Over the past few months, two zoning cases have made their way through the Planning and Zoning Commission to the Paris City Council.
The first case involved a tax business that was operating illegally in a residential zone. Though the property owner requested a zoning change to ‘Neighborhood Service’, and the Planning and Zoning Commission approved it; Kim McCann submitted a neighborhood petition which then forced a supermajority vote on the City Council.
The supermajority wasn’t achieved, and the motion failed. The property will remain zoned as residential meaning the business is unable to continue to operate at that location.
The second case sitting in front of the Paris City Council is a current petition requested from Dr. James O’Bryan to rezone his neighboring property on Bonham St. to ‘Neighborhood Service’.
There is currently a legally-operating beauty salon on the property. The zoning change was again approved by Planning and Zoning and moved on to the City Council.
Once again, a neighborhood petition was submitted by Kim McCann that will force a supermajority vote on the City Council. With only five Council Members present Monday night, a supermajority would have been impossible to achieve.
The Public hearing was opened and will remain open until August 12, when the Paris City Council meets again.
However, whether or not the zoning request is approved, the beauty salon can continue to operate legally.
“This was a petition from Dr. James O’Bryan to rezone his property from Single Family (SF-2) to Neighborhood Service. A beauty salon currently legally operates on the property,” Lindsey said, “the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the zoning change, but a petition was submitted by many within the neighborhood which would force a supermajority vote on the Council.”
Other agenda items and issues discussed were; the council voted to approve an update to the Subdivision Regulations to enforce the Master Thoroughfare Plan. This will now require developers to follow guidelines and restrictions set by the City regarding streets built within developments.
Council also voted to amend and terminate the Tax Abatement Agreement, dated November 24, 2008; between the City of Paris and Campbell Soup Supply Company LLC. This was done at Campbell Soup Supply Company’s request.
Item 14, had Dr. AJ Hashmi and Lisa Mikatarian, representing on behalf of the Paris Film Festival Group, request that the City avoid planning Downtown construction around the dates set for the 2020 International Film Festival. Currently, the festival will be held in April of 2020 in Downtown Paris.
Item 15 had council vote in favor to lease the Event Center (located next to the fairgrounds) to Samantha Hughes for a cost of $1,200 per month. Councilwoman Knox (District 5) requested the additional income be reflected in the City’s upcoming budget.
Chamber of Commerce President Paul Allen presented a proposed budget for the Love Civic Center and the Visitors and Convention Council. With many new events are expected to be hosted in Paris over the next year, and Allen requested an additional $50,000 to prepare for these upcoming local events.
City Manager John Godwin also presented to the council during the meeting regarding the proposed Fiscal year 2019 – 2020 Budget. Public Hearings on the proposed budget will be held this September.
Godwin also requested that the council look at increasing some development fees as some haven’t been changed since the ’70s. The council was in agreement with this request.
Finally, the council voted to forgive specific Civil Penalties assessed against a property located at 801 W Washington St. It was determined that the amount of the penalties far exceeded the value of the property.
