Paris council approves rezoning at 203 Northeast 20th Street for thrift store

The Paris City Council voted Feb. 24 to rezone 203 Northeast 20th Street from an office district to a general retail district to allow a thrift store to open.

Miss Easton told the council that Jesse Bridges owns the corner property at Price and Northeast 20th and that the proposed business is called "Steve's Fines." Miss Easton said the property is currently zoned office but the change is sought so a thrift store could operate there, and that the planning and zoning commission recommended approval.

Council members asked questions about parking and adjacencies. One council member asked, "Is there ample parking?" Miss Easton replied that parking is located in the rear, with limited frontage spaces on 20th and that signage might be needed to direct customers to the rear lot. The presiding officer noted a childcare facility abuts the property to the west and several churches and other businesses are nearby.

After discussion the council member who moved the motion said, "I'll make the motion to approve the petition of mister Bridges for a change in zoning from an office district to a retail district in the city of Paris," another council member seconded the motion and the presiding officer called the vote. The council approved the rezoning.

The ordinance will enable the property owner to pursue opening the thrift store once any administrative or permitting steps are completed. No members of the public spoke during the public hearing.

The council did not record a roll-call vote with individual tallies in the transcript.