Based on a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Winslow City Council approved an ordinance allowing a minor residential subdivision west of Hipkoe Drive and North of Interstate 40. The motion was passed in the absence of council members Judy Howell and Thomas Chacon Sr.
As written in the motion, “Applicant Steven D. Adams is requesting approval of the minor subdivision, to be called, “Hipkoe Subdivision,” to allow for the construction of three single family homes on three parcels of approximately 12,000 square feet each, with the fourth parcel containing a church which is currently occupied and used for public assembly and educational purposes.”
Residents in the area had been against the development because it was previously proposed to contain duplex apartments. The approved ordinance follows the zoning codes and aesthetics of the existing homes adjacent to the lot.
In other development news, the council also approved an ordinance that makes amendments to the Winslow Municipal Code regarding signage. The code previously prohibited neon and incandescent sign lighting within the Route 66 overlay, namely, downtown Winslow. As written in the motion, “Major amendments to chapter 17.80 are necessary to render the code compliant with a recent U.S. Supreme Court case.” In the court case, Reed v. Town of Gilbert, “The Supreme Court unanimously held that municipal sign regulations must be ‘content neutral,’ meaning that the regulations must not contain different size, location and placement requirements based upon the content of the message communicated by the sign or by what type of organization.”
Also allowed under the amendment, sign walkers- “persons who carry, wear, or physically support signs,” and the elimination of, “lengthy and cumbersome brightness regulations for electronic message centers.” This will allow neon and incandescent signs, as well as animated message centers, “Within the commercial Route 66 overlay.” The council approved the motion unanimously, with recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Community Development Director Paul Ferris also presented a public hearing regarding the annexation of 187.15 acres on Arizona State Highway 87, south of Airport Road. The property is across Highway 87 from what the former Duke City lumber processing facility. Ferris wrote, “The annexation, which will place the subject property within the City limits, will provide future development with the city utility rates, zoning and building regulations and emergency services that are currently provided to all other properties within City limits.”
Currently, the property is available for sale for industrial development but city officials did not confirm whether there is a potential buyer at this time. Arizona State Law requires a public hearing in the event of an annexation, as well as an annexation petition and a 30-day waiting period. Ferris said, “An ordinance approving the annexation can be approved by the City Council after the conclusion of the waiting period.” In this case, 30 days will conclude Jan. 14. There were no public comments during the hearing.
In other business, the council also:
* Heard a presentation from Winslow Police Chief Dan Brown regarding the former 3Bs truck stop located at 2201 N. Park Drive.
* Presented a token of appreciation to recently retired WPD Sergeant Ken Havlicek. Havlicek has 32 years of law enforcement experience, with 17 of those years in Winslow. Havlicek officially retired in December.
* Approved the appointment of Tim Westover, the current deputy director of public works, to director of public works following the retirement of Allan Rosenbaum.
* Approved the recommendation of the Airport Advisory Committee to negotiate with Coffman Associates for airport planning and environmental services, and to negotiate with C & S Companies for airport engineering design and construction management, both at Winslow Lindbergh Regional Airport.
* Approved an encroachment permit for resident Lawrence Butler at 161 Pima Drive for construction of a three foot tall fence along the curb adjoining Pima Drive.
* Approved the monthly financial report for November, which showed that citywide revenues for the month totaled $1.1 million bringing year to date total revenues to just over $6.4 million. Expenditures for the period were nearly $2.1 million with year to date expenditures to $8.6 million. The cash balance as of October 31, 2017, was $2.1 million. Jouen said the city is within its projected budget.
The next scheduled meeting of the Winslow City Council is 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 23, in the council chambers located at 115 E. Second Street. The public is invited to attend, and the agenda can be found on the city website at www.winslowaz.gov.
