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Monterey approves landscape business
BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
 | | Two public hearings and two conditional use permit reviews filled the Highland County Modular conference center for the last planning commission meeting of the year Dec. 20. Among the attendees who spoke at the meeting were (l-r) Tom Atkeson, Delana Kelly, planner Doug Gutshall (he sat out during the public hearing for the variance on the sign for the ABC store because he owns the property the store is located on), David Botkin, Matt Blagg, Jim Sponaugle, Lee Blagg, Lori and Stephen Botkin, and Grady Gutshall. (Recorder photo by James Jacenich) |
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MONTEREY - The Highland County Planning Commission and Monterey Town Council held a joint public hearing Dec. 20 on a variance request for an additional directional sign for Monterey's Alcoholic Beverage Control store and a conditional use application for David Botkin's proposed landscape supply business.
Botkin asked the town to consider approving his request to operate a landscape supply business on property owned by Myrtle H. Holland on Mill Alley near the intersections of Clover Lane and Water Street. He intends to stockpile mulch, gravel, and at least 25-30 pallets of landscaping block. Holland's property, rented by Botkin, is zoned B-2, general business.
A number of people, in person or by letter, supported Botkin's application.
Several letters said the debris on Holland's property, left there since an abandoned cinder block structure collapsed following a windstorm two years ago, should be removed.
Tate Swecker, who owns property on Mill Alley Courtyard adjacent to the proposed landscape business site, wrote that while she was in support of Botkin's proposal, the "debris is unsightly." Susan Swecker, who owns a house directly across from the firehouse and adjacent to Holland's property, wrote that she supported Botkin as well, but someone needed to "remove the unsightly mess. It is a blight to the community and a possible environmental hazard." "I'll keep it nice and clean," said Botkin. "I keep it mowed. I can't tell you it (debris) will be removed. Gradually, I will take care of cleaning it up. I can't speak for Mrs. Holland. I've already cleaned it up without accepting a penny for it. I can only do what she will let me do. Mrs. Holland, she will only let me do what she will let me do. Eventually, I think you will see that cleaned up. If you go ask her real nicely things can happen. She's an elderly lady and she has her ways about her. I respect that."
Planning commission chairman Jim Cobb said, "It would be up to the town council to decide to remove the debris."
"I'll comply with whatever I've got to comply with," said Botkin.
Botkin said he had checked with the Department of Environmental Quality and would comply with applicable regulations. He said the pesticide in the mulch he will sell doesn't kill fish, it only kills termites.
The Meadows resident Tom Atkeson expressed concern about the hours the business would be open. Botkin said he expected to do business between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. seven days a week during the summer.
Atkeson also asked about equipment storage. Botkin said he would move material around with a Bobcat.
The planners recommended approval of the conditional use without conditions.
Council approved Botkin's conditional use with one condition: that if lighting were to be installed sometime in the future, the town council be notified of that change. Earlier councilman Francis Fenn said any proposed lighting should be designed so it shined downward, not outward, out of respect for neighboring residents.
Planners also held a public hearing on a department of Alcoholic Beverage Control proposal to put up a directional sign on U.S. 250 one block south of the intersection with U.S. 250, pointing the way to its Monterey ABC store. The store has a similar sign in place at the intersection of U.S. 250 and Water Street. No one opposed the placement of the sign. Planners and town council recommended approval. The request now goes before the board of zoning appeals for final approval.
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