By Sarah Richardson
The Lewisburg City Council met on Thursday, Nov. 13, due to the Veteran’s Day holiday on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Council members opened by approving Ordinance 325 to amend several articles of Part 13, Chapter Three, of the Lewisburg City Code regarding planned developments. Council member John Little, who also serves on the Planning Commission, noted that there were recently two bills passed by legislature that affect accessory dwellings, “that basically make it so they can no longer be conditional use,” he explained, “and that those restrictions that we have placed in the past on accessory dwellings cannot be more restrictive then the main dwelling is, that’s the long and short of it, the changes in front of you.” He stated that the updated language was reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Officer, as well as the City attorney. A motion to approve the changes passed unanimously.
A pay request for landscaping at the Public Works building on Stonehouse Road was reviewed after Council reviewed the bids that had been received. City Manager Misty Hill noted that the landscaping designs had already been reviewed by the Building Commission and were approved. A bid of $30,135.70 from Riverbend Nursery in Caldwell was the winning bid, and Council voted unanimously to accept it.
Mayor Beverly White read a poem in honor and memory of our veterans, and another for Thanksgiving where she expressed appreciation for all City employees. A change order for the paving of the Public Works access road in a decrease of $5,000 was accepted at the recommendation of the Building Commission. A change order for the Lafayette Street Stormwater Project was also approved, as well as an auditor selection for fiscal year 2025 and 2026.
Hill spoke about the upcoming Christmas at the Park, where the City is hosting a light show in lieu of the State Fair being unable to host their annual holiday light show as they have in previous years. Hill said they haven’t announced the opening date yet, as they are unsure of how long the setup process will take. She plans to have some dates for driving through, and others for walking through. Donations will be taken at the beginning of the route and will go towards the Parks Department. The light show will only run on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 5 to 10 p.m., with the start date to be announced.
In other news, Council heard presentations from numerous firms regarding the City’s Fire Department Insurance, and council member Sarah Elkins announced that as of January she will be the director of West Virginia’s Interscholastic Cycling League. Fire Chief Joey Thomas noted that there was a burn permit issued to a property on Fairview Road near Grand Avenue, and to expect to see smoke as they burn brush piles.
