By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
LEEDS – During a regular meeting on Monday, April 3, the Leeds City Council heard two proclamations honoring dispatchers and a recently passed citizen of Leeds before discussing an ordinance that would change the R-5 zoning code for garden homes in the city.
The meeting began with the reading of the proclamations by Mayor David Miller, the first of which was to declare the week of April 10 to 14 Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The council recognized three members of Blount County 911.
These were Brittany Rivera, a dispatcher and telecommunicator, Susan Blackwood, a dispatcher and shift lead and Director Derrick Walker.
The proclamation honors telecommunicators and dispatchers for their role in first response work. Police Chief Paul Irwin and Fire Chief Chuck Parsons spoke in favor of them, with Irwin saying that dispatchers can potentially save the lives of officers when relaying information.
“Some of you may not be aware, but several years ago we shifted to the state recommended system for the 911 program,” Miller said. “We were one of the first in their program to do that, and we went with the Blount County organization, and I think that Chief – both chiefs – will tell you that it’s been a real boon to the city of Leeds.”
Afterwards, Miller and Councilwoman DeVoris Ragland-Pierce presented the other proclamation, this one honoring Rodean Russell, who was a crossing guard for 30 years before her recent passing.
“I think most everybody who’s lived in Leeds for a long period of time like we have and remembers Ms. Rodean and her service to the city for over 30 years,” Miller said. “And with her recent passing thought it was most fitting that the city provide a proclamation, a memorial proclamation to honor Rodean Crawford Russell.”
Sometime afterwards Kenneth Washington brought up an issue that arose with trains blocking tracks in the city. He commended the fire department for resolving it.
Parsons then spoke about several incidents involving trains. One was a report of a train that had a water leak. It was determined that rain had gotten into the train and was being filtered through part of it, leaking contaminated water. He encouraged residents to report blocked crossings at www.fra.dot.gov/blockedcrossings.
The trains were with Norfolk Southern. Miller said that a formal complaint has been filed with the company.
During the regular meeting the council turned its attention to an ordinance that would modify the R-5, Garden Home District code and take R-6, Patio Home District out of the city codes. The modification came at the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission, which believes that it will make garden homes more aesthetically pleasing.
The amendments to the code can be seen on the agenda packet on the city’s website. Zoning chair Eddie Cook said that the modified R-5 code would allow alleyways at all lots for vehicular access at the back of the properties and that front access would only be permitted by exception of the commission. Garbage cans and garbage pickups would also be made in the back of buildings.
Additionally, it would allow more sidewalks and green spaces, he said.
Curtis White, who is president of home building business Curtis White Companies, spoke and said that he supported what the code would do in terms of aesthetics but raised concerns about it increasing the pricing of homes.
“The only problem is that we have an affordability crisis right now with new homes,” he said. “The average new home today – if we can get something under $300,000 would be pretty lucky. I think what’s in Leeds now – probably about ($286,000) above a normal garden home lot. When you go to the alleyway, when you push that garage in the back then you’re increasing the cost of the house.”
After some discussion this ordinance was not passed but was instead considered a first reading and will be brought up at the next meeting.
During public comments, Main Street Leeds Director Amber Vines gave several updates on the program, including a music festival set for June and a membership program to be launched on www.weloveleeds.com.
Randy Ray from the Leeds Historical Society spoke about the upcoming historic downtown walking tour on Saturday, April 15. Afterwards, Donna Williams briefly spoke about train blockages and thanked the city for its response to the recent incidents.
In other business, the council:
- Approved a retail beer license and retail table wine license to Neal B. Jackson, doing business as Jackson Rime Realty,
- Adopted the Division “G” Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan,
- Tabled an executive session due to the length of the meeting and that the subject was “not pressing,”
- Approved a $5,500 to $5,900 budget amendment for the Public Works Department to refurbish holiday lighting, and
- Approved the 2023 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday where school-related items will be sold free of the state sales tax.
Meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of every month at City Hall on 1400 9th Street Northeast. Agenda packets can be seen online at the City of Leeds website.
Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@gmail.com.