Red Bank has repealed the design review ordinance that has been in place for several years and replaced it with a new, less restrictive one. The ordinance was originally implemented in order to raise the quality and upgrade the exterior appearance of buildings in the commercial districts. Included in those design standards are building materials that are allowed to be used for siding, walls and fencing, requirements for landscaping and parking lots and building ADA compliant sidewalks, among other things.
The city had no choice but to enforce the conditions specified in the design review ordinance, however, the commissioners realized that compliance with some requirements would be restrictive for a small business locating in the city. With the passage of the new design ordinance at the Tuesday night commission meeting, there will be more leeway, said Mayor Eddie Pierce.
Requirements in the original ordinance were applied to all new construction and to renovations if the cost of the work exceeded 30 percent or more of the value of the property. The restructured ordinance continues to require all the design standards to be met for new construction, however, it would apply to renovations only when the cost of work is 60 percent or more of the property’s value.
After several weeks of discussion, the commissioners unanimously passed the new ordinance on first reading, hoping to encourage businesses to move to Red Bank.
City Manager Tim Thornbury would like residents of the city to know that it will be important for citizens of Red Bank to fill out and send in the census forms. The number of people will determine what federal funds that Hamilton County will get and that money will trickle down to the city level based on population.
A group of volunteers is hand making Valentines that will be sent to local veterans in February. Last year 1,100 were sent. This year 250 more names have been added to the list. On Saturday, volunteers will be working to help create the Valentine cards at the Red Bank Community Center, said Vice Mayor Ruth Jeno.