Council approves Fair Street Conservation District

GAINESVILLE - Gainesville City Council Tuesday night approved the rezoning of 129 land parcels on 28 acres to create the Fair Street Neighborhood Conservation District, with one exception.

Attorney Steve Gilliam argued his client, landowner Sandra Campbell, could not use her Summit Street property if the zoning changed to Neighborhood Conservation.
Neighborhood property owners, who approved the district by 96 percent, wanted the rezoning to prevent commercial encroachment.
Mayor Myrtle Figueras, who owns property in the district, recused herself from the vote, but called the approval a victory for the neighborhood.

FRANCES MEADOWS FITNESS

Private fitness center owners lined up with the Gainesville/Hall YMCA in objecting to the city's plans to install a fitness center at the Frances Meadows Center, replacing largely unused community center space.
YMCA board member Frank Simpson said Council approval put the city in competition with the YMCA and private business.

City Councilman Danny Dunagan made the motion for approval for the revision and extra million dollar funding for the city fitness center, saying it would not be large enough to compete with private centers.

Mayor Figueras opposed the revision, saying it took away from the Center's original purpose as a community center.

Council also approved revised fees at Frances Meadows Center after getting assurance they were compatible with area recreation facilities.