Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

No action taken on zoning request

A request to change zoning from an R-2 to a C-2 was, basically, ignored by the Prescott City Council at its December meeting.

John Coe had asked for the zoning change so he could open a drive through restaurant near Park Baptist Church. However, representatives from the church opposed the idea, stating it would be too noisy.

Coe said there is an existing commercial enterprise near the church already and there have been no objections to it.

But, City Attorney Glenn Vasser said when the area was rezoned in 1997 it was for a home health care business, which posed no problems. Coe, he added, was required under city ordinance to notify all property owners within 200 feet of his proposed business to give them a chance to object. "We seldom have objections."

In this instance, though, there was an objection. Coe was told he could appeal the planning and zoning commission's decision to the Council, and if he wasn't satisfied with the Council's decision he could appeal further to circuit court.

Coe said he wanted to open a drive in restaurant which may or may not be open Sundays, but he would work with the church. There would be no in-house dining at the establishment, though there would be seating for those waiting to pick up orders.

Vasser said the property is on the edge of the R-2 zone and is about half a block from the church, and he could understand the request to go to C-2 zoning. However, the council declined to take any action.

Coe said he had already started the appeal process to the circuit court.

The Council discussed the Parks Commission, with Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor saying two members resigned because they no longer live inside the city limits. However, he added, the commission can be expanded to seven members, which would allow two to be from outside the city limits.

The council agreed this is a good idea because children who live outside Prescott also participate in park programs, such as pee wee football, basketball and little league baseball.

But, the issue was tabled until the January meeting.

Jon Chadwell, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, gave council members copies of the EDO's annual report. He said the EDO more than pays for itself as it has generated $23 for every $1 spent.

The sales tax revenue has increased from $325,000 to $425,000, and this, Chadwell said, can be directly attributed to three businesses locating at Interstate-30 (Rip Griffin's, Love's and Murphy's). The additional revenue from these businesses, he added, is how the city was able to pay off its sewer bonds early.

The home restoration program will start in the city after the first of the year. The program will be easier in the city than the county, he said, because of city services available.

The walking/jogging trail project has been put on hold until Spring because of the wet weather in October and November.

Mary Godwin, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber ended its year with the Christmas events. Attendance at all holiday events was up, she told the council, with the parade being the most popular.