Council hears residents’ comments
GRAVETTE — Two people spoke during the citizen comment period of the March 15 city council meeting. Dean Edmondson, chairman of the planning commission, said he didn’t appreciate recent criticism directed at the planning commission. He noted that there are five fairly new members on the commission and said they are working hard and trying their best to do what is right. He said they are finding many properties that have been zoned incorrectly for some time and are attempting to correct all inaccuracies. Therefore he didn’t like reading in the newspaper about what they were doing wrong. He then submitted his resignation from the commission, effective immediately.
Matt Neustel, who lives at 710 Dallas St. S.W., also addressed the council with his concerns about the rezoning of property adjacent to his on Dallas Street. He questioned whether proper drainage had been planned for the site. He said the city is growing and he knows it is trying to catch up and progress, but he feels many changes are being made too quickly and with a lack of planning. He mentioned in particular that a large number of children were practicing on the ballfields in Pop Allum Park with large heavy equipment working nearby, and he is concerned about their safety.
Mike von Ree, city clerk, assured Neustel that drainage concerns for the property in question have been addressed and invited him to look at site maps prepared by Morrison-Shipley engineers. Mayor Kurt Maddox told Neustel that paving on the parking lot adjacent to the ballfields would be complete before the schedule of games begins.
A short public hearing was held to consider a lot split for John and Julie Holloway, the rezoning of property at 802 Dallas St. S.W. and the abandonment of an alley at Fifth Avenue S.W. and Charlotte Street S.W. No one was present to comment on any of the issues.
In new business, council members passed an ordinance vacating an alley at Fifth Avenue S.W and Charlotte Street S.W. The alley has not been used for more than five years and no longer serves the purpose for which it was intended. Another ordinance was passed, splitting a parcel of land owned by John and Julie Holloway on the south side of Highway 279 between Persimmon and Hatcher Hollow Road. A third ordinance was passed, rezoning property at 802 Dallas St. S.W. from A-1, agricultural, to R-1, single family residential.
Proposed budget adjustments in the administration and license areas of the general fund were tabled for further study.
In the comment period following the meeting, council member Ron Theis told Dean Edmondson he wanted to apologize to him on behalf of the council for the criticism he had endured. He thanked Edmondson for his service on the planning commission and acknowledged that most people are not aware of the difficulties its members encounter.
Council member Margo Thomas also thanked Edmondson for his service to the city. She said she had known him ever since she first moved to the city and knows him to be a man of his word, a person who does what he says he will do. She also commented that, when it comes to building and construction, Edmondson is very knowledgeable. “He knows his stuff,” she said. Thomas noted that a good team builds up and it is unfortunate that there are always those who want to tear down what is built.
Council member Rod Clardy said he was sorry to see Edmondson resign and noted that it is usually persons who don’t really know what is going on who are leveling criticism and “trying to stir up trouble.”
Edmondson spoke up and urged council members to “just stand by the current planning commission” because he believed they were on the right track.
Council member Jeff Davis said that, having recently transferred from the planning commission to the city council, he had seen it from both sides and acknowledged that he too felt the commission has made some positive changes.