Lot split returns to planners

GARFIELD — A lot split approved by the Planning Commission was denied by the City Council.

Charlie Pearce will appear before the Garfield Planning Commission Thursday, July 28, to again request a lot split. Pearce, with Elkhorn Liquors LLC, appeared at the July meeting.

“I hope the City Council will approve the Planning Commission’s recommendation,” Pearce

said, explaining that he has requested a parcel number from the county that will finalize his plans for financing of the opening of the store he plans to build on U.S. Hwy. 62.

Mayor Gary Blackburn asked Pearce’s projected date and Pearce said he anticipated breaking ground in 45 to 60 days.

“The building we’re building is a little bigger than the actual store for future growth,” Pearce said. “In the meantime, if we decide we don’t want to utilize it, we may try to rent that space out.”

After committee reports, the mayor said: “I entertain a motion to accept the Planning board’s conditional approval of Mr. Pearce’s application for a lot split.”

“I don’t see that on the agenda,” council member Kathrine Shook said.

“It was brought to my attention today. If we don’t take action on it today, they have to go back to square one,” the mayor said. “Is there a motion?”

The council did not approve the mayor’s recommendation.

“We’re traditionally agenda driven,” Shook said, referring to numerous items she has attempted to discuss at council meetings denied by the mayor because they weren’t on the agenda.

Planning Commission chairman Bill McClain resigned after the last Planning Commission meeting. The commission’s recommendation was not given to the mayor until the day of the council meeting.

Council member Malania Carter resigned in April and a replacement has not been named.

“With the recent resignation,” Shook said to Pearce, referring to the resignation of McClain, “… and appointing another council member, we’ll be better suited to make a better decision when we’re fully staffed. I greatly apologize.”

Speaking to Pearce, the mayor said: “You’ll need to go back to Planning Commission and redo. The council fails to take action on the recommendation, even though the planning commission approved it. The City Council refused to take action on it.”