Oct. 3, 2012 — Grayson City Council met in special session on Thursday and again on Monday to discuss the implications of paving streets in the Promised Land Estates subdivision.
The streets apparently do not meet the city’s specifications for adoption under its current zoning ordinance.
They were accepted, however, under a prescriptive use clause which allows the city to assume ownership of a pass way that has been in public use for a period of five years.
Under this scenario, the city is only obligated to maintain the streets in their current condition, which would mean keeping them graveled and graded.
The city’s zoning ordinance, adopted in 2001, has specific guidelines on street dimensions and paving materials, all of which should have fallen to the property developer to meet before the subdivision was annexed into the city.
That ordinance, however, was not enforced when development was taking place at Promised Land Estates.
“According to our ordinance, there should never have even been a building permit issued,” said Mayor George Steele.
Dust is a significant issue in the area due to the heavy volume of gravel on the current streets. Laying blacktop most likely would eliminate the problem.
Council plans to consider several options for paving the streets. One would see the paving done in sections and another will estimate the cost of doing all the work at once.
“We need to take care of these people,” said Council member Pearl Crum.
Council also approved the first reading of an amended water rate ordinance that decreases the surcharge for out-of-town customers.
Currently, these customers pay $16 but the council voted to lower the rate to $5.
A public hearing concerning the rate change is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 5 p.m. at City Hall. It would take place just before the next regular Council meeting.
Joe Lewis can be reached at jlewis@journal-times.com or by telephone at 286-4201.
