|
||||
  
 
 |
Nibley postpones rezone vote By
Stefanie Snow NIBLEY -- The City Council postponed a vote on Charles Ames' request to rezone his property at 15 East Mill Road for commercial use in Thursday's meeting until future discussion on the subject gives the council more clarity. Ames' request didn't specify what commercial businesses would come in, but he mentioned his idea was to install low-key professional offices for doctors or dentists, not necessarily including sales-oriented businesses. A public hearing was also held Thursday so the council could hear opinions on how a commercial area would affect the character of Nibley. Councilman Waite said he would like to see a little more planning go into the request so the council can accurately measure the impact, and he also voiced concerns that commercial development is difficult to control once it is allowed. "What's to prevent some future person to come in and put a big McDonald's there?" he asked. Ames said with increased residential development there needs to be some commercial development to serve the residents' needs. "This town has turned into a subdivision," Ames said, "I'm talking about a place where Nibley residents can go to do their business." His request was submitted to get an idea of what the people think about it before he spends a lot of time and energy planning the specific businesses that would go there. Residents in attendance raised concerns about increased traffic, visual alterations and the ever-present threat to Nibley's rural atmosphere. The mayor and several council members reminded everyone that the rural living that many of them moved to Nibley for is gone and the only way to avoid becoming another suburb is to maintain some level of control over the inevitable development. Councilman Hansen said the planning and zoning board approved Ames request because it fit Nibley's general plan, asking the people where the public input was when the plan was developed. In other business, the council heard a report from Bryan Hansen on the possibility of widening Hollow Road to include a bike path. Hansen said he took an informal survey of Hollow Road residents and 55 percent of them would like to see a bike path next to the road. In addition to concerns over increased speed and danger to pedestrians, Hansen said the most complicated part would be the deeding of two or three feet from property owners to the city. The land would either have to be dedicated or purchased, and Mayor Welker says purchasing is not possible with current financial circumstances. The council discussed taking a formal poll of Hollow Road residents to guage who would be willing to dedicate their land. The council unanimously approved a conditional use permit and business license for Jana Pulsipher, who plans to open floral design and hair styling business in her home. The "Giving Tree" will serve as a temporary place for Pulsipher's daughter to cut hair, although she is married and doesn't live in the home. Planning and Zoning Chairman Steve Farnes said his board disapproved of the hair styling business because a home occupation is intended for residents of the home only. After much discussion about the impact on the community and of precedents of home occupations with outside employees, the council voted unanimously to approve. The motion was based on current revisions of city ordinances which allow for outside workers. Another unanimous vote granted preliminary approval for two more subdivisions on 800 West. Shadow Brook subdivision at 2801 South will help fulfill the state requirement for affordable housing and will also include an open lot to serve as a small park. Milt Campbell and Rod Blossom received preliminary approval for Clearcreek Subdivision at 2300 South, which will consist of lots averaging 14,000 square feet in accordance with R-2A zone requirements.
|
Archived Months:
January
1999 January
2000 January
2001 |
||