Council remains progressive with zoning change

2105 0818 City Council (11)The Howe City Council waged war on apathy over the past few years when it comes to being business-friendly and open for commerce. That attitude was soundly reinforced on Tuesday night at the monthly city council meeting.

Debbie Wallis, owner of Salvage Junky, who has been in business in Howe for over two years now recently moved from the downtown district to the edge of the business district at 200 S. Denny St. With that relocation eventually came a complaint filed with the city by residential neighbor Steve and Kathy Tolbert. The Tolberts, who have a reputation of a superb yard, say it is not personal with Wallis, but feels like the outdoor displaying of merchandise is not sightly.

The property is zoned C-1, which does not allow for businesses to display merchandise outside of the business. In order for Salvage Junky to keep her “junk” outside, she and her landlord Jeff Wilson petitioned to have the zoning changed from a C-1 to a C-2 which does allow for merchandise to be displayed outdoors.

The first step in the process to change the zoning required a trip in front of the city’s planning and zoning committee (P&Z). With nothing resolved either way by the P&Z, the overall zoning issue would go in front of the council without a referral either way from the committee.

Building owner Jeff Wilson stated that his tenant is a very good business woman and has good reputation in the community.

“I certainly believe that in order to be progressive, you want to have something there.” said Wilson. “That (the zone change) is really the only way that she’s going to be able to showcase items for what she does. I like the rent, but the building’s paid for. It’s just going to sit there. All I’m concerned about now is for this tenant to be able to do what she needs to do and that’s to display items up front.”

Wilson then offered to place a six-foot wooden fence from the back of the property line that would run all the way to the front.

Wallis then showed the council before and after pictures of the building to show the improvements she has made to the structure.

“When I moved downtown, there were bars on the windows and used for storage. Abby’s wasn’t there and virtually there weren’t very many businesses there.” said Wallis. “I came in and painted, cleaned, and tried my best to make that downtown building look alive. I did the same thing when I moved. I was looking for a place close to downtown so I could still be involved with all of the downtown festivals. There’s really not a lot of options for commercial businesses in Howe. We put a lot of work into it to make it work.”

Wallis said that the move tripled her space but also tripled her expenses. She said in order to attract customers, she needs the ability to showcase items outside of her store.

“I’m not trying to ask for a C-2 in the middle of a neighborhood that has home association rules.” said Wallis. “If it was my house, I wouldn’t paint it turquoise, but it’s a business and I need for people to see it.”

Wallis participated at the Back to School Blues Downtown Block Party and had vendors on her parking lot on August 1.

As official course of action, the city sent letters to surrounding neighbors to be able to state their opposition of the zoning change. Only one was returned out of the eleven, which left the others indifferent which in effect counted as pro zone change.

The Tolberts, who were in opposition got a chance to state their case to the council as well.

2105 0818 City Council (12)“We’ve been at this property for 30 years.” said Kathy Tolbert. “We love Howe and we chose Howe to raise our children. Our church family is here. I work in a big city and I like the serenity of Howe.  I come home and it’s peaceful and quiet. I didn’t want to live in a big city or we’d have moved there.”

Tolbert stated that she is proud of her bird sanctuary and environmentally-friendly garden-like home. She stated that when they first moved there, the building was a car repair center and that they were thankful when the business left after having then Mayor Ray Bledsoe talk to them.

They were happy with previous tenant Todd Creekmore of Advantage Business Machines because his business was kept inside.

Tolbert stated that when Wallis and her first met that the building was white and looked very nice. “Then the red trim started going up and I thought it was a nice accent.” said Tolbert. “Then the teal colors started going up and the mustard yellow back-splash started going up and the big sign was erected on top that is lighted. I started getting a little concerned so I called Joy at the city.”

After Joy Stevens, city secretary sent Tolbert the definition of a C-1 zone, Tolbert saw that it stated that items cannot be placed outside of the building.

“All of this ironwork and old tires, pots, concrete bird baths – all of this stuff and I was like – that’s terrible. I just couldn’t stand the thought of it.”

Stevens informed Tolbert that she needed to talk to City Manager Joe Shephard. Shephard advised Tolbert to talk to Wallis about the issues.

“It’s not a personal issue. It’s just that we want our home to be neat and clean and nice and tidy and to me it looks like flea market, trade day things.” said Tolbert. “I love to go to trade days and I love to go to flea markets. But not next to me.”

Tolbert also stated that she thought the Salvage Junky property was too small for traffic which caused a safety concern.

After Tolbert plead her case, Mayor Jeff Stanley opened it up for anyone else to speak for or against the zone change. Steve Davis, owner of Don’s Smokehouse backed the zone change and stated that at some point, downtown ends and residential begins. He supported the fence arrangement originally initiated by Wilson.

Debbie Wallis’ husband Ron also stated on her behalf that Salvage Junky items are not flea market items, but a hot market labeled “junk market.”

In discussions, councilman Bill French wanted to seek clarification that if the zone was changed to C-2, that it be automatically rezoned to C-1 with a change in tenant.

Council member Debbie Lowery motioned to approve the zone request to C-2 with a 10-day period for the Tolberts and Wilson to come to an agreement on a fence. The motion was seconded by French. The council approved the zoning change to the C-2 with all in favor and no opposition.

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Driver tells officers he fell asleep

On Sunday, August 23, Howe Police Officers investigated a vehicle accident on the west access road of US 75 south of FM 902. The 26-year-old Irving man told the officers that he fell asleep and woke up after his vehicle left the roadway and flipped a couple of times. The driver was not injured. Howe FD and Van Alstyne EMS responded to the scene.
Howe accident
Photo courtesy of Howe Police Department
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40 years in prison for seventh DWI arrest

Wesley CravensOn August 20, 2015, Wesley Lynn Cravens, 53, of Bonham, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for Driving While Intoxicated – 3rd Or More.    The sentence was imposed by 15th District Court Judge Jim Fallon pursuant to a plea agreement Cravens reached with the Grayson County District Attorney’s Office.

On March 29, 2015, at approximately 10 p.m. a concerned motorist called 911 to report a possible intoxicated driver near the intersection of Redbud Street and Cypress Grove Road in Sherman.    The caller had followed a white truck and observed it travelling very erratically, to the point that the driver had almost lost control on at least one occasion.   Arriving just minutes later, Sherman officer Jamie Bunetto located a truck matching the vehicle description parked in the parking lot of Carrus Specialty Hospital.    The truck did not appear occupied, however as Bunetto approached, a man sat upright in the driver’s seat of the truck.

Upon making contact with the man, Bunetto identified him as Wesley Cravens and noticed signs of intoxication, including the smell of alcohol, slurred speech, and glossy eyes.    Bunetto also observed an open can of beer next to Cravens.    Upon removing Cravens from the vehicle, Bunetto noticed the front of his pants to be wet, and upon questioning, Cravens confirmed that he had urinated on himself.   While confrontational with officers, Cravens admitting that he had been driving the vehicle and that he had been drinking.   Officers discovered 13 full and cold beer cans in the vehicle, along with four empty cans.

Cravens refused to complete field sobriety tests at the scene, but was taken to Wilson N. Jones hospital for a blood sample after officers applied for a search warrant for his blood.   Laboratory test results indicated he had a blood alcohol content of .239, three times the normal limit.

“We are very appreciative of members of the public being willing to call police when they see possible drunk drivers,” said Assistant District Attorney Brett Smith, who prosecuted the case.  “Since the officer found him parked, we might not have been able to prove that he had been driving if it wasn’t for the citizen who called in.    It is important for folks to give their names and be willing to testify if necessary in these cases.”

“Mr. Cravens criminal history included six prior DWI convictions from other counties, including three felony offenses, and he was on parole at the time he committed after being released from prison on a case out of Denton County,” said Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown.   “By the time you are arrested for your seventh DWI, you have had many opportunities to fix the problem, and you are absolutely endangering the public.”

Cravens was represented by Gainesville attorney Jeremy Oney.

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Girlfriend attempts to run over boyfriend, ends up in jail

IMG_2570August 18 – At approximately 10:07am, Howe Police Officer David Morris and Sgt. Michael Hill responded to call of a domestic dispute that reportedly happened at a residence in the 100 block of West Haning street. A 24-year-old Howe woman left the residence and called police from a residence in the 100 block of N. Hughes. She told police that her live-in boyfriend cut the tire on her vehicle, and that she walked to a friend’s house. Officers met with the 27-year-old boyfriend and he reported that his girlfriend attempted to run over him as he stood in the driveway of their residence. Investigation eventually led to the arrest of the woman for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. An uninvolved witness and evidence at the scene of the alleged offense verified the victim’s claim of assault.

August 4 – At approximately 9:05 pm, Howe Police Officer Brandon Ozuna and Jordan Clark arrested a 27-year-old Durant man and a 24-year-old Denison woman for possessing nearly a quarter of an ounce of methamphetamine. The arrest was the result of a traffic stop on US 75 for a traffic violation and a subsequent Bells PD canine alert on the suspect vehicle. The suspects attempted to destroy the evidence by placing it inside a cup of liquid. This resulted in the added charge of Tampering with Physical Evidence. Both suspects were booked into the Grayson County Jail.

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Help Wanted: Must love dogs and cats

If you are compassionate, patient  and hard-working, we would love to talk with you.  If you have experience, that would be a plus, but we will train.

NO BREEDERS PLEASE

Van Alstyne area, 903-482-6202.  Please call between 11 am – 9 pm.

Mayor recognizes long-standing city employees and council members

 

At the beginning of Tuesday’s city council meeting, Mayor Jeff Stanley recognized employees and council members who had served for five to 20 years of service to the city.

Those recognized were Sgt. Michael Hill for his over five years of service.  Nicky Phillips also received a five-year pin due to his service since 2009.  City Administrator Joe Shephard was honored with his five-year pin.  Georgia Richardson, who has been on the council since 2008 received her five-year pin.  Bert Dowlen earned a 10-year pin and Mayor Stanley received a five-year pin.

The longest tenured were recognized with 20-year pins.  City Secretary Joy Stevens has been with the city since 1991.

Sam Haigis spent two stints on the council, 1979-1987 and 2000-present.

Sgt. Michael Hill - 5 year pin
Mickie Phillips - 5 year pin
Georgia Richardson - 5 year pin
Mayor Jeff Stanley - 5 year pin
Joy Stevens - 20 year pin
Sam Haigis - 20 year pin

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UPS driver taken to hospital after crash

A two-vehicle accident occurred this afternoon at approximately 4:35 on North Denny Street.  Howe Police Sergeant Michael Hill said that a UPS delivery truck driver was making his normal route when he was rear-ended by a silver car.  Hill stated that the driver of the silver car was okay, but the UPS driver complained of injury and was taken to a local hospital.  Hill said that he wasn’t sure whether it was related to distracted driving, but a full investigation will be handled by Officer David Morris.

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