At the last Ducktown city council meeting, April 7, Owner of Ducktown School Jason Collis had requested for the proposal of de-annexation of the school and its property to be put on the agenda.
Several months back, Collis purchased the old Ducktown School building, now named Kimsey Ridge, with the idea of putting in local businesses and residential space. Since then, the city of Ducktown has set forth a list of zoning requirements and codes to meet before Collis could pursue this plan.
“In six weeks he could be boogying along with his plans,” according to Mayor of Ducktown Doug Collins regarding Collis.
Collis, however, says that they are “making it almost impossible for me to proceed.”
When Collis was asked if the list of codes has increased over time from the starting period of the zoning, he stated, “they’ll say that nothing has changed, but the fact is that at every meeting...there’s another meeting to go to and another month.”
Collins would disagree saying, “All that we are asking for are two things and we will waive the rest of that (list of required codes).” He continued saying, “That may be going out on a limb, but all the little knit-picky stuff is not going to make or break it; it’s no big deal.”
Collis’ main issue was that he had requested the de-annexation for the building be put on the agenda for the April 7 meeting, which it was, however, the de-annexation never got voted on during the meeting. He said that he is “almost to the point of just not going to any more of their meetings,” and that they “can pursue it in court.”
Collins insisted that “He’s thinking if he gets outside the city limits that they can do what they want...but with his plans, it’s way beyond us.”
“The city has other interest at heart than the kind of growth that we need in our community,” said Collis. Continuing he stated, “the growth that they have on their mind and the growth that I have on my mind are just two different growths...the growth I’m looking for is more of a Christian growth and a family oriented growth.” He finished by stating, “If I was going to put eight breweries in, I believe the city would be right on it.”
“The city doesn’t get involved in people’s personal business,” claimed Collins.
With that being said, if the de-annexation of Ducktown School is not succesful and Collis cannot meet the expected regulations set forth by the zoning committee, he already has the building approved for his personal residence. If that is the case, Collis will “still have community events at the school.”