Planning commission grants varaince, lot split

RV Park ordinance in planning stages

GENTRY -- Gentry's Planning and Zoning Commission approved a variance and lot split at its meeting in the city council chambers on Thursday.

A variance was approved for Jason Barrett to allow him to build a 900-square-foot garage on his property on East Main Street. The variance was needed because current city code restricts accessory buildings to 40 percent of the square footage of the primary residence.

The Commission granted the variance because the lot was big enough and all other set-back requirements were met. As Commission member Jim Kooistra pointed out, the garage could have been built without the variance if the living space of the house would have been bigger.

Also approved, under the condition that a 30-foot easement be increased to a 40-foot-wide easement for access and utilities, was a lot-split request of Donald Nations to make it possible to add a second home and a second septic system to his property which lies outside Gentry's city limits but within Gentry's planning jurisdiction.

Passed out to Commission members for review was a preliminary ordinance worksheet to regulate campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks within the city. The materials distributed by Jay Williams, Gentry city attorney, include definitions for an RV park and proposed requirements should someone wish to build such a facility and rent out spaces within the city.

Prior to adopting an ordinance, Williams said, public notice would have to be given and a public hearing held regarding the proposed ordinance.

Williams also told the Commission that the city's current sign ordinance, because of a 2015 Supreme Court ruling, was now considered unconstitutional and revisions would need to be made before it is enforced. See a separate article in this week's Eagle Observer entitled: "Supreme Court decision makes Gentry's sign ordinance unconstitutional."

Tabled were discussions concerning sidewalks and proposed changes to the preliminary and final plat checklists.

General News on 02/24/2016