BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER
HLESTER@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
AUBURN —
A citizen approached the Auburn City Council Tuesday night with a request — reduce the number of billboards.
“As many of you may or may not know, more billboards have been constructed along North Donahue,” said Robert Grantham, HOA Committee board member for Camden Ridge. “This construction in that area has drawn a lot of attention, not just in Ward 3, but throughout our city. A petition that I created, signed and have supported has been seen more than 11,000 times; it’s been shared over 338 times and just a few minutes ago, it’s been [signed more than] 907, locally and getting more support daily.
“This petition is concentrated not on just one section or area of Auburn, [nor] is it concentrated on one individual group, it’s more focused city-wide because there’s a concern that all these billboards and whatnot are going to be taking over our city.
“I’m here this evening to ask this council to support annexation of Lee County islands by working with the Lee County Commission to have them review their building codes and ensure when a land owner seeks annexation, they annex 100% of the property to eliminate county islands like the ones we’ve seen on North Donahue.”
Ward 3 Council Member Beth Witten thanked Grantham for the effort he’s put into this.
“I do know that we have two members of the Lee County Commission and their engineer in the audience tonight because they’re also equally interested and we’re continuing to have further conversations, which I know you’ll be a part of” she said. “I just want to say thank you for your efforts and we’re still working through to find solutions.”
OTHER BUSINESS:
– The council announced two board vacancies on the Auburn Downtown Redevelopment Authority board.
– The council announced one vacancy on the Indian Pines Recreation Authority board.
– The council approved a restaurant retail liquor ABC license for Amsterdam Cafe doing business as Amsterdam Cafe Moores Mill at 2301 Ogletree Village Lane, Suite 107.
– The council approved a restaurant retail liquor ABC license for Amsterdam Cafe doing business as Amsterdam Cafe Northside at 1850 Shug Jordan Parkway, Suite 100.
– The council approved a restaurant retail liquor ABC license for Jack Brown’s Auburn LLC doing business as Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint at 160 N. College St.
– The council approved a retail table wine ABC license for One Bike LLC doing business as One Bike Coffee at 1100 S. College St., Unit 106.
– The council gave a commendation to the Auburn High School girls tennis team for winning the 2023 AHSAA State Championship.
– The council approved a concurrence with the Industrial Development Board for Donghee Alabama LLC at 2351 Riley St. in the Auburn Technology Park West.
– The council approved the Tiger Transit signage agreement with Auburn University.
– The council approved a contract with Azteca Systems Inc. for the Cityworks software enterprise license agreement renewal for over $129,300.
– The council approved a contract with Image Trend Inc. for the purchase of a “Rescue SaaS” software module for the fire department for over $9,600.
– The council approved a contract with Matthew and Jody’s Tree Service for the removal and pruning of trees on the right of way and removal of 11 trees at Dinius Park for $18,000.
– The council accepted a public sewer easement for Donghee America Inc. for property at 2550 Innovation Drive.
– The council accepted a public greenway easement and a public drainage and utility easement for McWhorter Properties – Society Hill Estates LLC for property on Society Hill Road, south of Moores Mill Road.
– The council accepted a public sanitary sewer, drainage and utility easement for TPG Homes for property located at Wire Road and Cox Road.
– The council approved an appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission.
– The council approved a tax abatement for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company United Inc. at 511 W. Veterans Blvd.
– The council approved a tax abatement for Donghee Alabama LLC at 2550 Innovation Drive in the Auburn Technology Park West.
– The council approved a contract with Business Interiors Inc. to purchase furniture for the new Environmental Services and Public Works Complex for over $325,300.
– The council approved a contract with Structural Restoration Solutions Inc. doing business as Everclear Enterprises Inc. for the Gay Street parking deck maintenance and repair project for over $394,900.