Council rejects lake residents’ requests

JACKSONVILLE Three requests recommended by the Lake Advisory Board were denied at the Jacksonville City Council meeting on Tuesday.

Brandon and Brandy Bannister requested a variance from the council to build a retaining wall on their property. The council denied the request because it was in violation of the city lake rules and regulations.

Elridge Moak represented the Bannisters and said the proposed plan was for property improvement on privately owned land.

The motion was denied, stating any work done to the property would be at the homeowner's risk.

George Conrad were in the middle of building a 12-foot retaining wall and boat ramp, but was given a stop order by Will Cole, public works director.

The council members not only denied the request but asked Conrad to remove the work that was started.

Mo Raissi, city manager, said a committee was put together to analyze the rules and regulations of Lake Jacksonville a couple of years ago, but prevention of building of retaining walls was always in the regulations.

There was a reason that was put in place to protect the other homeowners, he said. When you change the shoreline, you're going to impact the lake. The water has to go somewhere and pushing the shoreline can cause a flood to your next door neighbor.

Raissi said lake side residents live outside the city limits but the properties are leased lots by the city. Lake residents pay an average of $30 a year on those lots, he said.

They can come ask the building officials to make sure they can a put retaining wall in, look at the property line, make sure they will not extend the property line, he said.

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Council rejects lake residents’ requests