Feb. 9, 2010
Zoning Petitions, Special Use Permits Increase
Jackson Voices Lone Opposition; Keeping It Equal, Mayor’s and Council Appointment Goes to Personnel Committee First
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- Believing passing on increased costs to petitioners for zoning and special permit changes does not contribute to a more business friendly environment, Council woman Frances Jackson cast the lone NO vote on the three interrelated items.
Although extending notification from 200 to 400 feet and adding occupants instead of simply property owners has the support of some occupants, Ms. Jackson voted “leave it the way it was ,” which would not force businesses requesting alterations to bear costs of compliance.
“We want to have more business here and encourage it,” Jackson said. “To me, that’s not encouraging it. I think this adds more costs to them. They are already putting out enough money as it is.”
The issue came to a head in December when a proposed developer asked to build apartments and low income housing on the South Side. Many of those attending meetings told council that they had not been notified, particularly those most affected by the development.
As a result, council’s Planning Committee devised the ordinance that doubles the radius for mandatory notification and adds renter notification also. The latter had previously been debated; some council members feel long term renters have earned the “vested” interest for notification, but originally, the recommendation included only property owners.
The radius increase for special permit applications, zoning changes and occupancy certificates likely will add about $50 to notification costs. The City can only pass on its expenses, according to a legal interpretation. Costs of notifying renters will vary depending upon the number within the radius.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
After a glitch in the committee appointee process glared during vacancies on the Tri State Transit Authority Board, council has insisted that ALL appointees be interviewed by members of the personnel committee. Neither Mayor Kim Wolfe or Councilman Jim Ritter had spoken with the committee, so the vote on their appointment to the Airport Authority has been delayed until they meet with council’s committee.
EXPEDITIOUS MEETINGS
One might scratch their heads concerning the new and improved council committee process, which refers proposed ordinances/appointments/resolutions to an appropriate committee before it comes to the full council. However, former councilman Chuck Polan indirectly gave the process a thumbs up, when he told council chairman Jim Insco, “you run a much more efficient meeting” [than when I was on council].
Afterward, Insco credited the committee process with shorter and more efficient council meetings and work sessions.
Complementing Mr. Polan as a great mentor with much knowledge to pass on to current council members, Insco explained that “the committee processes of council” are working and our “meetings are running smoother.” Due to the committee stop, “everybody knows what is going on” before an ordinance or resolution comes to the full body.
Insco stated that sometimes a proposal from a fellow council member is “sometimes a lot easier to swallow” than one which originates elsewhere. He particularly stressed, though, there is no mistrust between council and the administration.
STRONG PROFESSIONAL MAYOR
Speaking during the Good and Welfare portion of the meeting, former council member Chuck Polan extended kudos to the “professional management and leadership” of Mayor Kim Wolfe.
Polan indicated that he was on council when, as he put it, “the strong mayor experiment” was put to the voters as a charter alteration. As Polan stated the experiment did not succeed until 2009 when Mayor Wolfe took office.
Handing compliments to Wolfe and his staff for the “bases loaded home run” regarding the municipal pensions, “the major raw ingredient was the leadership of Mayor Wolfe,” Polan said.
A life long Huntington resident, Polan added “ you are doing a better job cleaning streets than I can remember.”
POLICE CRUISERS
Council unanimously approved the use of drug forfeiture money (or as Scott Caserta likes to chime, the bad guys pay for their own apprehension) to purchase six Chevrolet Impalas to replace older, worn out vehicles used by the detective bureau.
DELINQUINT FEE LIST
The administration has released a list of 2,333 delinquent municipal fee accounts, but it is not yet available on line. According to reports, the owed money comes to over four million dollars. Not all of that is collectable, though, since some entities or residents have left town, died, filed bankruptcy or sold the property.
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Zoning Petitions, Special Use Permits Increase
Jackson Voices Lone Opposition; Keeping It Equal, Mayor’s and Council Appointment Goes to Personnel Committee First
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- Believing passing on increased costs to petitioners for zoning and special permit changes does not contribute to a more business friendly environment, Council woman Frances Jackson cast the lone NO vote on the three interrelated items.
Although extending notification from 200 to 400 feet and adding occupants instead of simply property owners has the support of some occupants, Ms. Jackson voted “leave it the way it was ,” which would not force businesses requesting alterations to bear costs of compliance.
“We want to have more business here and encourage it,” Jackson said. “To me, that’s not encouraging it. I think this adds more costs to them. They are already putting out enough money as it is.”
The issue came to a head in December when a proposed developer asked to build apartments and low income housing on the South Side. Many of those attending meetings told council that they had not been notified, particularly those most affected by the development.
As a result, council’s Planning Committee devised the ordinance that doubles the radius for mandatory notification and adds renter notification also. The latter had previously been debated; some council members feel long term renters have earned the “vested” interest for notification, but originally, the recommendation included only property owners.
The radius increase for special permit applications, zoning changes and occupancy certificates likely will add about $50 to notification costs. The City can only pass on its expenses, according to a legal interpretation. Costs of notifying renters will vary depending upon the number within the radius.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
After a glitch in the committee appointee process glared during vacancies on the Tri State Transit Authority Board, council has insisted that ALL appointees be interviewed by members of the personnel committee. Neither Mayor Kim Wolfe or Councilman Jim Ritter had spoken with the committee, so the vote on their appointment to the Airport Authority has been delayed until they meet with council’s committee.
EXPEDITIOUS MEETINGS
One might scratch their heads concerning the new and improved council committee process, which refers proposed ordinances/appointments/resolutions to an appropriate committee before it comes to the full council. However, former councilman Chuck Polan indirectly gave the process a thumbs up, when he told council chairman Jim Insco, “you run a much more efficient meeting” [than when I was on council].
Afterward, Insco credited the committee process with shorter and more efficient council meetings and work sessions.
Complementing Mr. Polan as a great mentor with much knowledge to pass on to current council members, Insco explained that “the committee processes of council” are working and our “meetings are running smoother.” Due to the committee stop, “everybody knows what is going on” before an ordinance or resolution comes to the full body.
Insco stated that sometimes a proposal from a fellow council member is “sometimes a lot easier to swallow” than one which originates elsewhere. He particularly stressed, though, there is no mistrust between council and the administration.
STRONG PROFESSIONAL MAYOR
Speaking during the Good and Welfare portion of the meeting, former council member Chuck Polan extended kudos to the “professional management and leadership” of Mayor Kim Wolfe.
Polan indicated that he was on council when, as he put it, “the strong mayor experiment” was put to the voters as a charter alteration. As Polan stated the experiment did not succeed until 2009 when Mayor Wolfe took office.
Handing compliments to Wolfe and his staff for the “bases loaded home run” regarding the municipal pensions, “the major raw ingredient was the leadership of Mayor Wolfe,” Polan said.
A life long Huntington resident, Polan added “ you are doing a better job cleaning streets than I can remember.”
POLICE CRUISERS
Council unanimously approved the use of drug forfeiture money (or as Scott Caserta likes to chime, the bad guys pay for their own apprehension) to purchase six Chevrolet Impalas to replace older, worn out vehicles used by the detective bureau.
DELINQUINT FEE LIST
The administration has released a list of 2,333 delinquent municipal fee accounts, but it is not yet available on line. According to reports, the owed money comes to over four million dollars. Not all of that is collectable, though, since some entities or residents have left town, died, filed bankruptcy or sold the property.
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