Marcia Barnes • Clay County Progress Town of Hayesville Mayor Joe Slaton and Councilwoman Benita England discuss help for feral cats at the council meeting.
By Marcia Barnes
Staff Writer
Councilwoman Benita England called to order the Town of Hayesville public hearing at 6:30 p.m., Aug. 11. The hearing was in compliance to allow town residents for or against a re-zoning application to be heard. No one contested the application submitted by JWJ of Clay County/Jacky Jones for re-zoning of the parcel of land located on 928 Waldroup Road in Hayesville.
“There were some issues,” Mayor Joe Slaton said, “about comprehensive zone use. The Planning and Zone Board heard this about six weeks ago and advised that it come to the council and the council approved having a hearing tonight.”
A comprehensive land use zone map was provided by Slaton for council members and the public. Slaton said re-zoning the parcel from R2 to C2 did not pose any conflict of land use.
England confirmed that letters had been sent and Slaton said it had been advertised in the newspaper. The property fronts Highway 64 and adjoins other C2s.
“Is this or is this not consistent with the mixed use development in the area,” England said. “If we look at the map, we can see that it is.”
The parcel under consideration touches on two other commercial properties. Slaton asked for further comment, none stated, the hearing was closed.
Re-zoning of the parcel under discussion during the hearing was approved in the Town of Hayesville Council meeting. Slaton said that use of the property would still have to go before the Board of Adjustments where another public hearing has been set for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 28.
Clerk Suzanne Hedden presented a financial report to the council. She said Town Hall has a new roof and that is paid for.
In addition in old business before the council was an update and continuance of feral cat discussion. Slaton said he felt like this was an important issue and a cat could be spayed/neutered, receive a rabies shot, vaccines and pain suppressants for $100 each feral cat. The board approved $2,000 to be set aside for this use.
During the public comment period Historic Hayesville Inc.’s Sandy Zimmerman said they would be donating $500 for the feral cat cause. Zimmerman added that several grants have been applied for and she is confident some will be awarded.
Other new business issues included:
• Landscaping proposal from Flowerchild Gardening Landscaping.
• Expenses for re-seeding and aerating bare spots in Mayor’s Park.
The landscaping proposal was tabled in order to get additional information on ownership of plants, trees and shrubs in question. The $355 cost for the Mayor’s Park was approved.
With no closed session required, the council adjourned.