City commission approves ULDC amendment and makes Juneteenth a city holiday

June 28, 2021–8:46 p.m.

STAFF REPORTS

The Rome City Commission has approved an omnibus amendment to the Unified Land Development Code to eliminate red tape and other obstacles to growth and development.

Part of the amendment eliminates the minimum lot size column for nonindustrial districts.

Local developer Walt Busby spoke in favor, saying it would help with Rome’s housing shortage.

“In the South Rome Community we currently have a number of lots that are 50-feet or under,” he said.  “Right now, it I go try to get a building permit for one of those, I can’t because it doesn’t have a 60-foot road frontage or beat the minimum lot size.  So, I’d be forced to buy two lots and combine them, which is just counterproductive.  It costs more money, which is passed on to the consumer.  It’s just a waste of property.”

The omnibus amendment also clears up language regarding residential accessory buildings, guest houses, accessory dwelling units, residential clusters, and townhouse subdivisions.

In other action Monday night, the city commission voted to make Juneteenth an official city holiday.

The first observance will be on June 20, 2022.

Going forward it will be on June 19.

Juneteenth, which has also been designated a national holiday, commemorates the emancipation of the last slaves in Texas on June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

 

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