Minutes of the
REGULAR MEETING
For the
City Council of Lookout Mountain, Georgia
March 19, 2009
PRESIDING: Thomas G. Gifford, Mayor
PRESENT: Council Members David Bennett, Sandy Gothard, Catherine Kelley, City Attorney Bill Pickering, and City Clerk Dana Driver.
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Dennis Eischeid, David Fussell
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Gifford called the meeting of the City Council to order at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1214 Lula Lake Road, Lookout Mountain, Georgia.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the regular meeting held February 19, 2009 were approved as submitted.
SKOODAT, LLC - Kenneth and Donna McElrath presented a request for a privilege license to operate a virtual educational software company of their home at 1420 Wood Nymph Trail. There would be no signage outside and no customers would be coming to their home. After discussion and confirmation their business met the city guidelines it was moved, seconded and approved to grant the license as requested.
FRANK BROCK – Mr. Brock appeared before the Council to state that if the proposed PUD ordinance passes that he would hold public hearings to gather community input before the application of the proposed Chapelbrow development would be presented.
PROPOSED PUD ORDINANCE –
Due to the limited time since the public hearing and only have three Council members present, there was a very limited discussion on the PUD ordinance.
Councilman Gothard said the feedback he heard at the public hearing could be broken down into three main points. First, there is a need and desire for assisted living on the Mountain. A PUD ordinance is a good tool to control development, but, some who spoke thought the proposed ordinance needed revision. Finally, some felt the involvement of a land planner would be beneficial in the process.
Councilwoman Catherine Kelley said she appreciated all the feedback from the community and all the people that came. She cautioned that there were also concerns on tightening the PUD ordinance too much.
The Mayor thanked everyone who attended the public hearing and those who gave input. The Mayor scheduled a work session for Monday, April 6, 2009, 5:30 p.m. at City Hall to discuss the proposed PUD ordinance.
EXISTING FENCE ORDINANCE – AMENDMENT – The Mayor stated there was good feedback from the public hearing. After discussion from the April 6, 2009 public hearing, the Mayor suggested that the Council table the issue until more information is received. The reason for this was that the Council had been promised some information on new types of fences that might be applicable.
NUISANCE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – City Attorney Bill Pickering presented an ordinance that would amend Ordinance #4 and Ordinance #127. The main issue addressed in the amendment is to make it illegal to park cars in a yarn or on the street on a regular basis. After much discussion on how to deal with meetings, parties, etc., the ordinance was passed on first reading.
INVASIVE PLANT ORDINANCE – 2nd READING - Motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to pass the ordinance on 2nd reading prohibiting the use of invasive plants in new developments or plantings.
APPOINTMENT TO BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS - Mayor Gifford stated that Sally Wall and Tara Strang have agreed to renew their terms, which had expired, on the Variance Board. The motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the nominations of Mrs. Strang and Mrs. Walls to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
MONTHLY STORMWATER & SEWER REPORT – Copies of the current storm water activity report were distributed to the Council a copy of which is attached.
MAYOR’S REPORT
1) The Mayor thanked the Fairyland Club for the use of its facility for the March 16, 2009 public hearing.
2) City decals will go on sale April 1, 2009 and will cost $3.00 a vehicle until June 1, 2009.
3) The Mayor updated the Council with a copy of the police activity report for the month of February.
4) The City will be purchasing a new dump truck and will come in under budget.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Dana Driver