MO board to consider zoning flexibility
By Steve Herring
Published in News on March 1, 2009 2:00 AM
MOUNT OLIVE -- Zoning in the downtown commercial district grants the town inspector some leeway in situations where odd-shaped lots make it difficult for a business to met setback requirements.
Monday night town commissioners will be asked to expand that flexibility to the town's other commercial zones.
The town board meeting gets under way at 7 p.m. in the courtroom at town hall.
In January the board expanded a similar flexibility where meeting landscaping requirements is concerned.
In both cases, the issues were brought to light while the town was working with a business, Waffle House, that eventually decided not to locate in Mount Olive.
"It will enable us to better accommodate any new business that is looking to locate here," said Town Manager Charles Brown.
In other business, commissioners will consider ways to reduce or at least hold the line on costs associated with garbage collection and disposal. The town currently contracts with Waste Industries.
"Our goal is that the budget will balance with no tax or fee increases," Brown said. "It (cost) has gotten out of control over the years."
Brown said the town could consider getting back into the garbage collection business. However, that would require the town to add personnel and purchase equipment.
Another option, he is, is possibly looking at other providers.
Commissioners also are expected to adopt a new municipal codebook.
Brown said the book simply updates and recodifies the town's code. It eliminates duplication and brings the codes back up to state standards, he said.
A public hearing will be held on a special-use request by Tony Martin.
Martin wants to convert the front portion of his business on North Church Street into a general merchandise-type store, said Town Inspector Danny Keel.
The Planning Board has approved the request and now it is up to commissioners for final approval.
Keel called it "a minor change."