The crowd likely would have been much smaller if they had known that the plan to vote on an amendment to the City of Forney Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance was not going to be voted on after all. The item was pulled from the agenda because the Planning and Zoning Commission chose not to act on the issue during their last meeting. That amendment would deal with the Entertainment Overlay District, with plans to include the Mick Spellman Amphitheater into the district, which would pave the way for beer and wine sales. The alcohol sales are planned only for about four events a year in which national acts perform at the venue.
The overwhelming majority of citizens who were willing to stand up and speak during the open forum for public comments, were against the amendment. Mark Cuban from Forney went as far as telling Mayor Rozell and council members, “Listen to what the community wants or this may be your last term.” What the Mayor and council face are citizens who oppose the amendment who show up to voice their opposition in person. A large portion of Forney residents support the amendment, but do so with private calls and messages, rather than voice their opinion publicly.
The Mayor and council members thanked the concerned citizens for taking the time to come to the meeting and speak their minds, and they encouraged them to continue showing up even once the Spellman issue is decided. Mayor Rozell said that he was very disappointed in the half-truths and rumors that are floating around Forney in regards to the Spellman Amphitheater. By Texas law, he was not able to directly answer accusations and questions made by residents speaking at the council meeting. Mayor Rozell plans to speak with inForney.com in an exclusive interview to address the topic of alcohol sales at the Spellman.
It is likely that votes on the Entertainment Overlay District amendment will be taken by both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council next month. An announcement is expected soon as to the hiring of an Event Coordinator to oversee future events at the amphitheater as well as in the Forney parks.
**Additional City Council agenda items**
The City Council approved an ordinance for a conditional use permit for the Forney Montessori School that will located on the east side of FM 740 (Pinson Road) south of Ridge Crest Road.
The council approved the final plat for two lots for Kroger's. One lot will house the Kroger Marketplace and the other lot will contain a Kroger fueling station. Kroger's engineering plans are still under review and they hope to announce the groundbreaking soon. Kroger intends to be open by 2013 but the building process may take up to 12 months.
City Manager Brian Brooks reminded citizens to take precautions against the West Nile Virus and confirmed that the City of Forney is spraying for mosquitos weekly. Read here about West Nile cases in Kaufman County.
