The Alexandria City Council approved appointments to its planning and zoning commission, board of adjustments, parks and recreation board and code enforcement board at its meeting Thursday.
Alexandria mayor Andy Schabell said some applicants stemmed from the 10 applicants for the past city council appointment. The mayor and council encouraged members who applied for council and did not get appointed to apply to other open board positions.
“We encourage folks if you don’t want to run for city council, there are almost always openings on our boards and commissions,” Alexandria City Council Member Stacey Graus said. “We’re very happy that those people on the boards and commissions tonight stepped up and said, ‘I want to get involved.’”
The mayor made the appointments, which were then approved by the council.
“I always say, I appreciate you all volunteering for this taking the time out,” Schabell said. “People like you are what makes Alexandria great. Thank you very much for your dedication and your time in doing this.”
Planning and zoning
The council appointed Michael McGrath to planning and zoning.
According to the city, the planning commission aims to regulate planning, zoning and other development-related issues. The duties of the Alexandria Planning Commission involve formulating and administering the city’s comprehensive plan, subdivision regulations and zoning ordinance. In addition, the commission reviews development proposals, zone change requests, and subdivision plats.
Planning and zoning members serve four-year terms.
Board of adjustments
The council appointed Dirk Glahn to the board of adjustments.
The purpose of the board of adjustments, according to the city, is to authorize variances from the terms of an ordinance that will not adversely affect the public health, safety or welfare, will not alter the character of the general vicinity, nor cause a hazard or nuisance to the public.
Some duties include granting conditional use permits as specified in the zoning ordinance and deciding upon applications to convert or change an existing non-conforming use to another non-conforming use.
Board of Adjustment members serve four-year terms.
Park and recreation
The council appointed Laura Fincher to park and recreation.
Fincher said she moved to the city last July and could bring some ideas she has from other places she has lived, like Lexington and Frankfort.
“We have two small children, so we’ve already been enjoying the community parks in the area,” Fincher said. “Hopefully, I can bring in some ideas of other parks and rec systems because we have been park users at all places, so I’m excited to get to know some of you and more community members.”
The park and recreation board meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are held in the council chambers during January, February, March, April, May, October, November, and December. The June, July, August, and September meetings are held at the Alexandria Community Park at 3965 Alexandria Drive.
Code enforcement
The council appointed Danielle Hyman as an alternate member of the code enforcement board.
The code enforcement board meets on the second Thursday of a specified month.
