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• the property of Mr. Ed Perkins and Mr. Don Taylor, located along Highland Drive at the Dollar General Store/Movie Gallery location pertaining to associated property behind the stores which is currently zoned as residential property;
• Mr. Billy Webb's property on Main Street, near the King's Dominion Gym, which he hopes to have zoned for commercial use;
• Nicky Joe Stafford's new commercial subdivision on North Highland Drive; and,
• property on Highway 22 at McKenzie's city limits currently owned by the Jehovah's Witnesses.

The Board approved Commissioner Bill Kirk's motion to refer the Perkins/Taylor and Webb issues to Mr. Brown for review prior to board consideration. "I'm not ready to vote on this today," said Mr. Kirk.

Commissioners voted to straighten the boundary line between the R-2 (residential) and B-2 (business) zoning areas along Mr. Stafford's western property line in order to place the full property in a business zone.

More complex were the issues surrounding the Jehovah's Witness property which is currently zoned residentially as R-1. Dr. David Lott requested a change in zoning on the property from residential to business in order that he might renovate the existing structure into an animal hospital and veterinary clinic.

Mr. Brown advised the Board to deny the request, saying the action would constitute spot zoning, which he advised is illegal in Tennessee. He stated there is a presumption when people invest in residential property that the properties remain residential, and that while the proposed usage may not be objectionable, once the area is rezoned for commercial business, any business allowed in that zoning district would also be permitted to occupy the space, whether "in the next year or ten years from now."

Commissioner Kirk stated, "Mr. Brown, this property joins a cornfield and an unkempt pasture that is not in the city limits and probably in time all that land will be in the city limits."

He and other commissioners questioned why the action would constitute spot-zoning since the property faces Highway 22 with McKenzie's city limits along its western border. The property is bounded on the west by a strip of land owned by Bethel College and by the Holland Farm below that. Separating the property from an adjacent subdivision is a ditch filled with cross-ties. On the east side of the property is another lot that was deeded to Bethel College by Jackie Morris.

Chairman Reggie Lawrence observed the board had at one time discussed that properties along the bypass would be zoned for business. Along that line, Mr. Brown stated the issue is complicated by the fact that the city's land use plan does not address the use of property past the property in question. "You've provided no guide or any vision as how you perceive that property be developed," he said.

Commissioner Buddy Edwards stated, "We're starting out new with a new planner and if we start giving in to everything and not obeying the law we're going to be in the same spot we've been in... It's not right; we might as well not have a planning commission."

Mr. Kirk advised requesting permission from the college to zone their properties on either side of College Drive and adjoining the Jehovah's Witness property as business districts, thereby removing the issue of spot-zoning. Commissioner Mark Warren stated that "corridor there needs to be annexed."

The issue was postponed for future consideration on the recommendation of Chairman Lawrence pending discussion with Bethel College, however, Mr. Brown stated, "That doesn't necessarily eliminate the problem of spot zoning. I'm not saying that it's not a solution."

He reiterated the aged land use plan dating back to the 1970's and stated the absence of that guidance leaves only current zoning and development as variables to be considered in making his recommendation. "You have to give some consideration to what is there right now in addition to spot zoning," he said.

Commissioners recalled planning sessions circa 1995 that were initiated but not finalized by state planners.

Mr. Brown advised the Board, "My role as a planner will be to advise you, I make the recommendations but it is your decision... You're not going to hurt my feelings week to week (if you do not follow my recommendations.)

Mr. Brown advised the board should begin meeting soon in called session to update the land use plan. Chairman Lawrence also advised he would like to reinstate regular meetings at a later time period than the previously scheduled 4:30 p.m. meetings which conflicted with various work schedules.

• labor and equipment for maintenance/renovation;
• supplies and materials;
• supportive services;
• letters of support for grant and sponsorship proposals;
• budget allocation from federal and state noncompetitive grants funds;
• interest-free or below market loan rates; and,
• matching funds from community solicitation.

Ms. Williams stated a commitment by the City will be followed up by a "Memorandum of Understanding" between the Webb Alumni Association and the City of McKenzie.

The Webb Alumni Association has a membership of 200 with chapters in Cedar Rapids (MI), Champaign-Urbana (IL), Chicago (IL), Detroit (MI), Huntingdon, Indianapolis (IN), McKenzie, Milwaukee (WI), Nashville, and West Carroll.

Ms. Williams asserted that over 34 years Webb School has provided four million dollars to the economy or the city and county through purchases, food, gas, lodging, entertainment supplies and other expenditures.

When the Webb Alumni Association on October 9, 1973 requested they be allowed to purchase the school, their objective was set out as "the maintenance of our heritage and the preservation of our roots in Carroll County; to prepare for the aged, provide for the poor, and to promote the welfare of the citizens within Carroll County."

Having paid the mortgage on the property in October 1999, the Association hopes to make strides on attaining their original goals and more.

With the Head Start Program currently housed at the Webb School building, Ms. Williams stated the project would like to provide programming after 5:00 p.m. for youth using paid staff and volunteers.

"We've found it is important to have paid staff for accountability," said Ms. Williams.

Mayor Edwards stated the Council will study the proposal and will address it at the meeting scheduled for August 22.

Also tabled until the August 22 meeting was the issue of street vendors selling merchandise along city streets and right of ways, following complaints by competing businesses. Street vendors profit financially by having no business license, paying no tax and having few overhead expenses in comparison to formally established businesses. City Clerk Dana Deem stated he believes a law from the 1980's may address the issue, however, with regard to the sale of foodstuffs, Councilmember Hale stated, "If you grow it you can sell it but I understand the local merchants."

In other business the council:

• Discussed the possibility of allowing fireworks to be purchased within the city limits. City Clerk Dana Deem stated he will prepare a proposed ordinance to be presented at the August 22 meeting.
• Approved a bid of $21,000.00 for the purchase of a 2003 Crown Victoria patrol car from Tri-County Motors as the local bid. Steve Marsh Ford also bid $21,000.00 as the price of a 2003 Police Interceptor vehicle.
• Referred to committee composed of Council members Willie Huffman and Darra Adkins and City Clerk Dana Deem four bids for a new copier machine as the bids varied greatly in price and terms.

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