Planning & Zoning will consider zoning request on land near historic homes
Residents are asking city to change meeting time because of parade conflict

A planning and zoning commission meeting at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, will coincide with the annual Rusk Christmas parade and lighting ceremony in downtown Rusk.

Persons living on Copeland and Fifth streets are in an uproar over a request scheduled to be discussed at the meeting.

Their homes are located in an area advertised by the chamber of commerce as a historical district of Rusk. Located across the street from the property to be considered are two old homes with historical markers. The Footbridge Park, which also has a marker, is in the area.

Isaac M. and Norma Daniel have requested a zone change from residential one family to B-2 commercial zoning, on 2.12 acres they own at 808 East Copeland in the J Hundley Survey, abstract 341, Block 1115, Tract 45. This property is on the back side of a lot they own bordering U.S. Highway 69 and housing the old Ike's Feed Mill. The feed mill is zoned commercial.

"This property is not commercial. It is in an area of nice old homes that provide an attraction to our city," said Lisa Lukenbach.

"I talked with Mr. (James) Holcomb, who said they tried to do this one time before. Half of the property is zoned commercial and half residential. Our street is a historical district and we don't want this to change," Ms. Lukenbach said.

Chris Holcomb, whose home is two houses from the proposed property, said, "This will certainly lower our property values. We have heard that they plan to put in a used car lot. If this is so, it will attract stray cats and rats will breed there."

City Manager Mike Murray said, "The city has been approached and asked for the zone change. We are following the correct procedure."

Homeowners said they don't know if Mr. Daniel is planning to put the property up for sale or what plans he has.

Mrs. Daniel said the property was originally zoned business and then was rezoned several years ago. The front portion continues to be zoned commercial, she said.

"The city needs more industry and we would think it would welcome a business that would bring in more tax dollars. The property will be fenced. We are just property owners trying to keep business in Rusk," she said.

"We know that this property should not be rezoned. A lot of people cherish this area of town. And, we want to protect our property," Mrs. Holcomb said.

Homeowners are trying to get the city to postpone the Dec. 4 planning and zoning meeting because of the parade. Mrs. Holcomb said she has a float entered in the parade for her business and will have to be at the parade.

The planning and zoning commission's recommendations will be considered at the 5 p.m. Dec. 13 city council meeting.