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.
“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.
