A new zoning ordinance will become official in Calhoun City next month setting new standards for property maintenance and designating certain areas as residential, commercial and industrial.
David Hill
The ordinance was approved at the town board’s last meeting and will become official 30 days from the publication of the notice, appearing in this edition of the newspaper.
David Hill, manager of Cannon Motors in Calhoun City, is chairman of the new commission that will oversee the implementation of the ordinance.
“Our goal is simply to develop a plan, help everyone to learn the guidelines and then follow them,” Hill said.
Hill, along with commission members Sandra Norman, Helen Owens, Willie Lairy and Justin Nichols, representing each of the town’s wards, will serve as the governing body. The ordinance has been structured so the commission, not the town board, has final authority.
“They work independent of the city,” Mayor J.R. Denton said.
Hill said they’ve had a couple of organizational meetings thus far, but are still getting everything in place.
J.R. Denton
Among their first tasks is to establish the permits and fees that the ordinance calls for and to hire an enforcement officer.
Hill said their goal was to find someone very knowledgeable of the subject and unbiased.
The ordinance itself is very similar to other zoning laws in neighboring towns, including Bruce.
Among the regulations are:
•Zones specific areas as either agricultural, residential, neighborhood commercial, highway commercial or downtown commercial.
•Non-conforming structures in a zone are grandfathered in, but if those structures are damaged beyond 50% of their value (such as in a fire) or are abandoned for 90 days, that property must conform with the zoning ordinance moving forward.
•Non-conforming structures cannot be renovated in a manner that makes them more non-conforming.
•Standard fencing for front and side yards is four feet high.
•No accessory buildings can be placed in front or side yards, must be in backyard.
•Recreational vehicles must be stored in a carport/garage or in the backyard. They cannot be parked in the front yard.
•Non functioning vehicles must be placed somewhere out of sight. They cannot be parked in front yard.
•Building permits will be required for all new construction. Cost and associated fees will be set by the planning commission.
•The administrator, to be hired by the commission, will notify property owners of violations by letter. Violations will be considered a misdemeanor and will be punishable by up to a $100 fine per day the violation continues after notification.
•Property owners who dispute alleged violations may appeal to the planning commission who has final authority.
“It’s a good ordinance that covers just about everything you can think of,” Mayor Denton said.
Alderwoman Barbara Goodson said it’s a positive step forward for the town.
“I’m 100 percent behind the zoning ordinance,” she said. “I think it’s important so we can protect the viability of our town for the future.”
Hill said he’s hopeful the commission can work with the community, using the ordinance to make Calhoun City a more attractive place for business and residents.
“It’s not about what’s been done in the past, but what we’re going to do in the future,” Hill said.
