Short But Sweet: Planning Commission Meets



The Woodbury Planning Commission held its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night at Woodbury City Hall.

While the meeting was relatively short, lasting only about 35 minutes, there was some sweet news to come out of the proceedings.

Woodbury Mayor Harold Patrick said that two new retailers are looking into opening up shops on the Woodbury Town Square once the courthouse revitalization project is complete. That announcement came on the heels of a bit of sour news — McFerrin Printing has officially closed its downtown location.

Patrick also said that as work nears completion on the revitalization project, parking had once again become available in the interior lot which surrounds the courthouse.

The biggest jobs remaining on the project are the paving of N. Cannon and N. Tatum streets. Cannon is being done this week, and Tatum next week. New sidewalks on Cannon and Main St. are also on the to-do list.

Patrick said he thinks the project will be completed by the end of the third week of July.

In other business the planners:

• Cleared the way for the paving of a parking lot on S. Cannon St. which is owned by and serves the Woodbury Nursing Center. A variance granted by the planning commission has allowed it to be a gravel lot up until now, but the variance is set to expire. Woodbury Public Works Director Alan Paschal said a design for the paved lot has been done that will hopefully prevent rushing water from flooding businesses below the lot should it rain heavily.

• Heard from Mayor Patrick that the county is looking into parking regulations for the courthouse lot. The town has also been considering imposing parking restrictions in the downtown area. Patrick said he wants to see what the county does before the town takes action.

• Approved the 2010-2011 Annual Performance Report and Planning Program Design, a detailed evaluation of the community's overall planning program which also serves as a specific guide for activities to be addressed during the upcoming year by the commission.

• Sent a get-well letter and card to commission member Walter Alexander, who has missed the last two meetings due to illness.