Planning and zoning issues were one of the main topics at the Nevis City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 11.
Council member Sue Gray, who is on the city planning and zoning commission, said the issue was brought to their awareness when a resident on Miller Street requested a fence permit. It was discovered that the fence would be on a city alley.
The property owner also needs to request a variance for their garage, as its roof overhangs into the alley.
Gray reported that two letters have been sent by the city, but there has been no response from the homeowner.
The next step will be to have the city attorney write a letter to the property owners.
The planning and zoning commission will look into a survey of the property, and the council will talk about the issue again next month.
Unmaintained alleys in the city were also discussed. The planning and zoning commission was asked to review the issue and bring suggestions to the council.
Gray also brought up the need for more work on the rental ordinance. A committee was formed in 2022, but hasn’t met recently. Issues that need to be addressed include inspections and fines.
“We have more rental properties now and also Airbnbs,” she said.
Mayor Jeanne Thompson said she hopes to finish work on these issues by the end of the year. She will reach out to the planning and zoning commission and the committee. Once a draft is prepared, it will be shared with the council to review before finalizing the ordinance.
Nevis Muni businessThe council greed to work with the city attorney to cancel a previous agreement with RDS and find a better point-of-sale system for the liquor store that will do both on- and off-sale and could save the city thousands of dollars.
They also referred the issue of having the Muni’s off-sale open at noon on Sunday instead of 11 a.m. to the liquor committee, along with the need for full- and part-time staff.
They heard that the store is still in the process of looking for someone to put in a new hoist to replace the old elevator.
In other business, the council:
- Heard a public comment from Gray, who said she was speaking as a citizen not a council member, that someone sent her a photo showing a vehicle displaying a confederate flag at the recent Marine Corps BBQ in Nevis, sponsored by the Nevis Municipal Liquor Store. “It saddened me to see this symbol of disunity displayed at a city event,” she said.
- Approved $1,000 to purchase fall hoodies and camo items with Muni logo to offer for sale.
- Heard from Hubbard County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Oswald that ATV traffic complaints on the north side of town have been addressed, and black bears have been making the rounds of town.
- Approved buying a new lift station pump to replace one that failed with the money from the sanitation fund.
- Heard that work is being done to repair part of the beach wall at the city park, with further work to be done next spring.
- Approved a liquor license for Jessa Guggisberg, the new owner of Tavern 203 in the building that was previously Cindy Lou’s.
- Discussed a citizen complaint for noise during a band performance at the Iron Horse.
- Heard a suggestion that the city look into grant funding for an addition to the liquor store.
Lorie Skarpness has lived in the Park Rapids area since 1997 and has been writing for the Park Rapids Enterprise since 2017. She enjoys writing features about the people and wildlife who call the north woods home.
