Controversial topic brings crowd to council meeting

The mayor, city attorney and council members shown at Tuesday's Chenoa City Council meeting.

Up to six people will be allowed in a sober men’s house at Chenoa following a vote from the City Council this week.

“They could have gone in there with four people and not even have had to ask for a variance,” Chenoa Mayor David Shane told Route 24 Radio Wednesday morning.

Conditions the council listed include the completion of a fire inspection and knowing where the people are coming from.

“We don’t want something coming into our community and then have something like a fire happen,” adds Shane.

Many local residents have concerns with oversight of the men living there.

This all came up over a month ago and has been covered at different zoning meetings and council meetings prior to Tuesday’s gathering at City Hall.

The property is zoned R-2.

“We are trying to make some conditions so we have a little more control,” said Shane.

Several Chenoa citizens presented their thoughts, concerns and questions surrounding the issue on Tuesday. City Attorney Steve Mann outlined strategies to engage successful conversation, feedback and thoughts about zoning. Counsel for the applicant outlined Fair Housing Act information from both the professional and personal side.

Mayor Shane called for a recess for the council to enter executive session before re-adjourning.

In other business, the group voted to add a special use category in an ag zoned district. It is only for storage, maintenance and sales and does not allow living in recreational vehicles. The property owners in the district will have to file a special use application and go through zoning and the council to get approved or denied.

A mural design for 133 S. Veto Street was reviewed and business information requested from the property owners so the application approval was tabled.

Council members reviewed an application for Jolly Holdings LLC for updates on OB’s property on Cemetery Avenue and the liquor license for SuperChenoa was tabled as the LLC was reportedly not in good standing with the state.

Concrete barriers around a property currently being stored on Veto Street uptown will not be removed after a request from the Chenoa Centralized Team. Alternatives were discussed to update the area to make it more appealing to visiting tourists for the Route 66 Centennial.