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McKENZIE (January 9) — During its regular monthly meeting, the McKenzie Board of Mayor and Council approved the city’s zoning map and amendments to Ordinance 529. The zoning map and ordinance were approved by the McKenzie Regional Planning Commission in November 2019.
According to Mayor Jill Holland and Councilman Jason Martin, both are ex officio members of the commission, stated the zoning changes focused around the former Gaines Manufacturing building and a portion of Kencindot Street. The area in question was changed from heavy industrial to light industrial allowing for greater opportunity for commercial usage of the properties.
On its first reading, amendments to Ordinance 529 were approved. The amendments are in Chapter 4, Sections 11-403, 11-601 and 11-602 concerning the construction of more than one principal structure on a lot.
Section 11-403 states only one principal structure shall be erected or situated housing a permitted or permissible principal use may be erected. Section 11-601 and 11-602 amended the language of the provisions governing residential districts concerning the R-1 (low density) and R-2 (medium density) districts. Both ordinances prevent further construction of duplex and apartment housing in the aforementioned districts.
During the meeting a public hearing was held for the adoption of the ADA transition plan proposed by Jim Pillow. After Pillow’s work with city officials, the following were items were found to be out of ADA compliance on city-owned property and will be addressed by the City of McKenzie: city hall parking lot handicapped parking has no signage, some lines are not drawn for van parking; not enough adequate space to maneuver around the council seating area; no accessible route to second floor of fire department; no braille signage except on the outside of the lobby restrooms (signs are on the doors instead of on the walls); many of the restrooms routes have obstructions leading into them; no grab bars in most of the restrooms; several toilet levers on wall side instead of open side in restrooms; pipes not insulated under sinks; many sinks are not conducive to being approached straight to the front because of obstacles like trash cans, etc., and most of the door knobs require tight grasping and twisting (need to replace with lever).
In other business the council approved the Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) Grant budget. The grant total is $60,000 with a dollar and in-kind match of $60,000 from the City of McKenzie. The $120,000 project is for the construction of Harmony Park to be located adjacent to the Splash Pad.