Stephens City council adopts refuse and weeds, tightens rules for transient rentals; B-1 zoning amendment moves forward

At its Oct. 1 meeting, the Stephens City Town Council approved two ordinances and accepted readings on a zoning text amendment.

The clerk read the ordinance titles by title only. The council approved the third reading and adoption of "Chapter 16 Refuse and Weeds." Council also approved the third reading of Chapter 19, described in the reading as "An ordinance to amend Article VI of chapter 19 regarding operations of transient overnight accommodations within town to add regulations of both owners and agents for operations in residential dwellings as well as expand penalties and charges for violations." Councilwoman Regina Swygert-Smith moved to accept the third readings and the motions carried with the vote recorded in the minutes.

The council also accepted the first and second readings of a Text Amendment to B-1 (23-362), described as "Text Amendment to B-1 23-362. Historic Business District B-1. Use Regulations." Councilwoman Swygert-Smith moved to accept the first reading and Councilman Pete Fravel moved to accept the second reading; both motions carried with the same recorded vote pattern among members present.

The minutes do not record substantive debate or amendments to the ordinance language at the Oct. 1 meeting. The council vote as recorded in the minutes for these items lists Linden A. Fravel Jr. — absent; Pete Fravel — aye; Mariah Smith — aye; Tina Stevens — absent; Regina Swygert-Smith — aye; Brian Woodruff — aye.

The B-1 text amendment will require any further required readings or procedural steps listed under local code before final adoption.