City Council to Bypass P&Z Board
For the first time in at least a decade, the Grove Planning & Zoning Board will be bypassed by Grove City Council, when it discusses amendments to the city's height zoning restrictions Sept. 18.
The P&Z Board currently has two vacancies and will not hold a September meeting.
Normal Halterman resigned Aug. 16 and Bettie Kardos-Bishop, who has served on the board since 1997, did not wish to be re-appointed and her term ends in October.
Members of the P&Z board are upset that normal procedures are not being followed, to first post a notice of the proposed changes, then hold a public P&Z hearing on the matter.
In her resignation letter to Council, Mrs. Halterman said "it is extremely disheartening when, as in the past three to four months, any kind of positive growth in Grove seems to have reached a stalemate, in fact, we seem to be going backward rather than forward...it simply does not serve the public good when there exists an agenda to go backward to 'the good ole days' or 'the way things used to be' or continually casting aspersions toward persons who formerly occupied specific positions as well as saving positions of employment for a favorite 'bubba' when there is a vacancy....Keeping tensions at a high level is tremendously destructive to the kind of growth we need and would like to see in Grove."
There is no law requiring such matters to be first considered at a P&Z meeting before being taken up by City Council.
Sources told The Observer that the reason for the Sept. 18 discussion is that there are several developers waiting for approvals to build up to six-story high rise condominiums in Grove, one in particular at Barker's Marina on Wolf Creek.
The city's fire department does not have equipment for structures taller than three stories and a new truck would cost $1 million, sources said.
In addition, the new Grove Integris Hospital is thought to be the equivalent of five stories tall; the new Seneca Cayuga Casino on Highway 59 will have a five story hotel. At least two other condo developers have visited City Hall.
"We question the principle of holding a Council meeting on such changes without first having hearings by the Planning & Zoning Board," one member said. "Will the public have an opportunity to voice their opinions? Do we have the infrastructure, water and sewer, to support all of these buildings? Will we turn into another Lake of the Ozarks?"
Phone calls to City Manager Bruce Johnson for comment were not returned.
The P&Z Board currently has two vacancies and will not hold a September meeting.
Normal Halterman resigned Aug. 16 and Bettie Kardos-Bishop, who has served on the board since 1997, did not wish to be re-appointed and her term ends in October.
Members of the P&Z board are upset that normal procedures are not being followed, to first post a notice of the proposed changes, then hold a public P&Z hearing on the matter.
In her resignation letter to Council, Mrs. Halterman said "it is extremely disheartening when, as in the past three to four months, any kind of positive growth in Grove seems to have reached a stalemate, in fact, we seem to be going backward rather than forward...it simply does not serve the public good when there exists an agenda to go backward to 'the good ole days' or 'the way things used to be' or continually casting aspersions toward persons who formerly occupied specific positions as well as saving positions of employment for a favorite 'bubba' when there is a vacancy....Keeping tensions at a high level is tremendously destructive to the kind of growth we need and would like to see in Grove."
There is no law requiring such matters to be first considered at a P&Z meeting before being taken up by City Council.
Sources told The Observer that the reason for the Sept. 18 discussion is that there are several developers waiting for approvals to build up to six-story high rise condominiums in Grove, one in particular at Barker's Marina on Wolf Creek.
The city's fire department does not have equipment for structures taller than three stories and a new truck would cost $1 million, sources said.
In addition, the new Grove Integris Hospital is thought to be the equivalent of five stories tall; the new Seneca Cayuga Casino on Highway 59 will have a five story hotel. At least two other condo developers have visited City Hall.
"We question the principle of holding a Council meeting on such changes without first having hearings by the Planning & Zoning Board," one member said. "Will the public have an opportunity to voice their opinions? Do we have the infrastructure, water and sewer, to support all of these buildings? Will we turn into another Lake of the Ozarks?"
Phone calls to City Manager Bruce Johnson for comment were not returned.
Labels: Council Meetings
posted by Editor | 1:15 AM
2 Comments:
The smell around an area 3 to 4th sts. Broadway to Grand is beginning to get really bad, but don't worry folks, those of you that voted for the PAC will find comfort in that winter is coming on and those winter winds and cold weather will allow the stench to drift north rather than blanket Grove.
People of Grove had better pay attention to what is or could happen with the proposed revision of the Grove height restrictions. The reason given is a proposed condo at the old Barkers Marine. Also the new hospital. But once it becomes effective it will remove the present restriction of 35 feet all over town.
As a comparison, the new condos at Shangri-La are three stories tall. What is being requested is twice as tall. Imagine the remainder of Patricia Island being populated with 6 story tall condos.
My feelings are mixed. If this is what the citizens want then so be it. We too can look like the Lake of the Ozarks. The problem with this approach is the bypassing of the P&Z Board. As commented at the last City Council meeting, if Larry Parham is to be the person who determines what is needed then get rid of the boards and do it all at city council meetings, it is certainly within the law.
If this interested you then plan on attending the September 18 public hearing or forever hold your peace.
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