Here are point-by-point notes from the first LaFayette City Council meeting of 2011, with our commentary following in italics. Notes from the February meeting will be posted on Wednesday 05/11. The May meeting will be 7:30 Monday night May 9 at City Hall on Duke St.

January Meeting: January 17, 2011 (Postponed from Jan. 10 Due to Snow)

Council revises O-1 zoning. Changes place additional restrictions on sign sizes and lighting for businesses on North Main Street between Warthen and Hendrix. O-1 also prevents burned buildings in that stretch of road from being rebuilt in modern styles, limits tree cutting, and prohibits street-side parking to preserve the “integrity of the district.” Existing businesses in the area will not be effected, only new businesses or new buildings.

Some had hoped the council would change O-1 to allow in boutique non-chain retail stores like the one Bedazzled attempted to operate. As written, that zone blocks out everything except residences, salons, doctors, lawyers, and Edward Jones Financial Advisors (so far we’re up to two of those in a three-block stretch). It would be nice to have a decent clothing store or something selling art along North Main – but knowing LaFayette we’d just end up with another row of thrift stores.

Shortly before dark yesterday evening a tornado touched down in Ringgold, doing significant damage to businesses and homes between I-75 and Ooltewah-Ringgold Rd. Currently the level of damage isn’t fully known, but preliminary reports indicate dozens of structures along GA 151, in downtown Ringgold (including two schools), and in Cherokee Valley have been damaged or destroyed by the storm or subsequent fires. News agencies have cited at least seven deaths and one source said Catoosa County requested a mobile morgue to handle mass casualties. (The request might just be precautionary, prayerfully it will go unused.)

According to an article submitted by Jackson Realty, a total of 37 homes were sold by realtors in Walker County during the month of March. Those 37 homes sold for $2,384,461, averaging $64,444 each. The median value of those homes was $52,000, meaning 18 sold below that price and 18 sold above it.

In February 36 homes were sold. The average sale price was $93,215 and the median $77,500. January figures were nearly identical, 33 homes averaging $104,063 with a median of $79,000. For all of 2010 441 Walker County homes were sold (average 36.75/month) with a median price of $81,900. (No total 2010 value was provided so the year’s average can’t be calculated.)

Putting March’s numbers into comparison with previous months, it seems we’ve hit some kind of housing price rut – the $52,000 median is only 67% of the February median and 63% of the median for last year. Until April numbers come in it won’t be clear if the situation is temporary or permanent, but a full return to 2010 prices is highly unlikely.

In recent weeks the LaFayette Underground has taken a lot of heat from locals who don’t appreciate some of the things being said on this Web site and on the LU Facebook Page. Some of the criticism is appropriate; certainly there are going to be those who disagree with the opinions and perspectives expressed here and anyone who feels that way is welcome to say so in a civil manner. One goal of the Underground is to get people talking and thinking about local issues, so if you’ve done that we’re satisfied even if you don’t agree with 100% of what’s here.

There are others, however, who don’t disagree in a civil manner. Some have resorted to attacking the Underground through Facebook complaints, closing down two profiles in a period of two weeks. Others have made violent threats against The Underground, threats to break out teeth or even murder those who dare speak their mind online. One young man has sent messages to Underground Facebook participants threatening to follow them around in his car – and now another gentleman has threatened to destroy the business of someone he suspects of being involved with the LU.

Two weeks ago Georgia population figures from the 2010 census were released. Broad numbers showing the entire state’s population were released in January, but racial breakdowns and local population figures for counties, communities, and cities weren’t available until mid-March.

State Population Changes:

These numbers show Georgia is no slouch when it comes to growth compared to neighboring states. Only North Carolina grew faster, by a tenth of a percent, and we slightly bested sunny Florida by a half percent. Georgia also lapped the southern quarter of the country in growth, 18% vs 14%, and nearly doubled the growth rate of the US, 18.3% vs 9.7%.