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Baker parcels tabled at P and Z
New members hold off on decision

<br>Patrick Whitehurst/WGCN<br>
Williams Planning and Zoning commissioners tabled a decision on rezoning the Baker parcel July 17.

<br>Patrick Whitehurst/WGCN<br> Williams Planning and Zoning commissioners tabled a decision on rezoning the Baker parcel July 17.

Planning and Zoning commissioners with the city of Williams were unable to make a determination regarding a zone change request during their recent meeting July 17 due to the fact that two of their commissioners were not present for the matter and two others would have to be recused from the decision making process, as they live near the parcels in question. Five commissioners were present for the meeting.

Williams Interim City Clerk Harry Holmes said the matter had to be tabled despite the presence of a quorum.

"There were five members but two of the members would have had to recuse themselves in this case. You have to have four votes to pass a motion no matter how many are present," Holmes said.

The July 17 meeting marked the first meeting for many of the commissioners, after they were appointed to their posts during the regular meeting of Williams City Council July 10. New commissioners include Josh Smiley, Mike DuCharme, Gabe Ayala and John Holst. Commissioners John Dent, Brad Massey and Buck Williams retained their positions on P and Z. Williams was recently appointed to the post as well. Both Williams and Ayala live near the Baker parcels, while Smiley and Holst were not present for the recent meeting.

"The (new) members were appointed by council based on the applications received," Holmes said. "The code does say that newly elected council has the ability to nominate new members. Terms for members expire on July 1 of each election year."

The July 17 meeting marked the fourth time the project has appeared before P and Z members. Three out of four commissioners voted to deny the change during a regular meeting April 17, which did not count as a majority of the seven total votes needed to pass the motion. The April meeting ended without a recommendation on the parcels.

Owners Bill and Linda Baker originally sought a zoning change for their parcels from residential zoning to commercial zoning. Rather than allow spot zoning in the area, located along Franklin Avenue between First and Fifth Streets, commissioners sought to change the entire stretch to commercial-residential zoning. A number of homeowners were present for both the April 17 and July 17 meetings to voice their concerns over the proposed zone change, which some fear would lower the value of their properties. Other cited traffic and property tax concerns. The Bakers hope to build a proposed commercial project, called the Franklin Square Mall, on the parcels.

Holmes said the Baker parcel might return as an agenda item on the next regular P and Z meeting, scheduled for Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. A special meeting may be scheduled to make a decision on the Baker parcel as well, he said, though a firm date has not been set.


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