Cloverdale reviews zoning issues

Friday, March 6, 2009

Board of Zoning Appeals

CLOVERDALE -- Board of Zoning and Appeals members received a small lesson in abandoned vehicle and unsafe building laws courtesy of attorney Alan Yackey Thursday evening.

It is the first time the board has had to deal with the situation and is working its way through the process.

Efforts to have unsafe buildings and the disarray of vehicles cleaned up have not been futile. The town has determined to begin the clean-up process with a now vacant house located at 203 S. Lafayette St.

The house has been inspected and deemed unsafe by a building inspector. It has severe structural issues; a water heater that was red tagged so long ago it is unreadable; and it has a hazardous heating system.

Yackey stated safety, especially the safety of children who may play in or around the unsound structure, is of number one concern.

Back in February, Yackey asked for a special meeting to be scheduled with BZA members to discuss the next move. That meeting has been slated for 7 p.m. March 19, when anyone contesting the demolition should be present.

Some members wanted to know if they could take a look at this particular piece of property before having to make a decision.

"There is nothing in public record saying you can not take a look," Yackey informed them.

Next on the agenda are the approximately 17 vehicles at U.S. 231 and Cemetery Road. The town has been working to have the mess removed under a state abandoned vehicle law.

More will be done on these issues at the next Cloverdale Town Council meeting Tuesday at town hall.

Plan Commission

CLOVERDALE -- Work by the planning board on zoning ordinances is continuing. Since April 2008, the five-member board has been busy overhauling the town's ordinances and bringing them up to date.

During its meeting Thursday night, the board received subdivision control ordinances from Attorney Alan Yackey. It will start reviewing only a third of the ordinance, which contains things like definitions, before next month's meeting.

Yackey reminded the board to review the ordinance with anticipation of town growth.

A new map is being prepared.

An ASA representative was present at the meeting and made plans to update the town's zoning map. As of right now, there will be 17 changes made. Some of the changes include adding three to four areas that are currently not zoned into the town.

Board members voted to have the first map done before the April meeting at a cost of $300.

A concern over whether the Valley Girls Exercise business is in compliance with a zoning ordinance was addressed.

The zoning on the property is considered general commercial use with some exceptions. None of the exceptions include running a gym.

The only foreseen problem could be with the additional parking space. It was originally leased by the former pizza delivery business with the understanding dust issues would be maintained.

The pizza business closed before that agreement was fulfilled, leaving plan commission with some questions.

"We want things to be done right," noted Plan Commission President Jerry Acrea.

The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. April 2 at town hall.

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  • clean up the whole town. It looks so "depressed".

    3 out of 4 properties look like trash.

    I am embarrassed by what I see, many other people should be too.

    -- Posted by mal on Fri, Mar 6, 2009, at 9:18 AM
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