By GAGE WILSON
For Glasgow News 1
At its first July meeting, the Glasgow City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance Monday to rezone approximately 2.4 acres at 801 Columbia Ave., a move that would allow the Boys & Girls Club of Glasgow to expand its Columbia Avenue campus.
The request, submitted by property owner Houchens Center for Children, Inc., would change the property’s zoning from R-1 to B-2. The rezoning was recommended by the Joint City-County Planning and Zoning Commission following a June 15 public hearing.
During that hearing, Boys & Girls Club employee Mallie Boston said the expansion would help the organization serve more children by addressing its current waiting list while increasing access to affordable childcare, food pantry services and clean water for families in the community.
Douglas Gooch, a surveyor and civil engineer with AGE Engineering, told commissioners the project includes automated security bollards at the parking lot entrance that can be raised or lowered by switch while still allowing emergency access. Commissioners emphasized the system should be coordinated with the Glasgow Fire Department to ensure access during emergencies.
Joint City-County Planning Director Kevin Myatt summarized the rezoning request before the council.
“The majority of the property is zoned as residential, so in order for them to expand their building and their parking they applied for a rezoning,” Myatt said. “Now, the properties that surround this are all zoned residential, so the landscape buffer requirements which are already city ordinance will go into effect assuming that this zoning change goes forward.”
Following Myatt’s summary, the council approved the ordinance on first reading.
Council members also approved the first reading of a resolution declaring aging fire department equipment surplus, allowing the city to dispose of equipment that is no longer needed. The item declared surplus was a fire truck from the 1990s.
Councilman Randy Wilkinson asked how the department planned to dispose of the truck. Fire Chief Lucas Tinsley said Mills Real Estate and Auction would handle the sale.
The council was also briefed on four executive orders, which required no action but were provided for informational purposes. Mayor Henry Royse encouraged council members to ask questions about the orders should they have any.
Three of the orders dealt with job openings and updates to job descriptions, while the fourth updated the Police Department’s standard operating procedures.
The next scheduled meeting of the council is set for July 27 at 6 p.m.
Key facts:
– Glasgow City Council swore in April Dunbar as director of the Barren-Metcalfe Emergency Communications Center
– Council approved first reading of a rezoning ordinance for Boys and Girls Club expansion at 801 Columbia Avenue
– Rezoning would change about 2.4 acres from R-1 residential to B-2 business
– Joint City-County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval after a June 15 public hearing
– Boys and Girls Club leaders say expansion would help reduce a waiting list and expand childcare, food and clean water access
– Proposed site plan includes automated security bollards at the parking lot entrance, with coordination needed for fire access
– Council approved first reading of a resolution declaring a 1990s fire truck surplus for sale
– Members received briefings on four executive orders tied to job openings, job descriptions and police procedures
– Next Glasgow City Council meeting is scheduled for July 27 at 6 p.m.
