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Century Council Denies Zoning Change To Allow ‘Junkyard’ To Operate
July 6, 2010
A Century Front Street property will not be rezoned from residential to commercial so what a town consultant says is “junkyard” can operate.
The council voted 4-1 Monday night to deny the rezoning request by George William Philyaw on a recommendation from the town’s land use consultant, Debbie Nickles. Nickles said Century’s future land use plans and ordinances do not allow for “spot zoning” a single piece of property unless it is for the overall public good.
Council President Ann Brooks said that the town’s attorney advised against approving the spot rezoning request because it would likely be overturned in court.
“If we change it, we are certain to get a lawsuit,” Mayor Freddie McCall told the council prior to the 4-1 vote. Council member Henry Hawkins voted against the motion to deny the request.
A week ago, the council held a public workshop as they work to decide if Philyaw was operating a junkyard on his residential property and if what he claims to do for a living was or was not a business.
Philyaw has been cited by Escambia County Code Enforcement for his property at 120 Front Street because it is zoned residential which does not allow his type of business to operate. He has told the town council that he simply collects metal for recycling until he has a “load” and then it is sold. Nickles maintained that the property was a junkyard under the town’s ordinances.
“This is not a home occupation,” Nickles said at public hearing on June 28. “Based on my site visit, I consider this a junkyard…junkyards refer to storage of materials.”
Numerous residents spoke against the rezoning at that public hearing, and the council was presented a petition with signatures from about three dozen residents in opposition.
According to town records, Philyaw applied for a business license to operate about three years ago, but the application was denied because the property was zoned residential.
Philyaw was required to deposit $600 with the town for his rezoning request. With the denial, he will forfeit the actual costs incurred by the town.
Pictured top: The street view of the property at 120 Front Street, Century as seen June 28. NorthEscambaia.com file photo, click the enlarge.
Comments
11 Responses to “Century Council Denies Zoning Change To Allow ‘Junkyard’ To Operate”
Maybe if the owner would clean up this property, and store his “collections” in a more presentable way, the citizens of Century wouldn’t be so embarrassed and this wouldn’t be such an issue. Is he not willing?
Hawkins voting against common sense again! When will you people wise up and VOTE HIM OUT !!!!!
Will this man be able to move this some where else ? I would hate to see this in my neighborhood, The one good thing is that he was trying to make money. Not like many people living off my tax dollars that I have worked to pay in.
I just don’t think Mr. Hawkins is going along with the council on anything that will benefit the town. I just can’t figure him out. I am just a resident, but I want a clean town, a place that is good to raise a family, with jobs and businesses, a place that we can be proud to say hey that’s my town. I hate to admit it, but when I am in Pensacola and someone ask where you from I just quietly mumble Century and hope no one else hears me. I feel sad that I feel this way.We have strayed a longs ways from the neat little quiet town I grew up in.
You have to be joking right? All the neighbors should just sue , better yet. Maybe they should dump trash in hawkins yard
What in the world is Hawkins doing? He is known for making some of the most dumbest decisions. Why does he keep getting voted in? All of his votes seem to be in the interest of the few and NOT THE TOWN as a whole. He is always in the news voting against what’s best for the town! When is he up for re-election? The town needs to make sure they go to the polls to get rid of someone that is always so negative towards what the town needs.
I say vote Hawkins OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Has Mr Hawkins voted for anything. Unless it is for one person he doesn’t. He needs to remember he is to take care of century as a whole. He was elected to handle city business. Not citizens personal business.Look at the whole picture Mr Hawkins. He also voted not to spend 600. for the secure of a million dollar grant. He would have let the town down. Please think before you vote this year.
Thanks Century Council! I think this was the best decision for the town.
Now make them clean it up. There has been other citizens that have paid fines because they were in violation of the Code Enforcement, are because it cost them money to have it clean up. Please clean this place up. You need to abide by the Law to.
Way to go council!!! I think you made the right decision on this one.There were several other ways this man could have continued what he was doing without drawing attenetion to himself and his property.