By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–It was a busy meeting for the Paris City Commission, which voted to reduce the scope of the Fairgrounds Rd./Royal Oak St. sidewalk project, continue its temporary moratorium on the establishment of new portable building sales, and heard a report on the former Emerson property.
Meeting Thursday evening, the Commission voted unanimously to scale back the scope of the sidewalk project in light of ongoing opposition by residents. After much discussion, Commissioner Sam Tharpe made the motion that project would now involve redoing the intersection of East Wood and Fairgrounds Rd., and placement of sidewalks down Fairgrounds Rd. to the county fairgrounds. ‘
During discussion, City Manager Kim Foster said the budget for the current, unchanged project is approximately $1.416M, about $200,000 over the initial budget; the cost of the project if the city eliminates the sidewalk south of the Fairgrounds along Royal Oak is $768,313; and the projected cost for only upgrades at the intersection of E. Wood and Chickasaw/Fairgrounds roads is $329,329.
TDOT confirmed that it would allow the city to “pull back the scope of the project to whatever extent we feel appropriate.”
If the city was required to go the condemnation route, it would involve “up to 10 properties that would required 7 lawsuits,” City Attorney James Smith said. “The issues are not complicated. The city would prevail based on the law, and it would cost $60-$80,000 in legal fees, and that doesn’t include the cost of paying for the properties.”
Members of the commission voiced support for Tharpe’s motion, with Mayor Kathy Ray saying, “We want to do what our citizens want us to do.”
At the October city commission meeting, Ron Davis, spokesman for the Fairgrounds Rd/Royal Oak Rd. group, presented a petition ‘strongly rejecting’ the city plan, saying it did not adequately address drainage issues in the neighborhood. He said the group isn’t against a new sidewalk per se, just the city’s plan.
In other business, commissioners voted to continue the temporary moratorium on allowing new businesses to establish new storage building sales until the city embarks on a comprehensive overhaul of its zoning policies.
Community Development Director Jessica Crouch said the city has experienced an influx of applications for new storage shed businesses. “The city is in the beginning stages of overhauling the zoning ordinance to better align with long-term community development goals and development standards”, she said.
“During this review period, the Planning Commission has determined that allowing new businesses focused on the sale or storage of portable buildings could create conflicts with the upcoming zoning changes,” she said. “The current zoning ordinance leaves this use open to interpretation; therefore the Planning Commission recommended a temporary moratorium on approval of these types of businesses to avoid confusion and protect the integrity of the planning process.”
Crouch said the moratorium would be in place until the revised zoning ordinance is finalized and approved, most likely from 12 to 16 months.
During the public comment section of the meeting, Karonel Plott voiced his disagreement with the moratorium. He had planned to start such sales at his East Wood St. property, which for years has sold automobiles.
Mayor Kathy Ray said the city “is trying to be fair with everyone. We’re in the process of looking at the zoning ordinance” as a whole and any applications for new sales “will be on hold while we are in that process”.
“It’s my luck, I guess,” Plott said.
–Rob Goad, Executive Director of the Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee, said a BRAG (Brownfield Redevelopment Area Grant) has been awarded to the city of Paris by TDEC for uses associated with environmental remediation of the old Emerson property. The property is being donated to the city by the current owner.
–Commissioners approved a rezoning request for property on Lone Oak Rd., Cornerstone Dr. and East Blythe St. The request involves six parcels zoned as Hospital-Medical and Related Services and one zoned Residential District, all of which are proposed for residential use. The change aligns with the long-term goals and future plans for the property. It was approved on first reading and forwarded to the planning commission.
–Foster said two bid openings will be held in December: the Rison Street Bridge replacement project, 2 p.m. December 10; and the Grant for four downtown intersections, also on December 10, 10 a.m.
Photo: Karonel Plott presents his views on the moratorium at last night’s meeting. Shannon McFarlin photo.