By Laurel Callaway
Opelika Observer
National Village neighborhood will continue its expansion thanks to the commission’s two plat approvals for new residential phases at Tuesday’s meeting.
Preliminary plat approval was granted for 38 lots to be located on National Village Loop, while final plat approval was given for 32 lots on Double Eagle Lane.
During the work session on July 15, safety concerns were raised over the width of the streets in the neighborhood, specifically the ability of the fire department to access the area. Max Vaughan of Goodwyn, Mills, and Cawood addressed this concern at Tuesday’s meeting.
“We have adjusted the width of the road to 20 feet for access to be maintained by the fire department,” Vaughan stated.
When some members continued to question the width of the streets, Chairman Keith Pridgen reminded the committee that they had allowed the Retirement Systems of Alabama to do a different type of neighborhood plan in Grand National because it was unlike anything else in Opelika.
Pridgen also stated, “The issue of the narrower streets is not when the facility is finished but while construction is in progress.”
Planning Director Jerry Kelley reminded the department heads, Vaughan and Ab Conner of Conner Brothers Construction that final plat approval would not be signed off on until the warranty bond is acquired.
The commission also approved the conditional use of property located in the Pepperell Corners shopping center for the development of a Bojangles restaurant.
The original building proposal by the fast food corporation was comprised of only 30 percent natural material; however the city requires a minimum of 50 percent natural materials to be used. Anthony Slaughter, a representative of the Bojangles Corporation, submitted a new building design which met the requirement.
The commission also:
-approved preliminary and final plats from subdivisions on two lots on Highway 280 East; 2 lots on Lee Road 151; two lots on Waverly Parkway; and two lots on Lee Road 262.
-approved final plats from subdivisions on three lots on Industrial Development Boulevard
-approved conditional use an addition to Sun Self Storage facility on Frederick Road
-approved amendment of the minimum lot width requirements on the Gateway Corridor from 100 feet to 150 feet.
