By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Choctaw Lake resident Jane Herman is seeking rezoning of property on State Route 56 northwest of London for the purpose of building an assisted living retirement community.
The 6.25-acre parcel sits across the street from the Madison Lanes bowling alley and is zoned residential. Herman is asking for a variance to change the zoning to business. She is purchasing the property from London resident Paul Gross.
Following a public hearing on Feb. 13, the London Planning Commission recommended approval of Herman’s rezoning application.
London City Council must vote on the recommendation. Prior to that vote, council will hold two more readings of the request and a public hearing. The first reading took place Feb. 20. The public hearing is set for 6:30 p.m. April 3 in council chambers, 6 E. Second St., London.
“We will break ground as soon as the city puts the final stamp of approval on the rezoning,” said Herman.
The Bluebird Retirement Community will feature 36 single and double occupancy apartments under one roof, as well as a physical therapy gym, small movie theater and 1950s-themed malt shop. The facility will have a staff of 30 to 35 employees.
Herman is inviting property owners within 200 feet of the rezoning request to a neighborhood meeting on March 12. She will review the proposed building plans and answer questions about the project.
She said the facility should open late this year.
Sale of Armory
Council continues to mull over offers to purchase the Armory, a city-owned building on East Second Street across from the city administration building.
“Because more than one offer was received, council is weighing which to accept,” said city law director Zahid Siddiqi following a closed-door session during which council discussed the property.
While council has not made public the names of those making offers, Joe Mullins of London addressed council in open session about his desire to buy the building. Mullins is a member of Crossroads Community Church, which rented the Armory for an after-school program until the lease ran out late last year.
Mullins said the church would continue to run the after-school program, open gyms and family game nights if council accepts his bid.
Council action items
Council approved the following legislation:
• appropriation of $45,000 for improvements at the wastewater treatment plant involving installation of a septic receiving station;
• fees to cover city expenses related to petitions for vacating alleys and renaming streets;
• appropriation of $40,000 for the potential purchase of road salt;
• an increase of $2,000 in city council’s budget line for the potential purchase of notebook computers for city council members and the council clerk.
Zoning administrator
The city hired London resident Paul Oswalt as a part-time zoning administrator. He will work a maximum of 10 hours per week. His primary function is code enforcement for issues such as high grass and junk vehicles.
Mayor appointments
Mayor David Eades made the following appointments: Lisa Jackman and Bill Long to the tree commission; Steve Lelonek and Gloria Penwell to the historic district review board; and Lisa Christensen to the building and zoning administration. One seat remains open on the tree commission. For more information, call the city administration building at (740) 852-3243.
