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Board to consider Sunday alcohol sales |
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Tuesday, 21 July 2009 |
By KELLY DANIELS
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Since the 2009 city campaigns began, the issue of seven-day-a-week alcohol sales has been gathering momentum.
And today, the new Starkville Board of Aldermen is expected to schedule a public forum to hear thoughts from local citizens on the issue.
The last administration held a public forum but took no action on the matter.
Currently, alcohol cannot be sold or bought on Sunday anywhere inside the Starkville city limits.
For seven-day sales to become a reality, the board would have to amend the “alcoholic beverages” section of the city code.
Zoning dispute
Also coming up today is a planning and zoning dispute between Frank Brewer, a developer, and a community of neighbors from Academy Place and Stonegate.
At issue is the zoning change from a general business (C-2) district to new single-family, medium density (R-3A) district.
The neighbors contend that R-3A is not compatible with the current makeup of Academy Road, which has no R-3 development.
Last week, the Planning and Zoning Commission sent a 3-1 recommendation to the Board of Aldermen to grant Brewer’s request. Ira Loveless voted against, and Jerry Emison and Jeremy Murdock were absent.
John Gaskin, spokesperson for Academy Place, has collected 86 signatures opposing Brewer’s zoning request.
Additionally, 14 out of 16 Stonegate residents are opposing the request.
State statutes allow municipalities to make a zoning change if there is a map error of if there is a change in the surrounding conditions enough to warrant change to the zone at issue.
Gaskin says no such change was proven last week, and no commissioner explained so before, during or after the motion was made.
In fact, Gaskin said, only commercial developments have occurred in the area.
“We have a new car wash, and land has recently been sold for commercial purposes,” he said.
“There is no property touching the road being used as a single family home,” he added, stating his preference for a commercial development rather than a subdivision allowed to have twice the homes per acre than his own neighborhood.
Gaskin also said that the commission acted out of impropriety.
“One member of the commission — last year he recused himself, but he voted for R-3A this time,” he said. “We’ve been thrown under the bus.”
If the board’s action does not turn in Gaskin’s favor, his group may seek court relief.
“We’re exploring all options,” he said.
The board will meet today at 1 p.m. in the City Hall courtroom on Lampkin Street to continue department budget presentations.
The regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen will convene at 5:30 p.m. today in the City Hall courtroom.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 23 July 2009 )
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