Planning commission OKs amended ordinance

The Sallisaw Planning Commission has approved an amendment to the city’s Code of Ordinances concerning agricultural yard requirements and addition of special use pen requirements for swine.

The city commission recently passed an ordinance allowing students involved in FFA, 4-H or other types of organizations that show swine to keep swine within the city limits. Prior to having swine inside the city limits, however, certain requirements must be met and a special use permit obtained. The amended ordinance sets the minimum yard and pen requirements.

A decision on a preliminary plat for Sallisaw Acres, an addition to the city of Sallisaw by Cherokee Nation Housing Authority, was expected to come before the commission Tuesday. The plat was first presented to the planning commission for approval on Aug. 2, but was rejected until several concerns related to drainage, easements and other aspects were addressed. Commission approval has been on hold for four months, and the agenda item was tabled Tuesday when it was reported that there has been no progress on addressing the concerns previously cited.

When the plat is approved, it will be forwarded to the Sallisaw City Commission for final approval.

The property is located west of J.T. Stites and south of Cherokee Avenue. The intent is for construction of two- and three-unit housing.

The planning commission also tabled a public hearing regarding a request by CREOKS Behavioral Health Services to rezone property at 1108 N. Wheeler Avenue (U.S. 59) from commercial office district (C-1) to highway commercial and commercial recreation.

Questions arose Tuesday among commission members regarding security and procedures related to short-term residential care, prompting members to table action on the public hearing. The commission is expected to request Sallisaw Police Chief Terry Franklin, Sequoyah County Sheriff Larry Lane and a CREOKS representative attend the Jan. 3 meeting to address concerns.