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legally. . . You don’t hear — you say ‘we want this, we want that’ — give US what WE want.”
J. Newbill Miller, former mayor and council member, said, “This is a perfect example of overzoning (for) more than you demand. Mr. DeBergh wouldn’t have gotten a permit if we thought he was going to do that(propose a retail use for his property). Where do you draw the line? (The town could be) commercial from one end of town to the other. The fact of the matter is there is not enough business in town to support the commercial zones already.”
Mayor Morehouse added that “everybody can come to council to go through the rezoning process if they disagree.”
“Or go to court,” Dorothy Davis retorted.
Jim Thomasson argued that “it’s fairer to the average citizen to make application for a special use permit rather than rezone. Mixed use should contain residences which could potentially be made into businesses. I agree with Nan’s plan.”
Mr. Reynolds replied, “It’s a judgement call which areas (are suitable) for what. Spot zoning is a bad idea — we’re not going to do it. The Thomasson plan gives a large block to commercial uses — the commission plan is given to the protection of residential areas around the existing business district.”
“I bought into a sleepy village. We are all here because we chose to be here. You are comfortable with rezoning. Camille and Pat are not comfortable with the intricacies of rezoning,” Mr. Thomasson said.
Mr. Reynolds again defended the commission’s plan. “There’s (not enough) business to fill the existing commercial area, also no parking, water, sewer, roads. When that area is filled another area which suits the general good — not individual welfare — will be zoned commercial. You cannot approve one property in a mixed use zone and deny another. . . so the uses will spread hodgepodge, instead of filling in the center (of town) and spreading out.”
Mr. Miller said that “(I see) history repeating itself — one year ago at the elementary school. (The county) lost momentum and we still don’t have an ordinance. ... if you wait until you know zoning you’ll never get it. This is a good document. . . To have more than four or five properties which could be changed into mixed-use is a mistake. The shops are not doing that well. The Thomasson plan (is a problem with) parking requirements; the soil types on the west side of Main Street are as bad as can be.
“I was mayor for 10 years and member of council for two years. . . Not getting a revised zoning ordinance enacted (was) the biggest mistake since I’ve been a public official.”
Following a spirited discussion among the council members, Mrs. Thomasson said, “I have a problem in adopting anything. We’ve heard too much — it’s too late to work on it. Both plans need work, but I think we can come to an agreement.”
At that point the council, over the objection of Mr. Wickens, voted to defer any decision until the August 20 meeting, to be held at 8 p.m.
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