Americus’ city council denies zoning request

Beth Alston

AMERICUS — A rezoning request from the Americus VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) was denied by the Americus City Council at its regular monthly meeting Thursday.

Mandy Young, director of community and economic development for the City, said that Georgia Power Co. has an easement on the property at 1302 Crawford St., on which the VFW had proposed to place a used car lot. A letter from Georgia Power to the City says it cannot authorize this type “of encroachment on our lines.”

Council member Juanita Wilson, chairman of the community development committee, made a motion to deny the rezoning request which was seconded by Carla Cook and received a unanimous vote.

In other business, Mayor and Council recognized Lynn Bailey, honorary council member for March. Bailey said she had enjoyed spending time with the City officials and learning what goes on behind the scenes in City government.

Thomas Jordan was sworn in by Mayor Barry Blount as a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals.

A public hearing was held on a rezoning request from Colleen Anderson who wants to rezone 1501 Crawford St. from R-1 residential to R-2 residential to establish a real estate business. There were no dissenters. The Council will vote on the matter at its April meeting.

The Council voted to approved the following items on its consent agenda:

• Mutual aid agreement with Georgia Southwestern State University.

• Drainage easement at 334 Academy St. contingent on receipt of the survey.

• Drainage easement at 106 Aaron Snipes Sr. Drive contingent on receipt of the survey.

• Extension of the coverage area for Americus Transit to include specified areas outside the City of Americus limits contingent upon the approval of an intergovernmental agreement with Sumter County.

The Council also heard first readings on the following:

• Home Rule Charter Amendment which authorizes the City to establish, operate and maintain a stormwater utility.

• Secured Structure Permit Ordinance which provides for securing safe structures, permitting of such and also the temporary permitting for dangerous structures, and reoccupancy requirements.

• Right of Public Official Ordinance, which relates to the former.

• Amendment to Chapter 58 to provide for public officials to enter property to inspect in connection with nuisance investigations and for enhanced penalties.

• Stormwater Utility Enterprise Fund Ordinance.

In other business, the Council:

• Suspended the rules and approved a budget amendment to the 2009 budget.

• Approved acceptance of a grant from Homeland Security for $15,000 for HazMat for Americus Fire and Emergency Services.

• Approved an ordinance amendment related to N-S District (neighborhood shopping) regarding permitted uses within the Neighborhood Shopping District. This allows for pet grooming businesses but not pet boarding.

• Approved changes in the rental rates and revised contract for use of the Rees Park Economic Development Center.

• Approved the appointment of Wade Bartlett to a three-year term on the Board of Zoning Appeals.

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