By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—There was a full house for Thursday night’s meeting of the Paris City Commission and the bulk of those in attendance spoke out against a rezoning request from Scott Herman to rezone 1016 Memorial Drive to allow construction of duplexes.
Property owners on that street spoke strongly against the rezoning, citing their feelings that the neighborhood is not a good location for multi-family dwellings. Residents said it’s an established neighborhood, with mostly elderly people who know each other and that they did not want duplexes which would mean people moving in and out all the time.
The neighbors spoke during a public hearing that preceded the meeting and even though it was only the first reading of the request, commissioners voted unanimously to turn down the request.
Three other zoning requests were approved following public hearing: rezoning 246 Memorial Drive from B-1 to TRB; rezoning 600 Russell Street from M-2 to B-1; and rezoning 805 E. Wood Street from R-2M to B-1.
Also following a public hearing at the outset of the meeting, the commission approved an ordinance which will increase wastewater rates from Paris BPU. The proposed ordinance has been discussed previously at both BPU and city meetings.
City Parks Director Tony Lawrence said the downtown public restrooms will be completed “any day now”. They are being constructed in the downtown park at the corner of W. Wood and Market Streets. “They will be done before Christmas”, Lawrence said.
Foster said the city continues to install LED lights throughout the city. “They are 35 percent complete right now,” she said.
In other business:
–Lawrence announced that the Parks Department and KPAC won a Four Star Award in Excellence for its 2017 Summer Arts Program.
–City Manager Kim Foster said renovations are ongoing at City Hall. Cary Henson Construction of Jackson was awarded the job as contractor and JC Educational was awarded the bid on office furniture. Work will continue through March and work will be conducted in phases to minimize disruption.
Menu
