Temporary special-use permit approved for Gentry Schools

GENTRY — The Gentry Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special use permit for the Gentry School District to place a temporary building on the high school campus for a second agriculture classroom. The special use permit was approved during the Thursday meeting which followed an open public hearing on the request.

According to information presented at the hearing, the special use permit is for a 24-by-64foot classroom which will be delivered in two sections and placed near the current agriculture classroom. The steel building will be anchored down. No plumbing will be placed in the building because of its close proximity to the current agriculture building.

The temporary use permit will be reviewed in four years, according to the commission’s decision.

The classroom will be used for a second agriculture classroom to provide additional classes for middle school and high school students. Wendy Jackson was hired as the new teacher who will be assigned to the classroom.

The school is purchasing the temporary building, according to Jason Barrett, transportation and maintenance director for the school district. The portable steel building is being purchased so that the district can use it elsewhere if need be after it is no longer needed for classroom space in the agriculture program.

Randy Barrett, district superintendent, said he didn’t know for sure how long the temporary building would be needed at that site. He said the temporary classroom was the school district’s only option to provide immediate space for the second agriculture classroom.

In other business, the commission denied a tract-split request from Dwayne Bunch on Cozy Corner Rd., just outside the city limits. The commission denied the request because of issues with access and utility easements and because no one was present to explain how code could be met if the split were granted.

Jay Williams, Gentry’s city attorney, presented a proposed ordinance amending city code to allow for swinging signs which would make it possible for motorists to see business names without looking away from the roadway. Williams suggested the commission members review the proposed ordinance and take it up again at the August meeting for further action. One question to be considered was the square-foot limit for sign size. Commission members were asked to think about appropriate sign size.

Sidewalks were discussed, with David McNair, the city’s public works director, suggesting the city amend its code to require those putting in subdivisions to also put in sidewalks so that the city is not responsible for building sidewalks where lots remain vacant in order to have a continuous sidewalk down each street. He suggested requiring a sidewalk down one side of the street with the other side used for utilities.

Also being prepared for a future meeting are some changes to the final checklist for preliminary and final plats. McNair said he is working to make sure that every required item is checked off with a signature before the preliminary and final plats are brought to the planning commission for approval.

McNair also suggested that requirements for street construction in subdivisions be asphalt and that concrete be removed because of problems with concrete due to a poor base. He said the asphalt streets would be less expensive for the city to maintain and repair.