Madden appointed East Hope mayor

EAST HOPE - Calling former Mayor Bud Moon, who recently passed away, a very good friend and one of the finest men he'd ever met, Paul Madden was named to take his place last week.

Madden, then resigned as East Hope fire chief and announced that assistant chief Robert Moore would succeed him.

“Robert has been a hard-working assistant chief and you'll love him as chief,” said Madden, who served on the council until his appointment as mayor.

Jason Cordero will be promoted to assistant chief and Madden will stay on the voluntary fire department as a captain.

In regular business, council held a public hearing regarding a variance request. Planning and Zoning Administrator Bryan Quayle outlined the remodeling project at 716 Lakeview. Krister Allen, the resident's representative provided authorities with blueprints and photos.

The remodel includes an additional garage and refocusing the front entrance to the home. It also includes landscaping. The variance would allow the structure to infringe on the 25-foot setback required in the city's ordinance.

Resident Marsha Gilbert asked council for clarification on whether the property line had been surveyed, if there were plans to widen the road, and if the decision could set future precedents. She also commented on how narrow the street became this winter because of the snow berms.

Council member Trecy Carpenter quoted from state law which states that variances may be given if there is undue hardship.

“Hardship due to the topography of the lot, not something that was man-made,” Carpenter said. Her biggest concern is whether it is a necessity or a want.

“Cities wrestle with this all the time,” Quayle said. “We have had previous discussions questioning whether twenty-five foot setbacks are necessary for the whole community.”

He said that variances are tools used in the past.

“I have a hard time saying this is an undue hardship.” Council member Jerry Clemons said. “Undue hardship needs to be redefined or we need to address setbacks.”

The council agreed and the variance was denied. Madden said that he would schedule a review of the setback rules.

At last month's council meeting, authorities were read letters from two property owners requesting annexation into the city. Quayle said that he can't proceed with the feasibility study without other information.

One hurdle is that there is a property between the properties requesting annexation and the end of the current city limits.

Clemons said that he didn't think the city should fund Quayle's time, so it was agreed that a letter will be sent to the property owners asking if they would be willing to pay for the study knowing that there was a chance it would not pass the city council.

The public is invited to attend a workshop to set water rates on April 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. The regular council meeting will follow at 6:30 p.m.