The Trenton City Council approved changes in the city?s land use ordinance and discussed a number of other topics during a meeting on Monday night at city hall.
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The Trenton City Council approved changes in the city?s land use ordinance and discussed a number of other topics during a meeting on Monday night at city hall.
On a 5-0 vote, the council approved a new section of the land use ordinance, which City Administrator Kerry Sampson said addressed two major concerns that have come before the city recently as well as make minor changes in other areas. There were some questions by council members about the ordinance and Sampson noted that the document ?is a work in progress,? adding that changes will most likely continue to be made as situations come before the city that may not be addressed in the ordinance.
One of the major changes concerns signs in residential areas, with the ordinance now allowing certain signage for home-based businesses. The types of signs, along with the size and where they are to be placed, are included.
The second change concerns requirements for home occupations, which Sampson said now requires a conditional use permit be obtained.
Mayor Gary Hall noted that the Planning and Zoning Commission has spent many hours refinding the ordinance and encouraged the council to approve it.
Voting in favor of the ordinance were Dr. Nick McHargue, Steve Perry, Kenneth Ewing, Don Peyton and Gary Hurst. Jackie Soptic, Troy Smith and Larry Crawford were absent.
Also approved on a 5-0 vote was a resolution, outlining the city? written policy to comply with the state?s Open Meetings Law.
In other business, Sampson told the council that work was back on track to explore whether or not an air ambulance service would locate a unit in the area and whether or not Trenton might be the site. Sampson said that while a decision still has not been reached in regard to having a helicopter in this area, the city would continue efforts to get the unit located in Trenton should that decision be a positive one. He noted there have been others in the community who are working on the city?s behalf, but asked for suggestions from councilmen, if they so desired to provide them.
An appointment to the Board of Public Works was postponed until the next meeting as the mayor said he would like to have more councilmen present when a vote is taken.
City Street Supervisor Larry Griffin said that seal and chip work was done on Town and Country Lane, Country Club Place and East Fourth and Fifth streets on Monday, with work to continue on other designated streets today and Wednesday. Musselman and Hall is doing the project, which will include work on Princeton Road, from 17th to 21st streets; 17th Street, from Chestnut Street to Oklahoma Avenue; Tinsman Avenue, from 10th to 11th streets; and Crowder Road, from Mable to Merrill streets and west, if bid price permits. Griffin said that city crews would return to those areas in about two weeks to remove the excess chip debris.
Sampson, in response to a question from Carolyn Garcia, said the city has been paying to have property in the block grant demolition program mowed. The properties in question are those in the process of being cleaned up and, according to Sampson, have been the subject of complaints by neighbors.
John Beier, who conducts inspections on a part-time basis, reported to the council on a roofing concern expressed at an earlier council meeting by a resident. Beier said the roof addressed the concern in the manner in which the two men had discussed.
The mayor thanked Mrs. Garcia for providing 200 yards of yellow ribbon, which he said will be used to tie on poles around the city to recognize members of the 1221st Transportation Unit of the National Guard when they return home.