Red Bud holds church to house standards

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ A request for an extension on a building permit raised concerns at the Red Bud City Council meeting Monday.

The First Baptist Church of Red Bud requested a two-year extension to complete their new building for occupancy. Progress is being made on the project, with most of the work being done by volunteers.

The city's zoning board recommended granting the church's request. So did Code Administrator Jeff Mueller.

However, the council agreed to extend the permit only until Nov. 26; that's the same amount of time granted on a residential permit extension to Harold Siegfried, who has previously been taken to court, according to Mayor Ken Mueller.

Some of the aldermen are afraid that Siegfried might sue if the council granted the church a longer extension, the mayor said.

The question arose as to what the city does if, as seems probable, the church isn't able to complete the project by the Nov. 26 deadline. The problem is one of classification, according to Mueller.

The city has residential and commercial zoning permits. They need another category, Mueller said. Technically, the church is neither commercial nor residential.

Mueller supported granting the two-year extension. "They are good for the community. They do good things. And they are making progress."

Mueller doesn't see a connection with the Siegfried permit. "He won't let anyone work it unless he's there, and he works 40 hours a week. He's not making any progress."

Rick Horrell, who owns a used car dealership on the west side of town complained to the council about an unpaved construction supply business across the street from his lot, resulting in dusty conditions.

Horrell said he cannot keep his cars clean and has to keep the windows closed. He asked about an ordinance requiring asphalt or some kind of paving.

The city doesn't have such an ordinance, Mueller said. An effort to pass one failed a few years back.