Commissioners to consider zoning changes

Two rezoning requests and some routine annual allocations are the highlights of a relatively-slim agenda for Tuesday night's meeting of Bedford County Board of Commissioners, perhaps marking the calm before the storm as the commission braces itself for what is expected to be a difficult budget year.

The commission meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the second floor courtroom in the county courthouse. Ample public seating is available, and the meeting is broadcast live on local radio and recorded for later broadcast on cable television.

Jamie Garrett is requesting that two properties -- one at 2686 U.S. 41-A North, currently occupied by the Hen House Restaurant, the other at 2678 U.S. 41-A North, currently occuipied by Garrett's Automotive -- be rezoned from A-1 (agriculture) to C-2 (commercial).

The current uses are allowed as special exceptions within the agriculture zone. Almost any zone in the county zoning resolution has certain uses that are allowed automatically, and a list of other specific uses that are allowed only as "special exceptions," requiring permission from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Although the current uses are allowed, changing the zoning would allow the current or future owners more flexibility, according to discussion at last month's meeting of the rules and legislative committee.

Both the county planning commission and the county commission's rules committee have recommended in favor of the change.

The commission will consider three resolutions submitted by Bedford County Highway Department. The first would allow the department to apply for its annual litter grant from the state. The second would allow an allocation of $7,000 to Shelbyville & Bedford County Senior Citizens Center for its operation of public transit vans in the county. The third would allow the highway department to work for other governmental entities. Those entities still have to reimburse the county for its costs.

Also submitted by Highway Superintendent Stanley Smotherman, in his other role as director of Bedford County Solid Waste Authority's disposal program, was a resolution allowing Smotherman to apply for a waste tire collection grant.

The commission will consider two appointments to the Shelbyville & Bedford County Library Board. Fred Hunt has been nominated to succeed Barry Cooper, and Lynn Hulan has been nominated for reappointment to her current seat.