Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown Planning and Zoning Commission held their regular meeting on Tuesday, December 4, at the Eva J. Hawes Agriculture Exposition and Community Center Building.  Planning and Zoning Administrator, Glendal Deweese, as well as members Danny Cardwell, Patty Craig, Hobart Flener Jr., and Bryan Locke were in attendance.  The agenda was presented and approved and the minutes from the November 13, 2012 meeting were read and approved.

Deweese reported the following building permits: Morgantown Mission (building), Jones Funeral Chapel (garage), Glenn Whittinghill( addition on Sawmill Road).

According to the minutes from the prior meeting Morgantown resident Casey Turci had brought four concerns to the commission: Cash Express signs, billboard across from Sonic, ordinance regarding construction of metal buildings in the central business district, and ordinance regarding consistency of mailboxes and new sidewalks in residential and/or central business district.  The commission addressed the concerns in unfinished business. 

Deweese reported that a letter had been sent to Cash Express concerning their signs.  After a lengthy discussion about the billboard across from Sonic the commission voted to table the issue until they could view the map of the expansion of Hwy 231 and meet with the City Council. 

Patty Craig made a motion to request a joint work session with the City Council to work on ordinances concerning the billboard, metal buildings, and the mailboxes and sidewalks.  “We need to start updating our zoning ordinances and we can start with these,” added Craig.  The motion was approved.

Mr. Hack (concerning property on Chickasaw Drive) addressed the commission concerning the lack of a meeting with the Board of Adjustments.

“I filed my paperwork and paid the fee four months ago, but still have not had a meeting,” said Hack. 

Mayor Linda Keown asked if he had received a letter from the Board, Hack stated he had and had the letter in his possession.  It was explained that he had to follow the guidelines in the letter to have a hearing set. 

The commission set dates for 2013 meetings: January 8, February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 9, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, and December 3.

In the final business officers were elected for 2013: Jody Forgy was elected chairman, Hobart Flener Jr. vice chairman, and secretary Patty Craig.