Although the Planning and Zoning Board turned down a request to rezone 1326 West Avenue from single family to light commercial, the Sulphur Springs City Council approved the first reading of the rezoning ordinance that will allow the change during their July meeting Tuesday night. The approval came after a 25 minute discussion. The council also approved a resolution directing publication of a notice of intention to issue combination tax and surplus revenue certificates of obligation.
Local Attorney Greg Price addressed the council regarding the rezoning of the West Avenue property. He plans to build a landscaped parking lot at the location behind his current offices. Price pointed out that a large number of the West Avenue properties were rental properties and the value of the location for a home had been greatly diminished. He stated that most of the property owners were simply waiting for the street, located one block off Broadway to be zoned commercial so the land would increase in value. Price also said that no major improvements had been made or new home built along the street in over 30 years.
Tim Kelty, local realtor, pointed out that lots across Joyce Lane from the property were zoned commercial.
Judy Brown, owner of the property said that she had been trying to sell the property for the last two years. She said the houses around are rentals and the area is unsightly due to commercial properties behind the property and renters along the street not staying any length of time.
In other action, the council approved the purchase of two trucks from Bryan Toliver Ford, who could deliver the trucks in five days, and appointed Carol Gee to the library board.
Kelty, returned to the lectern during public forum to address the council regarding notices received by property owners along Holiday Drive. The notices from the city required property owners to mow and remove limbs from the ditches along Holiday. Kelty stated that the city had maintained the area until two years ago and he was not clear on why that had changed. He stated that when built, Holiday Drive and the ditches along the drive were built to conduct water from Interstate 30 to county creeks. 
