Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Anthony Tyre and Antwan Horton had a few celebratory minutes as newly elected members of Washington City Council when they were sworn in at the beginning of Monday night’s meeting. A small amount of time was given, because as re-elected Mayor Donald Sadler said, “it’s time to get to work.” 

 Lou Hodges, William Pitt and Richard Brooks were also sworn in as re-elected members of council. Tyre was named Mayor Pro-Tem. 

 First order of business was to vote on a rezoning request that would extend the Somerset Subdivision off of North Market Street.

 The rezoning request is for 11.98 acres off of Thomas Place and Somerset Drive. The piece of land is beside Somerset on the eastern side of the subdivision. It was previously platted as part of the subdivision for residential purposes, according to an agenda packet from the City of Washington. It is adjacent to the northern side of Smallwood. 

 The property was initially zoned for Planned Unit Development, but the request was to rezone it to R6S, which provides for urban residential development in a medium density area that would have single-family homes and related recreational facilities. 

 Somerset developer, Chris Furlough, said the rezoning request was made, because “the market now is dictating larger lots.”

 The next step is for Furlough to present a proposal for the extension to the city’s planning board and receive public comments. From there, a presentation will be made before city council and include the planning board’s recommendation. City council will have final approval on Furlough’s plan to grow the Somerset subdivision.

 Tyre made a motion to approve the rezoning request and Brooks seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-1 with Brooks, Tyre and Horton voting in favor, but Pitt voting in opposition. Hodges recused herself from the vote.

 The same vote was presented before council at the Nov. 14 meeting, but a motion to approve the rezoning died, because it did not get a second.

 Outgoing members of city council, Bobby Roberson and Mike Renn shared a few comments about their time on council. 

 At Monday night’s meeting, Renn shared an apology with city residents about an “inappropriate” comment he made toward the end of the Nov. 14 meeting when he stated, “be careful what you ask for.”

Renn said he “let his frustrations get the best of him.” He thought he whispered the comment under his breath, but forgot that his microphone was still on. He added that people assumed the comment was directed to Smallwood residents; however, Renn said the assumption was untrue and “not at all” where his frustration came from.

 Renn concluded his statements by thanking City staff and those who supported him for the last three years. He also thanked city residents for their “positive feedback and constructive criticism.”

 On Tuesday morning, Roberson spoke to the Daily News. He listed two achievements he’s proud to have been part of while on council – those being, construction of a new police station and growth at the Washington-Warren Airport. 

 He hopes current council members will focus on flooding and storm-water and implement a parking plan for downtown.