Attorney’s opinion to be sought for legal question

An opponent to the proposed Chestnut Street home development questions whether Walhalla Planning Commission violated city law when it recommended a zoning change to allow the project. Henry Brown voiced his complaint during the public comment session of last night’s meeting of Walhalla City Council committees. Brown gave copies of what he says is city law that he does not believe was followed as the developer applied for the zoning change. Councilman Tjay Bagwell, an attorney by profession, said he’s reluctant to comment on the specifics of Brown’s complaint until City Administrator Julian Stoudemire conducts a review of the process that culminated with a September 19 vote by the planning commission to recommend the zoning change from R-15 to general residential. Mayor Danny Edwards says the planning commission’s recommendation is subject to two votes by the city council that will be preceded by a second public hearing on what Season’s Builders hopes to do on Tyre B. Mauldin Street, between the blocks of S. Poplar and Chestnut streets.