McKenzie City Council Agrees to Resurface Eastwood Drive

McKENZIE (September 12) — The McKenzie City Council approved a bid of $77,140 to resurface Eastwood Drive in McKenzie. Eastwood Dr., which runs adjacent to Tennessee College of Applied Technology in McKenzie and connects to Hwy 79 and Hwy 423, will be resurfaced by Martin Paving Company of Medina. The only other bid submitted was by Arrow Paving in Lexington of Lexington at $80,000.

Public Works Director Johnny Mercer stated the project entails approximately 475 tons of asphalt. Once completed the street will have two inches of new asphalt. It was noted that streets are graded on a scale in need of resurfacing. While David Street was said to be one of the worst on the list in need of resurfacing Eastwood Dr. was moved to the forefront. The reason is that David Street is scheduled for pending sewer rehabilitation and possible water cuts. The estimated cost of resurfacing David Street is $250,000.

In other business, the Council approved Ordinance 570 for the Revision of the Adopted Fence Requirements. The wording states that a building permit must be obtained and states that the maximum height is 6 feet for single-family, duplexes and multifamily dwellings. Tennis courts would have a maximum height of 10 feet.

Mention was made of fencing materials as well. The ordinance states, “Fences should be made of masonry, ornamental metal, vinyl, chain link, durable wood, or some combination of the aforementioned materials. The use of wire is not permitted for fences. The finished side or outside of fences shall be positioned to face adjacent property. Privacy screening shall be required in multi-family housing areas to separate such areas from adjacent single-family or duplex properties.”

Current fencing that is considered not in compliance will be grandfathered in and not required to come up to code. If the fencing were to be removed or be seriously damaged then it would have to be replaced to meet the ordinance requirements. Repairs to a non-compliant fence are subject to the question of what degree of repair is necessary and is to be determined by the codes officer.

Under department reports, mention was made of the Sweet Tea Festival and the work of the Parks Department along with other departments to make the festival happen. Fire Chief Brian Tucker stated the Fire Department received 65 calls in August. 37 of the calls were medical-based. In the Codes report, it was noted that 27 violation notices were issued; two properties were deemed condemnable with two additional properties working on the appeals process.

McKenzie property owners should be receiving their tax notices by mail starting in October.

The next regular meeting of the McKenzie City Council is scheduled for October 10 at 6 p.m. at McKenzie City Hall.