The average citizen in Mount Airy might not understand zoning code designations for residential property, called R-this or R-that, but R-20 zoning will take center stage with city officials this week.
R-20 refers to a general residential district that traditionally has been applied to the fringe areas of Mount Airy which are less populated than the core of the city. These are more wide-open spaces where farm-related enterprises have been allowed along with both single- and multi-family homes, among other varied uses.
But one city commissioner believes it’s time to examine Mount Airy’s R-20 zones and some of the uses permitted there which he considers questionable, and make changes.
“Most of the problems I think exist in the areas that were annexed which have R-20 zoning,” Commissioner Steve Yokeley explained Tuesday. He was referring to a round of annexations undertaken by Mount Airy since 2007 which included the densely populated Hollyview Forest, Sandy Level and Cross Creek communities.
“Which is a zoning classification I don’t think needs to be in some of these areas,” Yokeley added regarding R-20.
“The classification allows some things I don’t think (city) residential areas need to include, such as boardinghouses and mobile homes, too.”
Yokeley indicated that this mainly involves a need to update existing provisions that are outmoded and don’t reflect the residential zoning character elsewhere in town.
“I think it was just an oversight after the annexation several years ago — I just think something needs to be done to change it,” he said of existing zoning language.
The first step in that process could come Thursday, when the city council will discuss the residential zoning issue that was placed on the agenda for a 7 p.m. meeting at Yokeley’s request.
If the board decides to move forward with proposed changes to R-20 zoning, a public hearing will be required to give citizens a chance to weigh in on the proposal.
Other business
Among other items during Thursday night’s meeting, the commissioners are scheduled to:
• Hear a school safety update from Dr. Kim Morrison, superintendent of Mount Airy schools. Morrison’s presentation is coming on the heels of the commissioners voting in December to allocate $7,500 in city funds for security upgrades at Mount Airy High. Another $7,500 appropriation for high school security had been approved in 2015.
During the December meeting, Yokeley said he also would like to explore security needs at other city campuses, while recognizing that those at MAHS are unique because of after-hours sports events and additional factors.
Board members also expressed a willingness to make school security a regular consideration during the annual municipal budget process.
• Receive a report of Mount Airy Fire Department activities for 2016.
• Consider a resolution making city personnel policy amendments to include an incentive program aimed at increasing the ranks of recruits for police department vacancies.
• Make appointments to two groups, the Mount Airy Parks and Recreation Commission and the Tourism Development Authority.
Tom Joyce may be reached at 336-415-4693 or on Twitter @Me_Reporter.