Public hearings high on City Council agenda
By Anessa Myers
Published in News on January 18, 2009 2:00 AM
The Goldsboro City Council will hold six public hearings and discuss the condemnation of several dilapidated dwellings at its meeting Tuesday afternoon.
The first two hearings will be held on rezoning requests.
Kathy Woodard made a request to change property on the east side of Piedmont Airline Road between Ash Street and Stonehenge Drive from a residential zone to a light industry zone. A use for the property wasn't specified.
Deborah Higgins made a request to change property located on the south side of Simmons Street between North Slocumb Street and Leslie Street from general business to a residential conditional district to allow for a boarding house.
There also will be hearings held regarding the closing of several streets.
The North Carolina Railroad Co. requested that portions of Atlantic Avenue be closed, at North William and North John streets and at North Jefferson Avenue.
The public works department requested that Emmitt and Hood streets be closed since the city owns all of the lots abutting both streets.
The last two public hearings will be held regarding amendments to city ordinances that would allow for an increase in sign area for properties on Ash Street and east of Jefferson Avenue from 10 square feet to 32 square feet and would change the number of members of the Historic District Commission from nine members to seven members with two alternates.
Council members also will discuss condemnation of six dilapidated dwellings at 1202 N. Center St., 309 Wayne Ave., 324 Whitfield Drive, 604 Simmons St., 2106 E. Elm St. and 502 S. Slocumb St. Funds for demolition of the dwellings have been appropriated.
Officials also will discuss costs associated with future annexation plans and the anticipated federal stimulus package through President-elect Barack Obama.
The council's work session will begin at 3 p.m. in the large conference room at the City Hall Addition, and the council meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in the original council chambers at City Hall. The change in schedule is due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday.