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The LaGrange City Council denied a request for a sidewalk on Gordon Street at its Tuesday meeting. At a work session earlier in the day, residents of Gordon Street debated for and against the sidewalk proposal at length. 

The council ultimately denied the proposal after some residents explained that one homeowner who would be impacted had already begun an expensive home improvement project, including a new driveway.

In other action, the council also voted to reappoint Police Chief Lou Dekmar to the LaGrange Gas Authority and to reappoint Adam Johnson to the Tree Advisory Board. Dekmar begins another three-year term, while Johnson starts another four-year term. 

The council also voted unanimously to deny a Notice of Claim for Damages for $2,250 from Joseph Carver, a LaGrange man who believes a city-owned vehicle struck and damaged his mailbox. A letter sent by Carver’s lawyer to Mayor Jim Thornton alleges that Carver witnessed a city truck with a yard debris collection trailer maneuvering on his street and later discovered that his mailbox had been hit and damaged. According to the letter, a LaGrange Public Works Department employee met with Carver and agreed the damage appeared to have been done by a city vehicle. The city’s insurance company denied liability or a settlement, leading Carver and his lawyer to file the claim with the council, which was rejected. The insurance company will now reexamine the incident.

The council conducted first readings, but did not vote on, the following ordinances:

-Rezoning property located at 407 North Greenwood Street to allow the establishment of a new coffee shop, Local Groundz, in a former dentist’s office

-Establishing short-term, 15-minute parking spots within the Central Business District

-Amending the alcoholic beverages ordinance to expand areas outside restaurants where alcohol can be consumed

-Restricting certain off-road vehicles from operating on public streets, sidewalks and other areas

-Annexing and rezoning property located off of Cameron Mill Road, held by Synovus Trust Company under the will of the late Fuller E. Callaway, Jr.