City councils
A FRINGE show that threatened to defy the smoking ban at this year's Edinburgh Festival has been officially warned off. Producers of Bill Hicks: Slight Return, about the famous comedian and heavy smoker who died of cancer, promised to bring back their show "in defiance of the
City councils
A split Claremont planning board voted 4-3 not to recommend a proposed zoning change that would cluster housing developments in the city to preserve the surrounding natural land. The ordinance, aimed at curbing residential sprawl, has been opposed by some board members and concerned developers and homeowners. "This is
City councils
A local developer, Elvin Sapp, has secured approval for a new subdivision in northwest Columbia, despite previous concerns about flooding on the proposed street. The 228-lot Bellwood subdivision will be built on 115 acres and feature two entrances, one on West Broadway and one on Strawn Road. The development was
City councils
A developer, North Bay Associates, has withdrawn a revised plan to build seven town houses in favor of the original plan approved last year by the Tampa City Council. Despite this, some residents in the South Seminole Heights area remain opposed to the project, citing concerns about the area'
City councils
The proposed $30 million Presidio Terrace condominium project has been met with opposition from surrounding landowners, who claim the seven-story development is "too damn tall" and out of character for the adjacent historic area. Critics argue that the project will alter the neighborhood's charm and raise
City councils
The City Council in Greensboro has approved a 2006-07 budget that includes a significant increase in property taxes. The new budget, which was passed on Tuesday, raises the property-tax rate by 5.5 cents. For a homeowner with a $150,000 property, this means an additional $82 in taxes. The
City councils
The Roanoke City Council adopted a budget for the 2006-2007 fiscal year that includes a two-cent reduction in the city's real estate tax rate, from $1.21 per $100 of assessed value to $1.19. However, this reduction still leaves the city's tax rate 8 cents
City councils
The Cheyenne City Council has approved a smoking ban for all public places within the city limits, set to take effect on August 15, unless a referendum is successful. The ban forbids smoking in nearly all public places, including private clubs and bars. Residents have 10 days after the law
City councils
A group of concerned citizens in Victoria, Texas, has organized a protest to take place on June 20, in front of the City Council Chamber, to express their dissatisfaction with the smoking ban that is set to take effect on Friday. The protesters feel that the city council did not
City councils
Coventry's Ricoh Arena is set to open a casino within the next 10 months, but the local authority's attempts to secure a super-casino license were blocked. The new casino will be about half the size of the originally planned £95 million super-casino, which would have covered
City councils
City council leader Ken Taylor has vowed to appeal the decision excluding Coventry from the shortlist of cities vying to become the UK's first regional casino. The Casino Advisory Panel yesterday announced the eight areas now in the running, including the Millennium Dome and Wembley Stadium in London,
City councils
A comprehensive smoking ban will take effect in Champaign, Illinois, on August 1, despite concerns from local bar owners that it will negatively impact their businesses. The city council voted 5-4 in favor of the ban, which includes public places such as restaurants and bars. Outdoor patio areas of bars
