By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.—After hearing a report on the proposed relocation of a local Christian School, the Paris City Commission referred the matter to the Planning Commission, which will meet in regular session next Thursday evening.
Weston Classical School is presently located in the Paris Academy of the Arts building on Lee Street. It is a K-12 Christian School.
The Paris Fire Marshal has said that the space in the Arts Academy building is not up to code for a K-12 facility and Weston School officials are looking for another space.
Weston Classical School was originally located in the former Cottage Grove School building.
City officials said their proposed site for relocation is an existing building and parking area in the city limits. The standard requirements for schools in the city’s zoning ordinance requires a minimum of five acres plus one acre for each 100 students.
Weston School presently has an enrollment of less than 25 students.
The city ordinance only allows schools in residential zones; they are not allowed in commercial zones. Community Development Director Jennifer Morris said since the city’s ordinance was developed, “the culture has changed and there are more private and church-based schools in existence now than at that time.”
The Planning Commission will be studying the issue for a possible recommendation on Thursday evening.
In other business:
–The commission approved on second reading an ordinance which would restrict residences on ground floor levels or basements of the buildings in the Downtown Business District. The issue has been discussed at previous meeting after the city had inquiries regarding residential uses on the ground floor of buildings around the court square.
Community Development Director Jennifer Morris said the city’s concern was that residences there could ultimately compromise the retail shopping and service mix that is currently enjoyed downtown. After the city researched the issue, their findings were presented to the planning commission, which recommended that an ordinance prohibit ground floor residences.
–The commission also approved on second reading an ordinance which will allow free standing signs on properties in the Downtown Business District that are not considered ‘zero lot line’, as recommended by the planning commission.
Photo by Jennifer Morris.