howeenterprise.com
Zone change
Monday, August 24, 2015
Page #5
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Debbie Wallis (left) and Jeff Wilson plead their case for zoning change to the city council on Tuesday superb yard, say it is not personal with Wallis, but feels like the outdoor displaying of merchandise is not sightly.
be progressive, you want to have something there." said Wilson. "That (the zone change) is really the only way that she's going to be able to showcase items for what she The property is zoned C-1, which does. I like the rent, but the does not allow for businesses to building's paid for. It's just going to display merchandise outside of the sit there. All I'm concerned about business. In order for Salvage now is for this tenant to be able to Junky to keep her "junk" outside, do what she needs to do and that's downtown so I could still be involved with all of the downtown she and her landlord Jeff Wilson to display items up front." festivals. There's really not a lot of petitioned to have the zoning changed from a C-1 to a C-2 which Wilson then offered to place a six- options for commercial businesses does allow for merchandise to be foot wooden fence from the back of in Howe. We put a lot of work into displayed outdoors. the property line that would run all it to make it work." the way to the front. Wallis said that the move tripled her The first step in the process to space but also tripled her expenses. change the zoning required a trip in Wallis then showed the council She said in order to attract front of the city's planning and before and after pictures of the zoning committee (P&Z). With building to show the improvements customers, she needs the ability to showcase items outside of her store. nothing resolved either way by the she has made to the structure. P&Z, the overall zoning issue "I'm not trying to ask for a C-2 in would go in front of the council "When I moved downtown, there without a referral either way from were bars on the windows and used the middle of a neighborhood that has home association rules." said the committee. for storage. Abby's wasn't there Wallis. "If it was my house, I and virtually there weren't very wouldn't paint it turquoise, but it's a Building owner Jeff Wilson stated many businesses there." said business and I need for people to see that his tenant is a very good Wallis. "I came in and painted, business woman and has good cleaned, and tried my best to make it." reputation in the community. that downtown building look alive. I did the same thing when I moved. Wallis participated at the Back to School Blues Downtown Block "I certainly believe that in order to I was looking for a place close to
Party and had vendors on her parking lot on August 1. As official course of action, the city sent letters to surrounding neighbors to be able to state their opposition of the zoning change. Only one was returned out of the eleven, which left the others indifferent which in effect counted as pro zone change. The Tolberts, who were in opposition got a chance to state their case to the council as well. "We've been at this property for 30 years." said Kathy Tolbert. "We love Howe and we chose Howe to raise our children. Our church family is here. I work in a big city and I like the serenity of Howe. continued on Page #6
