Zone change

continued from Page #1 superb yard, say it is not personal with Wallis, but feels like the outdoor displaying of merchandise is not sightly

The property is zoned C-1, which does not allow for businesses to display merchandise outside of the business. In order for Salvage Junky to keep her "junk" outside, she and her landlord Jeff Wilson petitioned to have the zoning changed from a C-1 to a C-2 which does allow for merchandise to be displayed outdoors

The first step in the process to change the zoning required a trip in front of the city's planning and zoning committee (P&Z) With nothing resolved either way by the P&Z, the overall zoning issue would go in front of the council without a referral either way from the committee

Building owner Jeff Wilson stated that his tenant is a very good business woman and has good reputation in the community.

"I certainly believe that in order to 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 does I like the rent, but the building's paid for. It's just going to sit there. All I'm concerned about now is for this tenant to be able to do what she needs to do and that's to display items up front."

Wilson then offered to place a sixfoot wooden fence from the back of the property line that would run all the way to the front

Wallis then showed the council before and after pictures of the building to show the improvements she has made to the structure

"When I moved downtown, there were bars on the windows and used for storage Abby's wasn't there and virtually there weren't very many businesses there " said Wallis. "I came in and painted, cleaned, and tried my best to make that downtown building look alive. I did the same thing when I moved. I was looking for a place close to downtown so I could still be involved with all of the downtown festivals There's really not a lot of options for commercial businesses in Howe. We put a lot of work into it to make it work."

Wallis said that the move tripled her space but also tripled her expenses. She said in order to attract customers, she needs the ability to showcase items outside of her store

"I'm not trying to ask for a C-2 in the middle of a neighborhood that has home association rules " said Wallis "If it was my house, I wouldn't paint it turquoise, but it's a business and I need for people to see it "

Wallis participated at the Back to School Blues Downtown Block

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