AMERICUS — The Americus Mayor and Council meeting on Thursday began with a public hearing to receive citizen input concerning a request from Adkins Rental Hearings, LLC to rezone property located at 237 Wanda Way from R-1 (residential) to R-3 (multi-family residential). According to Angela Davis, community and economic director, a similar request was previously made by this company for the same property but the company had recently submitted a new request.

At the Council’s agenda-setting meeting on Monday, Councilmember Walton Grant stated that he had received a letter from an adjacent property owner, opposing the rezoning of the property. But Danny Adkins, owner of Adkins Rental, was the only person present at the public hearing and he was in favor of the rezoning. According to Adkins, his company is looking forward to developing the property. The proposed use of the property is the build 10 two-story apartments located in three separate buildings.

“The look will be geared towards townhouses. We are hoping to attract professional individuals. I have solicited support from surrounding landowners and we are hoping, if approved, to begin this process soon ... early spring,” said Adkins.

The Council will grant or deny the request at its next meeting in February.

Items on the consent agenda were light.

• Drain Easement: The Council approved a resolution accepting easements to move and replace a broken storm drain that discharged storm water from catch basins at the intersection of Felder and Henrietta streets.

• An ordinance amendment to the Code of Ordinances related to authorizing the digging of a well within the City limits in a planned mixed-use zoning district was denied.

• An alcoholic beverage license application for the Seafood Center was approved for the sale of mixed drinks on the premises.

• The Council approved a proposed master site plan, presented by Lose and Associates, for the Rees Park School building. The building was heavily damaged from the March 1 tornado. Grima, the insurance company for the City, is paying a large portion of the total to renovate the school with $1.2 million also coming from SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax). The master site plan outlines the detailed work to be done to the exterior of the building such as grading and clearing, erosion control, storm drainage, site furnishings, site signage, paving, trails, landscaping and irrigation, lighting, fencing and walls, a basketball court and playground, all totaling $698,658.

• The Council also approved the proposed interior design package as presented by Rosser International, Inc. The interior design plan includes projects such as the furnishing of the space, $133,760; auditorium draperies, $16,500 and the Grand Hall and entry area rugs at $3,500 for a total of $153,750.

• Davis also gave an update on the annual assessment done on the Main Street Program. According to Davis, the assessment went great. She said the four areas focused on in the assessment were organization, development, promotion and economic construction.

“Everything went well. And we just encourage everyone to continue to support the downtown businesses. Shop at home first ... that helps keep thedDowntown community alive and viable,” she said.

After all items were taken care of on the consent agenda, the Council went into other business, in which Rosa Delapapaz requested to address the Council concerning the driveway at Domino’s Pizza. According to Delapaz, the driveway is too close to her property, causing road blockage and a safety hazard for the children in the neighborhood.

“There is too much traffic, and those working at Domino’s have no respect for the blockades placed or any signs asking them not to use my property as a parking space. I live in that community because it is a beautiful historic district. It is peaceful and I enjoy living in the neighborhood. However, I no longer feel it is safe for my grandchildren to play outside because of the congested traffic,” said Delapapaz.

Delapapaz presented the Council with photos of the space and a petition from surrounding neighbors that also agreed with her. The Council informed Delapapaz that it was an issue that was currently being addressed.