Perry removes Courtney Hodges from Downtown

The Perry City Council, continuing its work of streamlining city ordinances, on Tuesday removed the Gen. Courtney Hodges Boulevard corridor from the downtown district.

The council acted on a recommendation from the city’s Planning Commission. Businesses along the boulevard don’t fit well with regulations meant to preserve the historic nature of downtown, according to Council member Randall Walker.

The move was opposed by the Main Street Advisory Board and Perry Downtown Development Authority, which stated concerns about building design, façade grants and communication with local elected officials.

In other action, the council:

• denied a request from Ibalz Marketing to waive a $200 fee tied to a certificate of appropriateness for a sign for J Brannen Automotive on Courtney Hodges Boulevard;

• approved a utilities extension policy regarding payments made during a 12-month period;

• approved dates for public hearings regarding the budget planning process for Fiscal Year 2017: May 9, May 16, May 23 and if needed, May 31. The budget first reading is set for June 7, with the vote to approve June 21. The public hearings will start at 5 p.m.;

• approved $20,000 for landscaping work on Courtney Hodges Boulevard to be done by Carter Sloope;

• approved an ordinance amending the Perry Land Development Ordinance to remove a duplication;

• amended a city code to eliminate a $45 fee charged to non-businesses for a sign on banners;

• approved Mayor James Faircloth as a voting delegate for the Georgia Municipal Association’s annual membership business meeting June 26; and

• approved a request from the Downtown Merchants Association to close Jernigan Street from Main Street to Carroll Street and Carroll Street from the 700 block to the 900 block from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 3 for the Fourth Annual Wine Tasting event.

Faircloth was absent to attend the funeral of his sister, and City Manager Lee Gilmour had a previous commitment that prevented him from attending the meeting.

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