Commission approves New City Thrift permit; mayor abstains from vote

The Harrison Planning Commission approved a permit for New City Thrift, a thrift-store project proposed by Christ's Loving Hands, but Mayor Grubs abstained from the vote because of a stated relationship with the organization.

Director Mark, representing Christ's Loving Hands, described the thrift store as a way for the ministry to accept donated goods and to return proceeds to community services. "...all the proceeds that it generates would go back into services that help our community," he said. Mark said the group hopes to operate eventually from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Staff reported the site at 112/122 North State Street is properly zoned for retail under Section 1143 of the Harrison zoning regulations and recommended the same conditions previously attached to downtown retail permits: waste disposed in residential-style containers, review and approval required for any future dumpster, and permits required for any future interior or exterior improvements, landscaping, lighting or signage.

When the commission moved to approve the staff recommendations, the motion passed with several members voting yes and Mayor Grubs abstaining. Mayor Grubs said, "I'm going to abstain because of my relationship and the mayor's funds relationship with Christ loving hands in this city." Staff and other commissioners praised the ministry's community service record during the discussion.

The approval allows Christ's Loving Hands to proceed with the proposed thrift store subject to the building and zoning conditions; any future changes such as signage or dumpsters will require additional review.