DeDomenico-Payne named to fill Mayor Cockrell’s council seat pending Nov. Special Election, other appointed vacancies also filled

Melissa DeDomenico-Payne

The agenda summary and draft motion of the matter noted that: “The term of office of the person so appointed will begin immediately upon qualification and will expire upon the qualification of the successful candidate elected during a special election to be held on November 7, 2023.”

Other appointments announced at Monday’s meeting as part of “New Business Items” included:

• Michael S. Williams to the Planning Commission;
• Lewis Moten to the Board of Zoning Appeals, where he will replace Michael Williams;
• And Gary Gillispie, Ellen Aders, and Charles Gornowich to the Local Board of Building Code Appeals.

It was noted that filling the new Board of Building Code Appeals is a step toward realizing enforcement of the long-floundering Derelict Building Code council has been trying to implement for several years.

In regular meeting business council unanimously upheld the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) denial of the SEESUU LLC application for partial demolition of the Old Murphy Theater building at 131 East Main Street, and by a split 3-2 vote, Rogers and Rappaport dissenting, authorized the appointment of “viewers” to inspect the alley vacation area requested by members of former Mayor Chris Holloway’s family to allow their private use of the localized access way between 12th and 13th Streets off of Virginia Avenue. Five speakers, either residents whose home properties abut the alley or members of the Church of the Brethren, which also abuts the alley, all urged denial of the request so as not to limit their use of and rear access to their properties. More on those actions in coming Royal Examiner stories.