The View 38002 January 2015 | Page 5

38002.com theview theview January 2015 Page 5 ARLINGTON NEWS December Mayor and Board of Aldermen Meeting amend the current budget. reported that crime was down (19 incidents) and one patrol car is in Arlington at all times. Sam T. Wilson Public Library's new librarian will start on December 8th (see related article, page 4). The library has also been awarded a $15,000 technology grant for new computers. A contract for Arlington Community Schools to lease 350 new apple laptops for teachers was approved. Also approved was a $122,000 baseball fieldhouse at Arlington High School, funded with $60,000 from baseball boosters and $62,000 from county Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) funds. Angela Reeder was appointed to fill remainder of Steve McCarver's term on Planning Commission. Reeder previously served on Loosahatchie Greenway Steering Committee. Appointment to Finance Committee was not made. Wastewater treatment operator Andy Weihl received a state Award of Excellence in Waste Water Management. After concerns about making an amendment to current budget were raised, alderman Jeff McKee withdrew his motion to spend $18,000 planting trees in Milton Wilson medians between White Oak Subdivision and Chester St. Instead McKee made a request to add to next year's budget, not Much of the December 15 Planning Commission meeting focused on a future development south of Milton Wilson and east of Airlie Road, including the consideration of an amendment to the Airline Road Planned Development located on the south side of Milton Wilson Blvd., east of Airline Rd. Amendment consisted of an extraction of property from the original plan that would then be presented as “Arlington Commons” Planned Development. Public hearing was opened to at least four citizens of surrounding area speaking, two of which clearly expressed opposition to the plan. Motion to approve the extraction carried. The final item of the night was a request for the approval of a general development plan for “Arlington Commons" Planned Development. This plan is desired for a 45.03 acre parcel located on the southeast quadrant for Milton Wilson Blvd/ Airline Rd. The developer presented the plan which includes small out parcel-type services and retailers, multi-tenant building within green areas, and a small pond. The planned development was described as a 60 million dollar project that is anticipated to bring approximately $1 million dollars in yearly tax revenues to the town. After the presentation, the December Planning Commission Meeting Shelby County Sheriff public hearing process begun with about five residents (Harrell’s Ridge, Chapel Ridge) presenting comments opposing the item. Impact on traffic, security, Police and Fire Department impact were some of the expressed concerns. The floor closed, discussion by the board commenced. After a lengthy discussion and questions to the developer, the motion carried with several amendments. Amendments included restrictions on the types of businesses the project could contain and the exclusion of businesses such as convenience stores, gas stations, funeral homes, churches or auto repair shops. Other amendments made by the board included increasing the ratio of common space from 14% to a 24% to give pedestrians more areas to use. Also requested was a four-side design plan with a mixed use of buildings as not to keep them strictly commercial or light industrial. One last request was made to consider other name option