Council OKs rezoning

DUNKIRK — A city property has been approved for rezoning to bring in a new business.

Dunkirk City Council on Monday approved a zoning change for 326 S. Main St. to accommodate a holistic health store.

Al Curts explained to council that the property is zoned residential and a request was brought before the city’s plan commission to change it to commercial. The plan commission recommended approval of the change.

City attorney Wes Schemenaur added that the property had previously been zoned commercial.

“This really just puts it back to where it had been up to 2018,” he said of the property at the intersection of Main and Pleasant streets.

Keri Bailey, one of the owners of the building, explained to council that she’d like to open a holistic health store that would include a salt room, foot detox, reiki healing and eventually growing fresh produce and herbs.

Council members Bryan Jessup, Kevin Hamilton and Christy Curts, absent Jesse Bivens and Tom Johnson, approved the zoning change.

Mayor Jack Robbins also reported to those in attendance that he has been in contact with Center Point Energy regarding the gas line work that has been ongoing in the city. He said he expressed his feeling that clean-up work has not been sufficient. He added that recent heavy rains have created a mess in the area where jobs have been completed or are ongoing.

“They’ve tore up streets, tore up sidewalks, curbs, people’s properties,” he said. “I know it’s the middle of winter, but I think they’re not doing the clean-up they need to be doing.”

He said he was told crews will be back to clean up.

“I’m not happy with what they’re doing right now,” Robbins said. “So maybe we can get this turned around.”

In other business, council:

•Approved the following: allowing Dunkirk’s chapter of Delta Theta Tau sorority to use Dunkirk City Park for a Swayzee Tenderloins frozen breaded tenderloin pop-up sale on April 3; sponsorships of $300 for Jay County Cancer Society and $100 for the Easter egg hunt at Frank Merry Park; a payment plan for Dorothy Lewis, who had a $2,700 water bill following a leak; payment of claims totaling $323,263.99.

•Heard from Robbins that one of the tanks at Ardagh glass factory is in need of repairs. He noted that the city’s fire department will work with the factory to provide any assistance that may be needed.