Published: July 10, 2009 01:47 pm      

Konawa council continues residence debate

Konawa — During Thursday evening's council meeting, the debate continued in Konawa on whether or not to allow people to live in buildings located on Main Street.

Council voted to go into executive session. After only 15 minutes, the public in attendance was informed by City Attorney William Huser that it was not necessary for council to be in executive session.

Council came out of executive session and resumed its discussion on a request from Cliff Moore to allow him to live on Main Street. Council passed an ordinance earlier this year prohibiting residences on the ground floor in buildings on Main Street which are zoned in a business district.

Mayor Bob Rounsaville said he doesn’t think the city has the right to tell residents what they can or cannot do with their property. Councilwoman Karla Coffee suggested a “grandfather clause” that would allow Moore and two other property owners to maintain their residences which were already set up before the ordinance was passed.

Councilwoman LaDonna Bryce said she was concerned the business district would disappear if residences were allowed in an area strictly zoned for businesses.

Huser said if a grandfather clause or variance were granted, it would have to be worded specifically.

Rounsaville made a motion to allow a grandfather clause, with specific wording that the property owner must be the primary resident(s). If the current owners move, sell the property, die, or transfer the title, the location must be reverted back to business.

Rounsaville and Coffee voted for the motion while Bryce and Councilwoman Latrelle Ellis voted against it.

The fifth councilmember, Vice Mayor Larry Chesser, was not present, leaving a stalemate vote. The item was tabled to the next council meeting.

In other business, no action was taken on revising chapter nine of the Fire Prevention Code regarding allowing burning inside city limits.

Rounsaville said he witnessed residents who set a fire north of their home while the wind was out of the north.

“There’s a lot of people retarded or something,” Rounsaville said.

Council requested the code be reworded allowing police officers to enforce burning codes, such as fireworks inside city limits.

City Manager Rita LoPresto informed council the new cemetery has been replatted and the new map should be delivered to her office Friday. She said she is looking at bids on the demolition of the old nursing home and hopes to begin making progress within a month. Sidewalk construction is also set to begin on Main Street.

Council and residents in attendance were reminded the postponed Fourth of July fireworks display was rescheduled for Saturday at 9 p.m.