By Shannon McFarlin, News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a busy meeting of the Paris Municipal Regional Planning Commission, the panel approved a subdivision plan for Phase 2 of the Emerald Lake Development, passed on to the city commission a proposed ordinance to allow micro-breweries and micro-distilleries, and discussed at length recommendations for standards for residential occupancy in commercial districts.
At the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting just prior to the planning commission session, the panel formally accepted the withdrawal of a request for a special use permit for a group care facility at 101 Dunlap St. t the Jason Taylor requested that his request be retracted. Foster said it is the city’s understanding that he now plans to put apartments in the building.
The commission welcomed James Smith as the new City Attorney. Smith is replacing the late Fred McLean, who was honored earlier this month by the city.
Wyatt Owens and Brent Owens submitted the plans for Phase 2 of the Emerald Lake Development on Volunteer Drive. Phase 2 is to be constructed at the rear of the existing Shoppes of Emerald Lake shopping center.
The plan includes 25 lots and an area designated as Phase 3 for possible future development.
Community Development Director Jennifer Morris said the plan had been presented to BPU, gas company, the 911 board, Public Works, and the Police and Fire Departments for review.
Morris said feedback has been received, with the Paris Fire Department saying the plan showed adequate space for emergency vehicles to turn around and the 911 board wanting to make sure that street names aren’t duplicated with existing streets.
After discussion, the planning commission approved the proposed construction plans contingent upon drainage issues being addressed and 911 approval of street names.
In other business:
–Planners approved a proposed ordinance to allow micro-breweries and micro-distilleries as a Special Uses Permit. The proposal will be presented to the City Commission for second and final reading at its October meeting.
–The planning commission approved a request to divest the city of an undeveloped right of way off of Ogburn Street. Morris said city staff is currently working through the process of identifying undeveloped right of ways within the city and determining whether or not it is in the city’s best interest to keep them or attempt to divest of them.
During this process a resident living adjacent to an undeveloped right of way between Ogburn and Blanton Streets expressed an interest in acquiring this right of way. She said staff believes that divesting the city of this undeveloped right of way would be in the city’s best interest.
–After much discussion, the planning commission began the process of amending standards for residential occupancy in commercial district.
Morris and City Manager Kim Foster said the city is wanting to be proactive in providing this to local businesses and industry in a manner that allows the city to have some control in the process. Nationwide and locally, industry and businesses are struggling to find and maintain an adequate workforce and providing housing is often a key issue.
Currently the zoning ordinance includes a section dealing with residential use and occupancy in a commercial district. It addresses residential use in several districts and included are these requirements:
Subject to building codes; More than 50% sf are required to be used as the commercial use; Exterior of the building must not resemble the residential use in any way.
The planning commission recommended the percentage of square feet be changed to 30 percent before it is presented to the city commission.
Photo: City planning commission discusses several agenda items. (Shannon McFarlin photo).