The battle over sidewalks is set to resume tonight in City Hall.
The Starkville Board of Aldermen will hold its first public hearing this evening on a proposal to exempt four roads from sidewalk construction requirements in the city”s heavily-debated sidewalk ordinance. The hearing will take place during the board”s regularly scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver brought forth the proposal to exempt Miley Drive, Pollard Road and portions of Industrial Park and Airport roads from the ordinance. Carver says he wants to establish an “industrial quadrant,” where businesses wouldn”t be required to construct sidewalks when building or expanding.
As it is written, the sidewalk ordinance requires sidewalk construction with all new roads, buildings and residential subdivisions. For all other new, non-single-family residential or non-agricultural zoned development projects or construction improvements, which cost 50 percent or more of the appraised taxable value of the property, the installation of sidewalks is required prior to a final inspection and/or the city”s issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
Some Starkville residents, developers and businessmen have spoken out against the sidewalk ordinance. Many have rallied around the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District, which is located on Miley Drive and plans to construct a new senior center. The GTPDD would be required to construct a $25,000 sidewalk along Miley Road and C.C. Clark Road, in accordance with the sidewalk ordinance, to build the senior center behind its existing facility.
Rudy Johnson, executive director of the GTPDD, has threatened to move the organization and its more than 200 employees out of Starkville if the GTPDD has to pay for a sidewalk in order to build the senior center. Contacted Monday, Johnson said he is still looking at possible sites for relocation. He praised Carver and fellow aldermen Eric Parker, Roy A. Perkins and Henry Vaughn, who have said they are in support of the street exemptions.
“I think it”s very important that they look at the issue and realize one size does not fit all,” Johnson said of the construction requirements. “The sidewalks need to be where the population is. I look out my window (at the GTPDD) and nobody is walking out here.”
Carver says he didn”t propose the street exemptions to pander to Johnson and the GTPDD.
A second public hearing on the proposed ordinance amendments is planned for the board”s Jan. 4 meeting. Aldermen could then vote.
Mayor Parker Wiseman has vowed to veto the amendments if passed by aldermen. Johnson said the mayor”s veto could halt plans for construction of the senior center.
“He”s not vetoing me,” Johnson said. “He”s vetoing the seniors of Starkville.”
Johnson said he plans to speak tonight at the public hearing.
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