Staff Reports
Jefferson will have an official Historic District if City Council approves the recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission from Tuesday night’s meeting.
The National Register recognized and awarded a Jefferson Historic District back in 1971, and the State of Texas Historic Commission recognized the district in 1977, but the City of Jefferson never acted to formally adopt the district.
“The designation has no requirements, nor does it carry any regulations or restrictions, but it completes the actions started by the Marion County Historical Commission back in 1971,” Commission member Hugh Lewis said. “This is a good first step and it will clear up some ordinances which reference the district. There have been a lot of different understandings of where the district is and this will establish the boundaries in compliance with what the National Registry recognized.”
The Commission approved the recommendation 6-0.
P&Z also heard a request from JISD Superintendent Michael Walker about possible zoning of a section of US59 N between Whelen and Sedberry Streets as Commercial so the school can upgrade the marquee sign and provide local advertising as well as promoting school events.
TxDOT requires that a billboard be in a commercial zone if it is to be used for commercial purposes or be within 800 feet of a business that is open at least 30 hours a week.
Family Dollar is the closest business but is still outside the footage requirement.
Lewis motioned that P&Z make zoning along the US59 corridor a priority to define and to have that definition completed by Dec. 31, 2023.
Lewis said he felt that would give a deadline to the commission and allow plenty of time for input from the community and property owners. It passed 6-0.
The Commission will also combine the next two Town hall meetings for Wards 1 and 3 onto April 13, from 5-7p at the Transportation Center. They had originally scheduled to use April 20, but it conflicted with the Candidate Forum sponsored by the Jimplecute.
The town halls are intended to allow the public to provide input on what issues they see in their wards and how the Commission may help resolve those issues.
The meetings are open to residents of all wards. They will meet again on May 2.