GCC says 'no' to law office expansion

GAINESVILLE - The way Gainesville City Council members voted on a rezoning request Tuesday morning is rare.

Mayor Pro Tem Bob Hamrick said he got a lot of phone calls from homeowners after he voted for attorney Mike Weaver's law office expansion at Mountain View Drive and Thompson Bridge Road two weeks ago on first reading.

This time he voted no,saying "I just felt that it was more fitting to reduce the size and would have less impact."

Hamrick's motion to reduce Weaver's building size from 68 hundred five thousand square feet died from a lack of second. Weaver's request was denied 3-2. Two weeks ago council approved it 3-2.

Gainesville Mayor Mark Musselwhite proposed inviting Thompson Bridge Road property holders to a hearing on exactly how they would like to see their Gateway Corridor developed.

The Mayor said he thought they wanted a residential office approach but they rejected attorney Weaver's proposal for a law office.

"I would suggest we get a meeting set up here very soon with them to see just what they want to see," Mussselwhite said.

REPAIR JOB APPROVED

City Manager Brian Shuler says he expects no delay in replacing a damaged storm drainpipe at the intersection of West Ridge Road and Queen City Parkway.

Last week Acting Public Works Director Adrian Niles told City Council a 160-foot stretch of drainpipe is collapsing near the intersection and Council officially approved the project Tuesday.

"We would make arrangements to get this contractor on board quick because what we're trying to avoid any further damage in that area," Shuler said.

Shuler added the $120,000 repair should not tie up traffic as badly as past projects in the area.