BY HANNAH LESTER
HLESTER@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
Following the city council’s approval at Tuesday’s night meeting, Highway 280 may soon see some new businesses.
Joseph Earnest requested Conditional use approval from the council for a variety of uses, including outdoor recreational use, institutional use, special residential use, office use and road service use for property on the southwest corner of the intersection of U.S. Highway 280 and North College Street.
The outdoor recreation use is stipulated as a private park in the Auburn Planning Commission documents. The Institutional use is for a daycare center while the special residential use is for a bed and breakfast.
The remainder have a number of options listed. For example, under commercial and entertainment use this could result in a bank, a clothing store, a restaurant or a music store.
The planning commission recommended approval of the multiple uses provided that the multiple-unit development apartments only be located above storefronts, not as standalones.
Additionally, there were certain businesses the staff said should not be permitted, including an auto body or paint shop, a flea market, a parking garage or small engine repair shop.
Although the staff had other conditions, ultimately the planning commission recommend approval.
The documents provided show the hopes the developer has for the land include a wiffle ball field and flag football field, several commercial businesses and more.
The council also approved three different rezoning ordinances that rezoned the land. 19.4 acres were rezoned from rural to development district housing. 44.8 acres were rezoned from rural to comprehensive development district. 64.04 acres were given the Planned Development District designation.
NEW AUBURN CITY SCHOOL:
The city council voted to annex over 128 acres into the city of Auburn last night for the potential for a new Auburn City School.
The land is located at the east side of North Donahue Drive at the terminus of Yarbrough Farms Boulevard.
“Upon annexation, the property would be zoned Rural. Upon submission of a development plan by Auburn City Schools, a traffic impact study will be required,” said the city of Auburn e-packet. “The property includes the extension of Yarbrough Farms Boulevard to connect to College Street/Cary Creek Parkway, as reflected on the Major Street Plan, which should be included in the development plans for the property.”
OTHER BUSINESS:
– The council approved a concurrence for the Industrial Development Board.
– The council approved a concurrence for the Auburn Facility, LLC d/b/a Reverse Plastics Systems, LLC.
– The council approved a tax abatement for Shinhwa Auburn USA Corp.
– The council approved a tax abatement, a tax abatement extension and a tax abatement amendment and extension for SiO2 Medical Products, Inc. for a building expansion.
– The council approved a taxpayer penalty waiver request for Burger King #15169.
– The council approved a contract with the Alabama Department of Transportation for traffic signal maintenance and operations for Exit 50 on I-85.
– The council approved a contract with Auburn University for professional services for the Public Safety department that will end on Sept. 30, 2026.
– The council approved the purchase of two Dell VxRail E560F nodes for over $84,700.
– The council approved the purchase of 13 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV vehicles for the police division for $475,300.
– The council approved a contract with Evergreen Siteworks for expenditures for the Sam Harris Park/Westview Greenway Project for over $9,800.
– The council approved the purchase of a 2023 Isuzu NPR truck cab and chassis 6-yard side loader for Environmental Services for over $152,700.
– The council approved the purchase of a 2022 Ford F-150 XL 4×4 SuperCab Truck for the Engineering Services Department for just over $37,000.
– The council approved the purchase of a F-150 Super Cap 4×4 Pickup Truck for the Public Works Department — Landscape Division for just under $35,000.
– The council approved the purchase of 560 95-gallon roll out carts for recycling for over $34,600.
– The council approved the purchase of 560 more 95-gallon roll out carts for recycling for over $36,200.
– The council approved the purchase of a F-150 Crew Cab Pickup Truck for the police division for over $25,300.
– The council approved the purchase of three Ford-150 Pickup Trucks for the Parks and Recreation Department for over $84,500.
– The council approved the purchase of fire alerting equipment for Fire Station 6 for over $42,900.
– The council approved two board appointments to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
– The council voted against a rezoning of over 41 acres for property on the east side of Heath Road and north of U.S. Highway 280 from rural to large lot residential district. Because of this, the applicant withdrew a request for annexation as well.
– The council approved amendments to the zoning ordinance text.
– The council approved a commercial development agreement with Cleveland Northside, LLC for the commercial development incentive program created in 2011 for the Norhtside Crossing development.
– The council approved a resolution for a parking lot for the Son’s Ford Parking Lot at 114 East Veterans Boulevard.
– The council approved the expansion for industrial use for Third Generation Auburn, LLC.