Allowing metal buildings in residential neighborhoods was again a hot topic at the Taylorville city council meeting Tuesday night. The board took two different votes on the matter, with the final vote ultimately failing and sending the ordinance back to committee.

The ordinance currently says all buildings built on residential property must match the existing structure of the home. With the first vote, the council was split 4-4 on allowing the city’s board of appeals to make a determination on if a homeowner can be allowed to build a metal structure such as a carport on their property. Mayor Bruce Barry broke the tie by voting yes, and he says he will likely always vote with his board of appeals when they make a unanimous recommendation.

When a change needed to be made to the ordinance, it then failed to pass 5-3 on the second go around. Barry says he doesn’t want metal buildings like carports all over the place, but he also believes the board of appeals should have the leeway to make the decision on a case-by-case basis.

The city is also exploring the possibility of refinancing to a rate reduced loan for the new water treatment plant, which could free up hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for Taylorville. The next city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 5 at 7 p.m. at the Taylorville Municipal Building.