed the proposal and if the storm water runoff from such a development had been considered. David Brooks spoke on behalf of several neighbors who opposed the project. Ben Harris, owner of BHW Sheetmetal Co, voiced concern on the increase of traffic to Johnson Street and how this would affect his business. Lucy Long voiced concern if the city could provide services for such a development. Ed Wise did not object to the development, but was opposed to the number of homes in the development. Mayor Day closed the public hearing. Attorney Steve Fincher commented on the citizen concerns. Mayor Day called for a motion. Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to postpone the rezone request until the September council meeting. Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Day called for a five-minute recess. The meeting resumed with the following: Storm Water Ordinance/Soil & Erosion: Councilman Norrington made a motion to approve the Storm Water Ordinance pertaining to Soil & Erosion as presented. Councilwoman McDonald seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Post Development Storm Water Management Ordinance: Mayor Day asked for any questions or concerns regarding this ordinance. Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to approve the ordinance as presented. Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Mosquito Control Ordinance: Mayor Day asked for any discussion or concerns regarding the Mosquito Control Ordinance. Councilman Norrington made a motion to approve the mosquito control ordinance. Councilman Yonce seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Nuisance Ordinance: Mayor Day asked for any questions or concerns regarding this ordinance. Councilman Yonce made a motion to adopt the Nuisance Ordinance. Councilwoman McDonald seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Comprehensive Plan Update Review: Lee Walton with Robert & Company presented Mayor and Council with a draft of the Comprehensive Plan Update and the Land Use Map along with a draft resolution to submit the draft plan to the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Department of Community Affairs for the required review process. This allows time for the city, the general public, the ARC and DCA to make any changes or recommendations prior to the final approval. ARC and DCA require a resolution to submit the plan for review, after the review a new resolution would be required for the final adoption of the Comprehensive Plan Update. Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to send the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Department of Community Affairs a copy of the updated Comprehensive Plan for review. Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Church Bells at 199 North Main Street: Grant Armstrong, St. Francis Church requested the council to approve the installation of an electronic caroling system. The bells would ring 3 times a day at 9am/12noon/3pm for 15-30 seconds. Concern was voiced about the clarity of the sound, the significance of the time played, type of music played which would be seasonal. Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to postpone any decision until the September meeting for further study. Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried. Dan Astin/Church Street: Mr. Astin commented to council how good the city’s garbage and brush service has been. He asked council to consider moving the “No Thru Traffic” and the “No Trucks” signs up to the Main Street location as this might help with Church Street traffic in addition he requested to have the speed limit sign moved into direct line of sight. He thanked the council for having the street paved and asked that the stop lines and the word “stop” be painted on the intersection of Church Street and Stewart Avenue. Banking RFP: City Manager Jon Walker updated the council on the banking proposals and review process and asked the council for a motion to continue with SunTrust Bank for our banking services for a term of five years unless otherwise requested by Mayor and Council. Councilman Norrington made a motion to accept the banking proposal from SunTrust Bank based on the RFP and continue for a period of five years unless altered by the council. Councilwoman McDonald seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Executive Session: Mayor Day requested a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss possible land acquisition, personnel actions and pending litigation. Councilwoman McDonald motioned to go into Executive Session. Councilman Yonce seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Norrington made a motion to resume regular session. Councilman Yonce seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Regular session resumed. Condemnation of Property: Councilman Yonce made a motion to approve the Resolution authorizing Condemnation of Property Rights for property on West Mill Street directly behind Heritage Bank. Councilwoman Wenz seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Other Business: Grant for Massengale Park: Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to accept a CDBG grant for $100,000.00 for playground equipment which includes a fence and play equipment for 5 year old and under children for Massengale Park. Councilman Yonce seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Day asked Chief Thomas questions regarding the crime statistics. Councilman Norrington informed the council the Fire Department received a $14,000.00 grant from the Heritage Fund for turnout gear. There being no further business, Councilman Norrington made a motion to adjourn. Councilwoman McDonald seconded. The motion carried unanimously. _________________ __________________ Joy Day, Mayor Joan Jones, City Clerk |