Westover’s annexation of West Ridge to move forward

WESTOVER — An agreement that annexes part of West Ridge into Westover will move forward after the city’s council voted 4-0 in favor of the proposal at its Tuesday meeting.
The adopted resolution orders Mayor Dave Johnson to place the proposed agreement on the city council’s agenda to start the public debate. Johnson said the proposal will be available in full at the March 4 meeting.
Ryan Lynch, one of West Ridge’s developers, spoke to council members before they went into executive session. After that session, which lasted about 30 minutes, they voted on the resolution.
“We’re excited to hopefully reach a milestone in our discussions with Westover,” Lynch said. “West Ridge is moving forward at a very quick pace.”
The first retail shops around exit 153 on Interstate 79 will open in spring 2020, and more businesses will open throughout the year, Lynch said. He said he was excited to work with Westover and expressed his confidence the relationship will be mutually beneficial, a sentiment echoed by Johnson.
“I appreciate you guys wanting to come into the city,” Councilman Steve Andryzcik said. “I do.”
Councilmembers Ralph Mullins, Janice Goodwin and Al Yocum were absent and did not vote on the proposal.
Several ordinances establishing two new types of zoning were passed on first reading in preparation for the annexation. Tim Stranko, city attorney, said the city did the same thing when the Gateway opened.
Jason Stinespring, Westover’s building inspector, said he believes 300 Dunkard Ave. is in compliance with the city’s ordinances. He was asked by Councilwoman Edie Viola at a previous meeting to monitor the property.
A photo submitted by Viola at the Jan. 22 meeting shows a pile of random items partially covered by a blue tarp.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Viola said she believes the house, owned by Goodwin, is still not in compliance. She said this has been going on for three years and asked Stinespring to take care of it.
“It’s right on the main road and it looks terrible,” she said. “This has been going on for too long.”
Councilman Leonard Smith said he’s also received calls about the property.
Goodwin has not commented on the property at previous meetings when it’s been brought up.
Johnson told The Dominion Post he would personally look into if the property was in compliance.