Anderson Council elects Greg Graham president, advances rezoning ordinance for tree service

The Anderson City Council elected Councilman Greg Graham as council president and Holly Dixon as president pro tem during its June 8 organizational session.

Graham, who received the majority of nominations and roll-call support, thanked members and pledged to keep an open door. “I’m very, it’s an honor to be elected president of the council,” Graham said after the vote.

The council then took up Ordinance 33-25, a proposed zone-map amendment affecting a roughly 13-acre parcel identified in the ordinance as 2927 South Rangeline Road. Planning staff told the council the petition had passed the Plan Commission 6-0 and staff recommended approval as the proposed I-1 industrial zoning is compatible with nearby uses.

Petitioner Michael Johnson, the owner of Modern Tree Solutions, told the council the rezoning would allow him to keep a residence on the parcel while relocating his tree-cutting business and crane services there and eventually expand into landscape supply. He said the change would support local jobs and business growth.

Council called the question and recorded a roll-call vote; the ordinance "has passed its first reading." Staff noted that if the petition is ultimately approved, outside storage associated with the business would require a special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals. The council later conducted a second reading and recorded unanimous support; a third reading was scheduled for a later meeting before final adoption.

No formal amendments or conditions were adopted at this meeting.