Hope Planning & Zoning Commission

The Hope Planning and Zoning Commission met in the city hall boardroom on Monday (3-18). There were two requests, one for rezoning and the other for a special use permit. Both were approved. The first was to change the zoning for = 6 acres near the interstate to allow for a truck stop. The request was made by Joel Hendry of Hendry Oil who said this was the only place in the city that one could be constructed. He said with the industrial park, a need was seen for a truck stop. There was discussion about egresses. The entrance would be on the north side near Bypass Diesel and the exit towards the Interstate on Hazel Street. The parking capacity would be 25 to 30 trucks and 3 trucks could get gas at any one time. A motion passed to change the zoning from I1 to C2.

The second request was to allow for the Hope Public Schools to build a sports complex on the land discussed in the last meeting. The guidelines for why a request can be denied were ignored last time. Hope Schools Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Crossley said he addressed the concerns raised during the previous meeting by doing such things as changing the orientation of the fields away from the residential area. Dr. Crossley also said there was a barrier of trees that would not be cut down. He also talked about a fence that would be installed.

Concerns raised during the previous meeting were expressed in this one as well. These include the depreciation of property values, traffic and accidents, increased sound, lighting, parking and stray balls. Dr. Crossley attempted to address concerns stating the school resource officer would stop people from parking on 20th street. Concern was also raised about the project blocking the hospital entrance with the response that it wouldn’t be affected.

240 easy slots for parking are in the design. In addition to the planned parking, additional parking could be done behind the dugout and by the tennis court. In case the capacity of parking isn’t sufficient, shuttles could be run from the High School.

Commission Member Catherine Cook said the land was legacy zoning as land on the bypass isn’t generally where people want to live and asked what it could be rezoned as. The answer given was C2, C3, or C4 Commercial. The owners of the land want to sell and have it used for this purpose. The land has been considered two or three times for rezoning.

Discussion ensued as to why the issue was being raised again.  This issue of a possible conflict of interest was raised.  P & Z Commission members Kiffanea Talley and Linda Clarke said they had abstained the previous time because of ties to the school district. Dr. Clark said she had since spoken to her lawyer who okayed her participation. Judy Watson said she lives in the area affected.

Both Anna Powell and Ed Darling expressed their opinion in favor of the Special Use Permit.

The Commision voted 4 – 3 to approve the Permit. The three criteria which are allowed for denial are: 1. The proposed use interferes with easements, roadways, rail lines, utilities, and other public or private rights of way. 2. The proposed use would clearly cause an undue hardship on properties within 200 feet of the lot on which the Special Use is to be located. 3. The proposed uses do not comply with the minimum height, area, bulk, yard, or density regulations applicable to the zoning classification for which the special use has been granted.

The meeting adjourned.