Council introduces rezoning update for 54 parcels and permit-fee changes

The Jasper City Council on May 6 heard introductions of two ordinances: a rezoning update that will move 54 parcels from a municipal-reserve designation to current-use zoning, and an amendment to the city’s building and infrastructure permit fee schedule.

Brett McCarver, speaking to the council, said the rezoning effort updates the official zoning map by converting municipal reserves to current-use designations—mainly R-1 single-family and some M-1 light industrial—and that the process requires public hearings. “Basically, what this is, just to remind you, is where we're all we're doing is updating our zoning map from municipal reserve to current use zoning. Nothing's changing, but we are required to have public hearing,” McCarver said.

McCarver also introduced an ordinance to amend permit fees for building permits, excavation and other infrastructure work, and said the new fees would take effect Oct. 1 to allow a transition period if the council adopts the ordinance at the next meeting.

Both items were introduced for future consideration; no final votes on the ordinances were taken at the May 6 meeting. Staff indicated the rezoning will proceed through required public hearings over the coming months and that the permit-fee changes are scheduled to take effect at the start of the fiscal year, if adopted.