GRAVETTE -- Members of the Gravette City Council passed a resolution at their meeting Thursday night adopting a new comprehensive plan for the city. The City of Gravette Comprehensive Plan 2014 supersedes all previous land use and master street plans and provides the basis for future land use and development of the city.
In other business, the council adopted an ordinance setting dates and procedures for water meter reading and utility bills and payment. The ordinance, which passed by unanimous vote, is basically the same as the earlier ordinance it repeals. Water bills will still be mailed by the 10th of the month and late notices by the 25th, but a penalty will not be assessed until after the third of the following month. This is being done to accommodate customers who don't receive their checks until the first or the third of the month.
The ordinance adopting a new zoning map for the city was read for the second time. The third and final reading will be on the agenda for the Dec. 18 council meeting. Citizens wishing to comment on the map or propose further changes can still be heard at the next committee of the whole meeting on Dec. 11. Citizens are urged to attend that meeting.
City attorney David Bailey expressed his opinion that, according to his research, the council has no authority to revoke the variance for a proposed tiny house. He said the variance was not issued to a specific person but to the property. So, apparently, it would convey to the new owner if the land is sold. Therefore he is not recommending an attempt at revocation.
Mayor Byron Warren said council members had copies of the 2015 budget in their possession and urged them to study it carefully as it would be discussed at the next meeting.
Glenn Duffy, Jr., spoke to the council in comments prior to the meeting and requested that land east and south of his house be zoned A-1, agricultural. Duffy has owned this property, now zoned residential, for 25 years. Council members approved the change.
Tiffany Blocker also addressed the council during the citizen comment period. She said she was speaking in behalf of her husband who had to work. Blocker has some issues with the fire department because he was a former Gravette firefighter and has been unable to obtain the original firefighter certification from his personnel file.
General News on 11/26/2014