Staff Reports
Jefferson’s regular City Council meeting Tuesday night was partially dominated with issues surrounding the approval of building permits.
The discussions started off with a presentation by Gerald Lynn over the destruction of a “green space” near his property on Camp Street.
Lynn has been maintaining a 23x160ft green space along a drainage ditch on the far side of an undeveloped section of Rusk Street which runs along one side of his property. According to Lynn, the green space was made up of a mix of privet hedge and wisteria and blocked the view of the properties on the other side of Rusk Street. Lynn has spent his own funds to gravel part of the street and maintains the side of the space facing his property.
Recently, Council approved a building permit to develop the property on the other side of the green space. In doing so, the property owner chose to have the green space mulched and opened up to that section of Rusk Street to his property.
“Why did council vote 6-0 to destroy the green space?” Lynn asked. “I just want information so that I’m satisfied.”
“Council didn’t vote to destroy the green space,” said Baker. “Council gave a building permit to the Murry family. Someone bought the property and wanted to develop it. We need to protect drainage and utilities. The fact is the natural hedge was taken down. They are putting up new hedges and trees to replace it. That day that didn’t seem to resonate at all with you. We just gave a building permit. It’s unfortunate, but we talked about the hedges and trees to replace it.”
“I’m 73,” replied Lynn.
Ward 1 Alderman David Westbrook said he’d reviewed the permit and the change to the green space was not part of the permit. “We owed it to the homeowner for Council to make a decision about this.”
Ward 3 Alderman Richard Turner agreed that “maybe we need to ask more questions during the permit process. Maybe there’s a better way to do this down the road.”
“A person should not assume it’s OK to clean a right of way that’s the city’s,” said Ward 2 Alderman James Parsons. “In the future people need to clarify [their intent].”
Council then addressed a previously tabled building permit by Nicky Williams to place a mobile home at 909 St. John Street. Last month Council debated whether the property was in an area where mobile homes are allowed.
“Several attorney’s have now reviewed the ordinance, and it’s in a legal area for mobile homes,” said City Administrator Eric Kuykendall.
Council approved the request 6-0.
Additional building permits submitted were also approved including:
• Greg and Ginger Pope’s addition of an additional self-storage unit at E Whelan and N. Alley
• Jeff Sofich’s addition of a carport at 310 S. Jackson Street
• TJ St. Denis’s addition of a garage at 408 W. Lake Street
• Jeffery Ponder Investment Trust to add a balcony along the front of the building at 114-120 W. Lafayette Street
A brief discussion was held before approving a request by Troy Hines to add additional parking spaces for a “specialty BnB” at 1500 MLK Blvd. Hines has purchased the property and plans on using it as a “vacation rental that will host a maximum of 12 women overnight and will have individual tables for them to work on their crafts (scrapbooking, quilting, and other similar crafts).” Baker told Council, while not a traditional BnB, the property would still be subject to Hotel Occupancy Tax collections.
Joe McDonald made both a request to install sidewalks on a portion of Vale and Dallas streets adjacent to property he owns, as well as a request to purchase 10 feet of street right of way along Dallas Street on which to install the sidewalk.
“The Dallas Street area has taken off,” said McDonald. “A lot of people walk in this area. This will be a benefit to visitors to Jefferson.”
“We started something years ago that needs to be stopped now,” said Turner, referring to the City’s practice of selling portions of alleyways and streets to individuals.
McDonald’s proposal would narrow the paved portion of Vale Street to 35 feet, according to McDonald. McDonald also requested the City pay for the sidewalk on Vale Street while he would pay for the one on Dallas.
Council tabled both requests to obtain additional information.
Lastly, Council addressed a request, previously tabled, by the owners of the Jefferson Hotel to widen the sidewalk along the southern portion of Vale Street adjacent to the Hotel.
“We got a quote from Lawler Construction for $14,000, to make it ADA compliant,” said Kuykendall. “We also received another quote from Joe McDonald for $3,500 to remove the existing bushes and replace the sidewalk. It’s more work for less cost.”
The new sidewalk would be slightly narrower than the one under the balcony at the front portion of the hotel, but would be a natural transition as there are utilities in that location which pedestrians have to go around already.
Council approved the $3,500 bid for the work.