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Minutes for the public hearing held on December 14, 1987
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PUBLIC HEARING - DECEMBER 14, 1987
A Public Hearing was held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall regarding the proposed annexation of twenty-six islands within the corporate limits of the municipality. Present were Mayor, City Clerk, City Attorney, and Aldermen Park, Stricklin, Province, Mays, Sanderson, Strauser, Hinson and Nix. Absent were Hannah, Evans, Bridger, and Shelton.
The Mayor opened the meeting and stated positive aspects of annexation to the property owners would be fire and police protection, sanitation services and Class 4 insurance rating. He added that roads would be maintained as they currently exist, and no blacktopping would be done free of charge. All islands would come into the city under the same R-1 and AG for each $100 of assessed valuation, $0.41 would be assessed. City ordinances permit activities in newly annexed areas which would otherwise be prohibited to be carried on as existing non-conforming uses of the land. Only after the operation has ceased for one year would a rezoning be requires.
Jeff Gibson, Public works Director, addressed cessation of use and cited the Jonesboro Code, Section 24, Ord. #954, adopted 4/21/58 stating if active and continuous operations are not carried on with respect to non-conforming use during a period of one year, the building or land were such non-conforming use previously existed shall thereafter be occupied and used only for a non-conforming use.
Council members and the Mayor responded to questions asked by the individuals in attendance. The residents were advised that within an annexed area, property owners cannot opt out of the annexation.
Mayor Brodell stated the council is scheduled to place the proposed ordinance annexing 26 islands on first reading on December 21, 1987, and the successive two readings would be held at the two meetings in January, 1988.