The Town of Dover Board of Mayor and Aldermen met May 11 at City Hall. All members except Archie Story were present. First on the agenda were public comments. Robin Wallace lives on Sandy Road and she spoke about the rezoning classification of the old Riding Club property to R3 (High Density Residential). “I know on Facebook, one of our elected officials said that our school can hold approximately 500 more students. I work in the school system and our classrooms are full. You’re looking at more taxes going to hire teachers, school buses, cafeteria workers and custodians. The taxes that’s going to be generated from that, is it going to pay for all of that? I don’t know. I know you cannot answer that question. Since living on Sandy Road for 25 years, that road has to be reworked, in my opinion. I’ve almost been hit head on, I don’t know how many times, because the road’s too narrow. Who’s going to pay for that? Again, the tax dollars generated, is it going to pay for that road? The bridge that crosses the creek at Sandy Road is designed for two homes and the occasional horse show traffic. I know people won’t take big trucks across it because the bridge will not stand. Are our tax dollars going to have to pay for that bridge? Again, will the tax revenue from those apartments, will it pay for the construction of a new bridge and the upkeep?” Wallace also raised concerns over flooding.
Next, Jake Watson addressed the board, he also discussed the rezoning request. “The whole purpose of zoning is to make sure the property isn’t going to be changed and conforms to the area.” He also said he doesn’t see this benefiting Dover with an increase in jobs or an influx of money to warrant the rezoning. Furthermore he said, “Zoning’s purpose is to allow individuals that have invested in your community to live on that road and enjoy their homes, not worry about the value going down. Or will y’all allow Super Walmart to come in next?”
For the next item of business, Dover Police Officer Jody Batton gave the police report for the month of April. “We had 196 stops, 88 citations and 113 warnings. There was 19 arrests and one DUI and drug case.”…