By Lucky Kidd
GREAT BEND, Kan. — The absence of three members factored into two decisions made by the Great Bend City Council Monday night.
The Council voted to send back to the planning commission its recommendation to rezone a property at 1620 Baker from residential to general commercial. The property is a narrow lot its owner wants to use for storage which would be fenced. Due to setback requirements any structure on that lot could only be 12 ½ feet wide.
The decision to send it back came after one member said she would vote against the change, which the Planning Commission overruled a staff recommendation to approve. With an eight-member council, it takes five votes to pass an ordinance and with only five members present that one vote would be enough to reject it.
The Council on a similar vote turned down an ordinance that would have allowed golf carts on certain city streets as it allows with certain types of utility work vehicles and micro trucks.
A resolution was adopted ordering abatement of nuisances on a property at 915 Jefferson. Assistant City Administrator Logan Burns said this involved an accumulation of junk and assorted other issues.
The Council was able to approve the vacation of a 6′ wide by 100′ long right of way easement along Williams Street south of Forest Avenue at the request of The Landing LLC as part of a project to create an outdoor courtyard on this property.
