Councilmembers Look at 'Encouraging' Redevelopment

The town council's planning and development committee — comprised of Walter Bailey and Bill McIntosh — discussed providing "encouragement" to revitalize West Richardson Avenue, near Woodlands Inn, during its regular meeting Wednesday.

"You've got an area zoned R-5 that's just really struggling and — it's not really doing very well at all — and I'd like to see us do something ... to improve some business," McIntosh said. "They could use some encouragement from us." 

Director of Planning and Economic Development Charlie Miller said when the council members said "encouragement," a key word used many times during this discussion, they would likely mean zoning to weed out structures like mobile homes and to support a neighborhood community. 

"Our council does not need permission of the owners to rezone," Miller said.

The comprehensive plan recommends a rezone and "neighborhood-type businesses," according to Town Planner Madelyn Robinson.

West Richardson Avenue first came under scrutiny during the meeting of the Planning Commission June 20.

Gary Pollard, who recently purchased the property with a structure at 821 W. Richardson Ave., requested a rezoning to B3, General Business, to allow for it to become an automobile garage and sales lot.

But the commission balked at the spot zoning and became interesting in revitalizing the road. Commissioners motioned to recommend denial by town council.

Wednesday's committee meeting saw two members of council agree to deny the request and, like the commissioners, become interested encouraging a neighborhood reflective of the comprehensive plan. 

"I'd like to see council take a hard look at this block," McIntosh said. "That block's in bad shape; it's a long way from any kind of significant residential redevelopment …  The idea that multiple owners would work together for a neighborhood business plan is very appealing to me." 

Pollard was not at Wednesday's meeting to lend his thoughts to the discussion.