Council continues to labor over truck issue
Staff reporter
Tractor-trailers parked on city streets remained on the city council's agenda for another week.
At the previous meeting, the council had requested Marion Planning Commission come up with a truck route and review a zoning dispute regarding property on Grant Street that at one time was used for a light industrial business.
Planning commission chairman Roger Schwab told the council that the planning commission met and discussed the request. He said the planning commission was in the process of updating the city's comprehensive plan and was not prepared to make a proposal for a truck route.
"Instead of hiring consultants, Jami (Williams, the city's economic development director) and I are going to write the plan," Schwab said.
When asked how long that would take, Schwab responded four to six months. He continued that this was more than a parking issue with an official designation of a heavy truck route.
Mayor Mary Olson asked if a truck route could be established now and then amended later when the comprehensive plan was finalized. Schwab said the council could do that. Some streets are designated for heavy trucks but there is no definitive route within the city limits.
Schwab then advised the council that the planning commission will be requesting approximately $100 from the council for advertising and mailings to inform the public of two hearings for updating the plan.
He continued that the planning commission examined city and zoning maps and documents and determined that the property in question on Grant Street that was purchased by Darryl Brewer for a storage lot was zoned residential. A conditional use permit was not located, Schwab said.
When the city's zoning was changed and updated, that property was grandfathered as a non-conforming use which means as long as that property was used for light industrial, it could continue. However when K.C. Development ended its business, the grandfather clause was no longer in effect and any use other than residential would require a conditional use permit.
At the meeting, Schwab referred to a conditional use agreement that was not dated but notarized in 2006, that authorized that parcel to be used for light industrial. Schwab asked city attorney Dan Baldwin, "Where did this document come from?"
"Mayor (Martin) Tice asked me to draw the document," Baldwin said. He continued that since Brewer is represented by council, this issue would have to be discussed in executive session.
Baldwin then asked Schwab if the planning commission had examined other properties to determine the accuracy of the map. Schwab responded that he was not aware of that request and added that the commission had not had sufficient time to review.
"The zoning map was adopted by the city," Schwab said, "and it's what needs to be used."
Jost lot
City officials asked Steve Jost, owner of property on West Main Street, to attend the meeting to discuss his property to possibly be used for semi truck parking. Real estate agent Pat Nuss also was in attendance and told the commission the parcel was listed at $10,000.
Jost said he would be willing to sell the property but was not interested in operating a truck parking lot.
Councilman Bill Holdeman said it would "be a benefit to the city" to own that lot. With that said, he made a motion to purchase it. His motion died for a lack of a second.
"These truckers need somewhere to park," Holdeman pleaded. Councilman Jerry Kline said other options needed to be checked.
Another moratorium, parking in business park
With no resolution in sight for the plight of a handful of truck drivers, the council decided to continue to allow tractor-trailers to park on Marion streets for another two weeks.
City economic development director Jami Williams said she was contacted by Ampride manager Laura Legg and was told there was an vacancy at the business lot.
"It's April 9 and there still is a vacancy so it must not be that big of an issue," Williams said.
Later in the meeting, Williams asked the council for direction regarding a request from an individual who is interested in purchasing some of the back lots at the city's business park and turning that into a truck parking lot.
The area would be fenced in, Williams said, and rock would be used for the lot. The use coincides with light industrial zoning but not with the plans for the business park.
Truckers would pay a fee to park in the secured lot.
"Is this what we want to do with these lots?" Williams asked.
"Zoning's in place, roads are in place, we should proceed," said councilman Jerry Kline.
The area would be 200 feet across and 163 feet deep and would require more lighting.
Williams said Lot 13 was sold for recreational storage because that lot was not conducive for any other use.
City attorney Dan Baldwin said restrictions would need to be included if the council allowed the development so it would not become a "hobby" storage lot where other things might be stored.
Charles Kannady suggested limiting usage because of waste issues such as what could occur from cattle trailers.
City administrator David Mayfield said somebody would have to be responsible for cleanup.
Kline then made a motion that instructed Williams to proceed with negotiations to sell the lots for a truck lot, Holdeman seconded. The motion passed, 3-2, with Stacey Collett and Mayor Olson voting against.
Public forum
Later in the meeting, Rob Hartley of Marion said when he started the discussion of truck parking, he wanted to comply with the city's ordinance.
"We shouldn't have to pay," he said. "It seems foolish."
Hartley asked if there were any truck drivers on the city's planning commission. Darvin Markley is a member and operates a wrecker service and Schwab said he used to drive trucks.
Hartley added that he thought the Jost property on Main Street would be better than at the business park.
Michelle Gooding, daughter of truck driver Dwight Gooding, referred to a letter that her father had sent to the Marion County Record and that her father was not in favor of having to pay for parking. He currently parks at Johnson's General Store in Florence.
"All are being punished for the actions of a few," Gooding said, referring to rumored reasons that Ampride chose to charge those who park.
Gooding suggested city efforts be made in developing a truck stop along U.S.-56 instead of a truck parking lot in the city.
She said it saddened her to see her father and other truck drivers being treated this way.
"I regret calling Marion my hometown," Gooding said.
Darvin Markley asked what the price of the lots at the business park for the truck lot. Williams responded they were $5,000 each.
