By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a busy session Thursday night, the Paris City Commission approved an ordinance allowing microbreweries and distilleries in the city of Paris.
The approval comes after planning commission approval, two readings of the proposed ordinance by the city commission and a public hearing which was held at the start of Thursday’s meeting.
City Manager Kim Foster said, “Other communities in Tennessee, as well as here in our county, are experiencing the addition of microbreweries and distilleries. In the past we have been approached by developers interested in possibly locating these establishments within the City of Paris.”
There are no micro-breweries currently planning to locate in Paris, she said. To date the developers who sought those establishments in the city have not seen their plans come to fruition, she said. “In order to attract these types of businesses, a growing segment in many communities, the Planning Commission has reviewed this and referred the attached ordinance amendment for your consideration.”
The commission also approved first reading on a zoning ordinance addressing residential use and occupancy in the city’s commercial district. The planning commission previously approved allowing residential uses in industrial district and Thursday night’s proposed ordinance allows residential occupancy in commercial districts with a special permit use.
The proposed ordinance will be discussed further at the planning commission before being brought back to the city commission.
Foster reported that Martin Paving has been granted a 19-day extension to their contract for the Wilson/Patriot Street paving project. She said they have experienced delays due to weather and the difficulty with supplies and labor.
Martin Paving says the project is ‘substantially complete’ and there was a final walk-through Thursday morning. She said the city is aware of some concrete in a driveway that cracked and that is scheduled to be replaced shortly.
In other business:
Foster said Building Inspector Jesse Skidmore now has received three of his six required B.I. certifications. He and Caleb Murnne have been granted Level 1 Stormwater certfication.
Foster said, “I feel REALLY GOOD about the direction we are moving in as it relates to our building inspection goals. Jesse has made huge improvements in the efficiency of the Building and Codes Department. He is extremely motivated and organized. He is also addressing issues with contractors that should have been addressed a long time ago, but also realizes that not everything can be fixed overnight. His thoughtful and cooperative approach seems to be well received by the construction community.”
The Stormwater area is moving in a positive direction, too, she said. “(City Community Development Director) Jennifer (Morris) took ownership of getting our annual stormwater report completed this year and it has been submitted.”
“We are dividing up the stormwater responsibilities with the majority of them moving to Public Works under Caleb’s oversight and he is anxious to put what he has learned into practice. We will continue to tweak our processes and are beginning to meet as a stormwater team.”
—Foster said the city has been awarded $3,300 for a continuation of the Back Alley project. As usual, there is a 50 percent match required. Muralist Dan Knowles will be creating another mural for the west alley—this one covering the city’s second hundred years.
—The city is still waiting on award announcements for the sidewalk project for Fairgrounds and Royal Oak streets.
Photo: City Commission considers a busy agenda at Thursday night’s meeting. Shannon McFarlin photo.