The first reading of an ordinance re-zoning property located on West Walnut at West 5th Street was the only item on the agenda for Washington’s City Council meeting Monday night. Florencio Becerra is requesting property he owns on the 500 block of West Walnut have the zoning changed from residential to commercial. Becerra wants to demolish a house and expand the El Muñeco Resaurante into that area and then move the La Esquina Store into the current restaurant building. The current store building would then become a warehouse. The Council will consider the change at its next meeting.
During the public comment portion of the Council meeting, Bill Joyce asked if the Council would consider allowing golf carts to be used on city streets. Mayor Wellman told Joyce that state law gives cities the power to pass an ordinance allowing golf carts on city streets. Wellman said an ordinance had been placed before the Council several years ago, but no action was taken. Wellman appointed Councilman Mike Singleton to chair a committee to investigate the pros and cons of a golf cart ordinance. Singleton said it would take some time to prepare an ordinance. Singleton also said that unless an ordinance is passed by the Council, the use of golf carts on city streets is illegal.