South Charleston Council has given preliminary approval to a rezoning request that would make way for a new commercial development along Jefferson Road.
According to a proposed ordinance approved Thursday evening, local businessmen John D. Smallridge Jr. and Frank A. Baer III want to rezone vacant property south of Dapplewood Road and north of Forrest Edge Drive from R-2 (residential district) to C-10 (general commercial district) "to develop a mini storage/warehouse/office/retail center."
South Charleston's Municipal Planning Commission approved the zoning change on May 11 "because there were no objections to such rezoning and the new designation is consistent with the use of similar property along Jefferson Road," according to the proposed ordinance.
The zoning change must be approved once again at a future council meeting before it can become final.
In other action Thursday evening, Council approved Mayor Frank Mullens' appointment of Andrew Byrd to the city's Economic Development Authority.
Byrd, a resident of Whispering Way, is a lawyer and a Democrat who represents the 35th District in the state House of Delegates.
During announcements, Public Works Director Gerald Burgy said the city will form a swim team for the upcoming season and will offer swim lessons throughout June and July for ages 4 and up.
Both swim activities will be at the Little Creek pool. For more information call 304-744-4731.
Burgy also announced that the beautification project has begun on MacCorkle Avenue near the Dow Chemical Co.
Mullens said city street paving is expected to start the first week of June.
Mullens also announced that the 57th Annual South Charleston Herbert J. Thomas Memorial Hospital Armed Forces Day Parade will step off at noon Saturday on D Street.
Mullens said that despite one published report, the Summerfest Around the Mound Car Show will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 20.
"It has not moved, it is on, it has always been on," he stressed.
Ward 2 Councilman Mark Wolford, who has been organizing the show, said that to commemorate the 15th year of the show being held during Summerfest, the registration fee for car owners will be 99 cents.
The first 200 owners who pay the fee will receive a T-shirt and a dash plaque. Registered owners also will be entered in a drawing for $100 that will be given away every 30 minutes of the show.
The drawing is for car owners only, and the owners and their cars must be present to win.
Wolford also announced that the Spring Hill SpringFest will be June 11.
Ward 7 Councilman Jamie Sibold said two "Little Free Libraries" will be dedicated May 27.
He said one will be installed at the Ruth Wells Memorial Garden near the intersection of Montrose Drive and the Kanawha Turnpike. The other will be installed in Joplin Park. City Manager Rick Atkinson said construction of Fire Station No. 1 is nearing completion. He estimated the grand opening will be in late June.
During a Finance Committee meeting prior to the council meeting, Mullens criticized the Police Pension Board for paying high fees, receiving low returns, and not acting to correct the situation. Mullens sits on the board but only gets a vote if there's a tie "and there's never a tie," he said.
Mullens said the Fire Pension Board, in contrast, is doing well.
Atkinson said the pension performance figures will be distributed to employees quarterly.
All members of council attended Thursday's council meeting.
Council's next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. June 2 on the second floor of City Hall on D Street.