Rezoning on tonight’s city agenda
Sammy Rich slated to give his State of City address
Rome City Manager Sammy Rich is scheduled to present his annual State of the City address tonight.
The report to the City Commission will include a look at the accomplishments of 2016 and a preview of plans for the coming year. It’s set for the board’s regular meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. on the second floor of City Hall, 601 Broad St.
Commissioners also have several public hearings on their agenda, beginning with a proposed rezoning that would allow builder Walter Busby to put six new houses on a 1.15-acre tract on Holmes Road between Skyview Terrace and Cheney Street.
The now-vacant property once held eight rental homes, and the Rome-Floyd County Planning Commission has recommended approval.
Hearings also are slated on an application to add a sliver of land at 532 King St. to a commercial tract fronting on Dean Street; a property swap between Trinity United Methodist Church and Sherold Salmon Auto Superstore on Turner McCall Boulevard; and a request for residential zoning for two houses on commercially-zoned lots on Harvey Street.
Commissioners also are expected to approve a tweak to the Unified Land Development Code regarding the height of fences. Planning Director Sue Hiller said fences in front yards are currently limited to a height of 3 feet but the standard pre-fabricated fencing available is closer to 4 feet tall.
Among the other items
of business is a decision on sending letters of support for federal funding to U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue and Congressman Tom Graves.
The budget submitted by President Donald Trump would eliminate Community Development Block Grants and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program funding the city uses for revitalization projects in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods.
The programs provide “safe, decent, affordable housing; infrastructure improvements; and job, education, health and family supports. They are an important resource for our community,” the draft letter reads.
Commissioners also are scheduled to go into a closed session to discuss a real estate matter before their regular meeting.
While the specifics weren’t available Sunday, city officials have been in talks with American Legion Post 5 about a strip of property it owns that connects Riverview Park to Shorter Avenue.
The closed session will directly follow a premeeting caucus that starts at 5 p.m. Sharon Baker is expected to talk with the board then about the nonprofit Women’s Information Network Inc. that she founded to assist with community wellness.
Both the caucus and regular meeting are open to the public.