Kudos to Councilman Curls

On the whole I don’t have much good to say about the city council–or the mayor. Maybe that’s because of the lack of representation that has been shown to my district. Councilman Curls, however, has shown himself to be a bit different. He actually seems to want what is best for his district, the fifth.

I see on the City Plan Commission docket for Tuesday, he is requesting a moratorium on gas stations. As an environmentalist, I say It’s about time. I almost couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the Mayor declare a climate emergency, but I haven’t seen a lot that he has done in the way of mitigation since uttering those words – quite the disappointment. Even empty words garner publicity and most people would believe he would follow through with something meaningful. KC’s loss.

Councilman Curls, however, seems to be stepping up to the plate even if environment wasn’t his first thought. As I understand it, he is opposed to gas stations in his district simply because there are so many already. The fifth district could certainly use some new development, but gas stations don’t really seem to fit the bill. Some have ventured to say they’re simply fronts for liquor stores.

At any rate, this seems to be a positive step in the right direction and it’s heartening to see an elected official seem to have no agenda accept what’s best for his district.

A New Kind of Council?

While I’m a bit behind, some of you may be aware that an On the Go convenience store was proposed for the area at Marion Park Drive and Bannister Road in the Hickman Mills Community. The proposal called for a parking area for 22 semi trucks and 16 gas pumps with no plans to add charging stations for electric vehicles. It sounds like the developer hasn’t heard about climate change, or maybe simply doesn’t care.
Anyway, the proposal made it through the City Plan Commission with a divided vote. It was then sent to the Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee of the city council. That committee voted unanimously to send it to the full council with a recommendation of do not pass. Many in the community were on pins and needles waiting for the council vote.
That vote actually involved 3 separate votes. The first involved approving an amendment to the Hickman Mills Area Plan. That received a unanimous no vote.
The second concerned the rezoning of the property to allow for this type of development. It also received a unanimous no vote. It obviously would not meet the requirements set forth in the area plan which the council agreed to not amend.
The final issue concerned another rezoning and received a 12-1 vote with Bough being the lone holdout. Many wonder why she voted to change the zoning from what was in the area plan since she voted to not amend the area plan; but she’s a city councilwoman, so there’s probably no way to figure it out. The one thing we do know, is that she wasn’t supportive of her fifth district colleagues who were supportive of their constituents.
In a great turn of events and departure from the past, Darrell Curls and Ryana Parks-Shaw, who represent this area, actually listened to their constituents.
We applaud them and also the other members of the council who decided to be supportive of those who know the area they represent best. Kudos to 11 council representatives and the Mayor. Maybe this council really will keep constituents first in mind when making decisions which affect them. That would certainly be a pleasant departure from past practices.