Resident urges council to designate vacant lot as town 'green space'

Tina Jahn, a resident who lives across Fourth Street from the vacant lot, asked the City of Seneca to formally designate the property as a community green space reserved for townspeople. She said the lot “is already used for viewing the surrounding area and already has a seasonal pond on it,” and proposed adding a walking path, donated trees and plaques or benches that residents could use as memorial markers.

Mayor Andrea Combs and City Manager Josh Walker responded with procedural notes: Walker said that under current City Code the lot would require a conditional use permit or a zoning change to host a park-like space, though he also said there is pending state legislation that “would allow for zoning changes to be made more cost-effective and less restrictive.” Combs called the idea appealing but said it is a lower priority given current projects and limited staffing; she suggested the council receive an update on the item at its January meeting.

Jahn volunteered to lead volunteer efforts when the city is ready to move forward. Councilor Bill Williams asked whether extending mowing into the lot would conflict with industrial zoning; Combs said maintaining a buffer and firebreak is appropriate. No formal action was taken; the council agreed to keep the topic on a future agenda for follow-up.