By Rebekah Martin
Associate Editor

The Opelika City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to enter into an agreement with Village Partners, LLC, that will result in the construction of 48 new single-family homes near Saugahatchee Country Club. The Village at Hamilton Lake will boast upscale condominium homes and will be located off of Hamilton Road.
According to the resolution council members passed Tuesday, the city will pay Village Partners, LLC a total of $180,000 for the design and construction of future private streets that will connect the new development to the existing Stonybrook Point subdivision, as well as related utility infrastructure. The road extension project is expected to be completed on or before Dec. 1 of this year, with lots being available for purchase by April 2017.
Opelika City Council president Eddie Smith said the new development is great progress for the city. “We will have a 48-lot, upscale development that will provide housing that will be attractive for new people because of the location right outside of Tiger Town, it being close to the country club,” Smith said. “It will also be good for people who are looking for a downsizing opportunity.”
In other business the council:
-approved expense reports from various city departments.
-approved the purchase of a 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe from the OIDA for $33,000.
-Approved emergency repairs for the Westside Sewer Plant and Saugahatchee Lift station.
-Approved weed abatement assessments for the following properties: 502 M.L. King Blvd., 225 Vero Ct., 229 Vero Ct., 12 E Johnson Ave. and 1109 Magnolia St.
-authorized the Opelika Planning Department to charge a zoning certificate fee.
-tabled resolution for demolition for the property located at 806 Powledge Ave.
-recognized Thaddeus Jones with an “attaboy award.”
-recognized Alyasia Maddox, Kimecia McCord and Lauryn Marshall for their success in the recent Future Business Leaders of America competition.