By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer
A possible theater in downtown Woodruff will have to wait as the Woodruff Planning Commission denied a request to remove a property from the city’s revitalization district, a move that was needed to accommodate the possible development.
Local business owner Ben Harrison appeared before the Commission to request that a property he owns on West Georgia Street, just west of the railroad tracks, be removed from the city’s revitalization district to accommodate a potential development deal. Harrison explained that he was working a deal with the owner of Hometown Pawn on Main Street to trade buildings. The exchange would allow the pawnshop to move west of the railroad tracks and for Harrison to develop the building on Main Street.
Harrison told commissioners he was looking into putting a theater in the building, bringing the attraction back to downtown Woodruff. He indicated that the project hinged on being able to make the trade with the pawnshop owner, who wants to add a used car lot to his pawnshop business.
Because the property Harrison owns is located in the city’s designated revitalization district, automotive businesses are not allowed. Harrison was hoping to have the property removed so that the trade could be accommodated.
Commissioners commended Harrison for his vision to bring a theater back to downtown Woodruff but were hesitant to approve the request for fear of setting a precedent of allowing properties to petition for removal from the revitalization district.
The revitalization district was established as a means to control the types of businesses that are allowed to move downtown, allowing the city to recruit businesses that are more conducive to attracting visitors to the area, such as restaurants, boutiques, and salons. It also allows the city to restrict businesses that are not as pedestrian and visitor friendly.
Harrison pointed out that his property and another that is owned by his family are the only two properties on the west side of the railroad tracks that are included in the revitalization district.
“I really think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages in this instance,” he said.
Commissioners, while supportive of Harrison’s project, were hesitant to approve the request.
“To be honest, I love your idea,” said Commission Chair Clay Varner. “I would love to see a theater come back to Woodruff, but if we create a precedent now for allowing businesses to remove themselves from the revitalization district, it’s my fear that will create a chain reaction.”
In the end, commissioners voted to deny Harrison’s request. Harrison told the commission he understood the reasoning but hoped there would be a possible solution. Commissioners discussed the potential to revisit the revitalization map to see if the current boundaries made sense for Woodruff today and into the growing future.
In other business, commissioners approved amendments to the city’s zoning ordinance that revised language to bring some items into compliance with current state law. The board also approved the new Capital Improvement Plan and Development Impact Fee structure for the city.
The Capital Improvement Plan institutes development fees on all new developments in the city. The fees will be utilized to increase city services, including police and sewer, to ensure the city is prepared to provide service for all the expected growth.
