Members of the Holbrook Planning and Zoning Commission reluctantly accepted the resignation of Chairman Matthew Barger during a meeting held Dec. 4.
Barger has served on the commission for 18 years, including 15 as chairman.
“I’m happy to have served. It was interesting and sometimes challenging,” Barger said. “I’d like to thank the city and the community for allowing me to serve in that position.”
Barger’s resignation is effective Dec. 31, however, the city has already begun advertising for applicants to fill the position. He noted in his resignation letter that his last date would be sooner if an individual was found to fill his position.
Anyone interested in serving on the commission should submit a letter of interest to City Clerk Cher Reyes at city hall. Applicants must be residents of the city.
Letters of interest will be reviewed by the mayor, who will then select a candidate to fill the vacancy. The mayor’s selection must be ratified by the city council.
The planning and zoning commission is charged with making recommendations and decisions regarding all types of zoning within the city. Commissioners also review requests for special use permits and help guide city planning efforts. In most cases, the commission does not make the final decision, but instead investigates the issues and makes a recommendation to the city council.
In Holbrook, the planning and zoning commission does not meet regularly. Meetings are called as necessary when there are requests for special use permits or other decisions regarding zoning must be made.
In other action Dec. 4, the commission:
* Approved a special use permit to allow horses to be kept at 601 Mission Lane.
Horses were formerly kept at the property under a “grandfather” clause, but now a new special use permit is required. Conditions set for the permit include requirements that stables must be at least 40 feet from the property line and each horse must have at least 600 square feet of containment space. If more than three complaints are received, the commission will review the permit.
* Approved a conditional use permit for Dr. Sam Bowman to conduct a home business at 1821 Hill Road.
The permit will allow Dr. Bowman to see chiropractic patients in a home office at the location. Conditions of the permit require that no more than 25 percent of the home be used for business purposes and only family members be employed at the site.
