Athens City Council was criticized about one matter and was careful to avoid scrutiny about another Monday night.
At a public hearing to address the possibility of rezoning the residential housing district between Utah Place and Townshend Avenue, citizens both condemned and praised the city zoning board’s recommendation to make the whole area single-family housing.
Changing the zoning code would put the financial burden on property owners who would otherwise profit from multi-family housing in duplexes or apartments, said Bill Walker, an attorney representing Good Incorporated, a real-estate business.
“It’s eliminating (Good Inc.’s) financial investment that they have put into their (five) lots,” Walker said. “Who is going to buy a lot to build a single-family home?”
The board’s recommendation isn’t legally valid because it wasn’t submitted to Council before its expiration date, Walker said.
“I’m asking Council to send this (recommendation) back to the zoning commission,” he said. “Any way you interpret the regulations governing the process here, the application was not submitted to (Council) within the 90 day stipulation.”
Not all in attendance opposed the recommendation, though; some said the construction of apartments would sacrifice their property value.
“(Construction of apartments) risks financial value,” said Athens resident Betty Sexton. “We just want to protect the nice houses and yards surrounding our nice houses and yards.”
Council will discuss the property value implications in two weeks at the next planning and development committee meeting, said Councilwoman Chris Fahl, D-4th Ward.
Led by Councilwoman Chris Knisely, D-at large, Council was careful to justify the possibility of a pay increase for council members in 2014.
“This is so a lot of people consider (running for Athens City Council) and have an opportunity to serve,” Knisely said. “Other citizens may decide to run for office.”
Council members deserve a raise to reflect inflation, said Councilman Kent Butler, D-1st Ward, who added that council members have had the same salary — $7,462 — since they voted to freeze their wages in 2009.
“At the time we were worried about some grave fiscal issues and it made complete sense,” Butler said. “So I see merit in a new one percent raise in the future because of cost of living (has increased).”
While serving as a councilmember is technically a part-time job, its constant commitments make it very demanding, said Mayor Paul Wiehl.
“You’re public servants so you’re never really off the clock,” Wiehl said. “You can’t walk down the street without someone telling you what needs to be done and what needs to be changed.”
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