By Sarah Richardson
The Lewisburg City Council convened on Tuesday, Mar. 19, to discuss the wayfinding signage project, downtown parking, the updated draft Zoning Ordinance, distemper in area skunks, and more.
Commissioner Valerie Pritt presented the draft Zoning Ordinance to Council on behalf of the Planning Commission, which voted on Mar. 7 to approve this draft of the updated Zoning Ordinance. State code requires a study and report on zoning within the City, and the WVU Land Law clinic has undertaken this since 2016. City Attorney Tom White said that at this juncture the Council will need to accept the zoning study, including the draft zoning ordinance, so that dates for public hearings can be set for the public to have an opportunity to come forward and discuss the changes to the ordinance.
The council unanimously passed the motion, and set the following dates for public hearings: Tuesday, May 7, at 9 a.m., and Wednesday, May 8 at 7 p.m., both at Lewisburg City Hall. The public is invited to attend and submit comments of the proposed Lewisburg Zoning Ordinance. Copies of the proposed ordinance, including maps, will be available for review prior to the hearing at City Hall from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and at the Greenbrier County Library during regular business hours. Information is also available online at https://lewisburg-wv.org.
Lewisburg City Manager Misty Hill presented a rendering of a wayfinding map to Council for review. The City has been coordinating with the Mills Group to design a wayfinding signage system and kiosk map for downtown Lewisburg to assist in highlighting shops, restaurants, historical sites, the arts, and more in the downtown region. Council approved moving forward with the project, and more information will be available as the plans develop.
Hill also reported that Region IV is applying for grants for the new fire station, which will be located near Lewisburg Cinema 8. The City also is applying for grants to help cover water line upgrade costs for roughly $1.5 million, and has applied for three grants for the planned dog park at Dorie Miller Park. “Odds are, hopefully, favorable,” said Hill.
Councilmember Arron Seams reported that during this month’s Finance Committee meeting, discussions were held on how to “better enforce the parking downtown.” A plan was presented that includes adding signage on corners downtown regarding moving parked cars that will “let us have an enforcement mechanism” with parking, according to Seams. Hill added that when vehicles sit downtown for “days on end” it makes it difficult for the City to street sweep and keep up with debris. Seams added that they discussed parking for downtown residents, and they left the meeting “with an understanding that those apartments do have alternative parking with each of those units, so there are other options for residents that park on the street.”
Also presented at Finance were renderings for a stage to be installed at the Green Space for events. Financials were not yet discussed, as the renderings need approved by Finance, Council, and then the Historic Landmarks Commission before the Mills Group can price out the costs with building the approved designs. Finance and Council approved the renderings. Councilmember Little noted that Council had set aside nearly $40,000 in leftover Arts and Humanities funds for this project, however, now there are estimated costs associated with the project totaling an additional $80,000. “While I think this would be a wonderful thing, I just don’t know how we can pick up the bill for what we thought was a $40,000 project and is now a $120,000 project. I don’t know how the City should be responsible for all of that,” said Little. Councilmember Pritt disagreed, saying that she was under the impression that the finances would “trickle,” and said it was a good goal for Lewisburg to have this space.
Councilmember John Little said following lengthy meetings regarding next year’s city budget, he is proud of the teamwork and dedication involved with all the moving parts of budget planning. He sang the praises of City Treasurer Susan Honaker and her years of dedicated service to the City. “I was so impressed, and thank you for that,” said Little. As of this May, Honaker will have worked for the City for 20 years.
The public should be aware that several skunks in the area have tested positive for distemper, and to be alert for altered behavior in area wildlife. If a suspicious skunk is spotted in city limits, please contact Jack Hudnall at Hudnall Wildlife Services. It is advised to make sure that all pets are fully vaccinated for distemper.
In other news:
- Patrolman Sheldon Simmons of the Lewisburg Police Department was promoted to the rank of Corporal.
- Councilmember Sarah Elkins reports that White Sulphur Springs will be receiving $2.6 million to design and develop the largest bike part in the state. “It’ll take two years, probably, before we see it, but the money is there,” said Elkins. The park will be located at Hope Village. She also reports that a small bike trail, roughly a mile long, is now installed behind the new Hammer Cycles location across from Lewisburg Elementary School.
- Resolution 545, Water System Improvement Project Pay Request 22, was approved in the amount of $1,383,862.71. Of these funds, $1,372,496.33 comes from the USDA, and $11,366.38 comes from the WDA EEG.
- Last month Mayor White appointed Al Emch to the Board of Zoning Appeals, however, due to his residence not being located within city limits, he cannot serve on the board. In his place, Mayor White appointed Courtney Jessup to the Board with unanimous approval.
