A controversial item for residents on the south end of Williams Avenue was tabled until the Aug. 22 City Council meeting at Monday night’s meeting, July 22. The item is an application by Ted Methvin to rezone 219 Williams Avenue from R-1 Residential to R-1 Residential, Special Exemption to operate a dental office. The question that best sums up the discussion: Do dentists make good neighbors? Residents seemed more concerned that allowing businesses to intrude within neighborhoods would erode the integrity of the historical homes and the overall community atmosphere. Methvin said this is not his intention. He asked for one month’s time to speak to the neighbors around the property in question. The residents at the Council meeting said they’ve already made up their minds.
Another property issue the Council addressed involved the Summertree Apartments on Second Street. The renovation project was intended to create housing for the homeless and homeless veterans. In May, 2018 Mayor Lee Posey said it looked like the project had fallen into bankruptcy. Representatives from the bank that now owns the property came before the City Council after they received a letter of intent to demolish the structures to comply with the City’s building code. They have engaged a new contractor and should get documents reissued in 1-2 months to complete the project, which has been estimated to last 6 months. The complex has 40 one-bedroom units with an income restriction of 60% of the area median. The complex is required to remain subsidized housing in order to utilize the tax credits initially approved for the renovation. Residents, City Council members, and the Mayor all voiced their concern for how a property like this located in the historic district may inhibit tourism, historic preservation and overall beautification efforts. However, because of the zoning classification and the existing structures, there’s nothing the City Council can do to stop the project from moving forward.
An interesting agenda item introduced at the meeting would approve an option agreement in favor of Cane River Solar LLC to lease a 171.22 acre tract of land situated south of the Pilgrim’s Pride Feed Mill in the Natchitoches Industrial Park for a three-year period to potentially operate a solar farm. A study needs to be performed to determine the feasibility of such a project, but Posey said it has potential benefits for Natchitoches.
Another property matter introduced at the meeting would extend the City limits to annex 87.3 acres of land located adjacent to Parc Natchitoches on University Parkway for future residential development by the land owner.
Other agenda items included:
PLANNING & ZONING – INTRODUCTION:
Declare Certain Buildings Unsafe And Recommend That Same Be Demolished Or Put Into Repair To Comply With The Building Code: 1457 Washington Street, 1429 Washington Street, 717 Pavie Street, and 312 Second Street
PLANNING & ZONING – FINAL:
Amend Ordinance No. 64 Of 2001 By Changing
Zoning Classification Of Property Described As Follows:
Lots 9, 10 And 11 Of Readhimer Subdivision From R-1 Residential To R-1 Residential, Special Exception To Operate A Law Office. (1736 Washington St.)
ORDINANCES – FINAL:
Authorize An Agreement And Amendment To Easements Between Evans Family, L.L.C. And The City Of Natchitoches, Providing For The Asphalt Overlay Of A Gravel Road And Further Amending The Terms Of Existing Rights Of Way In Favor Of The City Of Natchitoches
Approve A Conveyance Of A 4.774 Acre Tract Of Land To Archie’s Towing Service, L.L.C., For $254,500
RESOLUTIONS:
Authorize The Mayor Of The City Of Natchitoches, Louisiana, To Enter Into A Cooperative Agreement With The Louisiana Department Of Veterans Affairs To Support The Cost To Operate And Maintain The Natchitoches Parish Veterans Service Office.
Approve The Assignment And Assumption Agreement And First Amendment To Lease Agreement Of That Lease Of Lot 1A Of The Natchitoches Regional Airport From Med-Trans Corporation To Air Evac EMS, Inc.
Authorize The Mayor To Accept And Execute A Grant Agreement From The Federal Aviation Administration For A Project At The Natchitoches Regional Airport
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next scheduled City Council meeting will be August 12, 2019.
is that the same crooked Braxton that owned Ford ?
So the mayor and council want to stop housing for homeless vets because it might hurt tourism? After what’s gone in there for years? If that hasn’t hurt anything by now it’s not going too. I would guess 99.9% of tourist have never noticed it. Shame on all of you! Would tell you how I really feel but don’t want to get banned from the this site! Lowest thing pulled yet! Now go brag because you’re going to fund the vet building!? There’s a couple of you guys I can’t believe would want to stop this! I should call you out by name! And the others are just in it for yourselves! Sad sad sad
All the News Papers couldn’t wait to plaster Miss Mirror all over the News when she was arrested. Isn’t this bias reporting or if you are part of the click you safe from bring embarrassed. Just asking.
Who is Miss Mirror?
I think the Autocorrect on your phone has erroneously changed some of your words.
If Miss Miss. Mirror as you call her did make a fool of herself and get arrested every few years maybe she would be on the front page for being ignorant! So it is what it is!
I see a lot was discussed in the meeting but I’m still waiting on the article about your city director, Mr. Braxton being arrested.
Who is Mr. Braxton?
I don’t see how a dentists office could be any worse than Edward Jones, the law offices, and the bed & breakfasts. These people want to control these selfish people kill me. The woman from across Keyser really needs to find some hobbies. If you want to have restrictions move into a neighborhood with a HOA and you can control what you want.