By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City Planning Commission had a full plate of requests presented to them on Tuesday, including one rezoning request that received a fair amount of objection.
Thomas Hughes represented his wife Jennifer Hughes and both Ricky and Alice Kellum in a request to rezone their Residential 2 property to Commercial 2 property. The Kellums own the property at 1509 North Division and the Hugheses own the property at 1527 North Division. Hughes explained that the purpose of the rezoning was to sell both properties as commercial lots.
"We are wanting to sell the lots as commercial-2," stated Hughes. "We considered selling the property as residential, but they are old houses and the utility bills are high." Jennifer Hughes then stated that their property was put up for sale as a residential property about 11 years ago, but they had a hard time selling the property.
Hughes was asked by chairman Danny Capps if the group had any plans on what would be built on the property.
"We have no plans yet," answered Hughes. "Since it (the property) is across from a school (the Calvary Christian School Inc. elementary campus), we don't want a liquor store or anything like that to be built there. We are willing to put any restrictions on the sale of the property that you would require."
Capps stated that a commercial-2 zone could include many different types of businesses, but the restriction on operating hours is 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Hughes stated that while they had no offers on the properties as of yet, the group was thinking about a shopping center or a restaurant could be built there.
Four residents of the neighborhood in which the property is located voiced their concerns about the rezoning of the property. Byron Ponder, a resident of Cardinal Drive, stated that he felt "it would be detrimental to the balance of the neighborhood," if a shopping center was placed there.
Another resident of Cardinal Drive, Ellen Stevens, stated that she did not want to live closer to a commercial property.
"I have improved my home and I want to stay there," commented Stevens. "I am a widow and I don't want to move. But I don't want to live near a shopping center either."
Robert Fallis of the Manor House Apartments stated that he felt it was an example of spot zoning.
"It would appear to me that if this rezoning passes, it would be something of a spot commercial zone in a residential zone. With the intersection there already congested, a commercial area would only add to that. I want it recorded that we at the Manor House are opposed to the rezoning request."
Lastly H.N. Green of Laughrun Drive echoed Fallis' concerns.
"I also feel that it would be a spot zone," stated Green. "I don't remember you doing this before. There are a lot of children in the area with the school across the street and there are two bus stops in the neighborhood. I think the rezoning would increase the traffic and make it more dangerous there."
Capps then stated that he felt that more information about what would be built was needed. "We like to know what is going to be built when we are asked to rezone property," commented Capps. "I can understand your wanting to sell the property, but I feel that it would cause potential traffic problems and that it would be a spot zone."
The commissioners unanimously voted to denied the request. Capps then stated that while the commission did not recommend the request to the Forrest City City Council, the group could still speak to the council and ask for the decision to be overruled.
In other action, the commissioners approved an eight foot variance from the 10 foot required setback on the west side of 233 Virginia Circle, presented by Denny Jarratt. The request was to build carport on the property.
Jeanne Boschert was also approved in her request for a conditional use permit to place a modular building at Lot #14 McCutchen, located behind the old Collins Clinic. The building will be used to as a classroom for the alternative school.
There was some confusion as to the size of the building, with was originally thought to be 12 feet by 56 feet. The actual size, according to the Boschert, would be 48 feet by 224 feet. Code enforcement officer Chester Crossen stated that the building would need to have a sprinkler system. Boschert then stated that the builder assured them that the building would have sprinklers and meet all codes requirements. The commission upon approving the three year conditional use permit asked Boschert to present something in writing from the builder about the modular building meeting code requirements.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
With notices on structural value popping into St. Francis County mailboxes recently, St. Francis County Assessor Craig Jones is letting homeowners know that they can question any new values beginning in the month of August.
According to a press release from Jones, tax values on new structures were mailed out earlier this month from Delta Mass Appraisal Services, the company contracted with the county to handle re-appraisals.
"Delta Mass Appraisal Services has mailed out their notices because by law they have to notify the taxpayers of the values that are being placed on new structures," Jones said.
According to Jones if a taxpayer is not satisfied with the value on the structure they can first contact Delta Mass Appraisal and if they are still unsatisfied petition to meet with the Board of Equalization from August until September.
"If you don't agree with their value then you need to call and talk to them. If you still have a problem after you visit with them you can schedule an appointment with the Board of Equalization which meets in August," Jones said.
According to officials with DMAS, approximately 500 notices on new construction were mailed out during the July mailing. The items included were new homes; mobile homes and room additions along with farm buildings and grain bins. Tommy Fisher of DMAS said that any homeowners with problems need to contact his office as soon as possible.
"It is easier to fix any problems now than if you wait until next year," Fisher said.
"If you get a notice, this will go on the tax roll for 2004 and you will pay taxes on this in 2005. If you have a problem with the value you need to see about it now because after the Equalization Board goes out of session in September it will be too late. Only the Board of Equalization can lower value after it has been added to the tax roll," Jones said.
To contact DMAS, call 630-1800.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
St. Francis County Justices of the Peace gave County Judge Carl Cisco approval Tuesday to name four people to a pair of county commissions.
By a 10-0 vote, justices approved the selections of James Cottrell and Herman Lewis to serve on the St. Francis County Indigent Care Board and the selection of Rujay Burke and Kevin Lewey to serve as members of the Transportation Commission.
Cottrell and Lewis were selected to replace Gwen Williams and Bill Ray on the Indigent Care Board. Williams and Ray were both replaced after their terms expired this year.
The selection of Lewey and Burke to serve on the Transportation Commission will now make that board a seven member board instead of its current five member makeup. Currently serving on the Transportation Commission are chairman Buzz Haven; Cecil Twillie, who serves as vice-chairman; Jack Crumbly who serves as secretary; treasurer Rausch Hodges and quorum court justice Regan Hill.
Early voting numbers have risen to over 100 as of this morning at the courthouse. A total of 107 St. Francis County voters have cast an early vote in the special election.
Early voting is being held in the St. Francis County Clerk's office from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Early voting will end on Monday, Aug. 2.
Voters will decide on Tuesday, Aug. 3 whether or not Forrest City will be allowed to transfer $125,000 of its portion of the countywide solid waste tax to the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce to be used for industrial recruitment and to hire an executive director. The $125,000 would be given to the Chamber for four years. Taxes will not increase if this measure passes.
Filings for the Madison City Council and for the Hughes School Board were submitted at the St. Francis County Clerk's office yesterday.
Ocie Williams Sr. will seek reelection to his Position 2 seat on the Madison council. Joe Meurrier is seeking an at large seat on the school board in Hughes.
The deadline those wishing to serve on any of the areas school boards is Monday, Aug. 9 Those who are seeking city council positions in Caldwell, Madison, Hughes, Colt and Palestine must file by Wednesday, Aug. 4, at the St. Francis County Clerk's office.