Bryant to lease land for natural habitat in Williamsburg

Several acres of land in Williamsburg may become a protected natural habitat following the Williamsburg City Council meeting Feb. 15.

The council voted to approve Lee Bryant’s 10-year lease of several acres of property in Williamsburg near North Second Street and the corner of Short.

Bryant applied for a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of Fish and Wildlife that would allow him to turn the land into a natural habitat for deer and turkeys.

According to the discussion at the city council meeting, Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison said the largest benefits would be saving the city money and it promotes wildlife in the area.

Currently the city must pay to have the land mowed and maintained because it requires a tractor.

With the grant, Bryant, a co-owner of WD Bryant True Value Hardware in Corbin and Williamsburg, would take over maintenance of the land.

The land would not be available for hunting or public use.

In exchange for the city leasing the property, Bryant has agreed to sponsor the Turkey Trot each year the lease is in effect and there is a Turkey Trot.

Harrison told council members that he had checked with the Division of Water and the lease was legal.

If the city needs to expand the sewer facility, they can take the land back.

The approved lease was for a ten-year term, and can be renewed for an additional 10 years.

In other business, the Williamsburg City Council unanimously approved:

• The reappointment of Alice Fae Weiland to the Williamsburg Whitley County Airport Board.
• The appointment of Betty Prewitt to the Variance Commission (Board of Adjustments).
• A proclamation declaring April 2022 as Spring Cleanup Month.
• The City of Williamsburg Financial Audit for fiscal year 2020-2021. Harrison told the council it was a very good audit.