By Michelle Key
Publisher
Citing several concerns regarding a proposed development near Tiger Town, the Opelika City Council voted to approve a resolution to deny a rezoning application for the rezoning of 32.45 acres on Gateway Drive, also known as Capps Landing Entertainment District Planned Unit Development, during last week’s city council meeting. The concerns cited were:
- the proposed use of a fueling station at the development site is inconsistent with the city’s zoning ordinance
- the site of the development is not an appropriate site for a truck fueling station
- the proposed free-standing sign is not in compliance with the city’s sign regulations and zoning ordinances.
- The development will cause excessive negative impacts to existing adjacent properties and
- the proposed development will generate excessive large truck traffic, causing an increase in traffic congestion on Gateway Drive and the interstate ramps.
Opelika Police Department Officer Jonathan Fordham was recogonized as the city’s Officer of the Quarter. He was also recognized by the Concerned Citizens Organized for Police Support (CCOPS) organization during the meeting. Other officers recognized by CCOPS during the meeting were Zachary Jackson, ALEA, Gregory Miller, APD and Ashley Ogletree, LCSO.
In other business, the council:
• approved a request from Opelika Main Street for a street closure for the Christmas in a Railroad Town event scheduled for Dec. 13
• approved a request from Taste of Asia Inc. (KTV) for a beer and wine on premise license and a request for a restaurant retail liquor and beer on-premise license
• held public hearings and later voted to approve weed abatement assessments and liens for the following properties: - 308 Brannon Ave.
- 509 1st Ave.
- 1109 Magnolia St.
- 1301 Fitzpatrick Ave.
- 1917 Pepperell Parkway
- 2300 Dorsey St.
• held a public hearing and subsequently introduced an ordinance for first reading to amend zoning ordinance and map for property located at 1600 Toomer St. to R-3 to I-1
• awarded bids for single-phase pole mounted transformers, single-phase pad mounted transformers and a 15KV primary underground distribution cable
• approved a change order request for Emergency Lighting by Haynes
• approved the purchase of furniture
• approved a contract for the purchase of gasoline and diesel fuel
• approved a resolution to fund emergency repairs for truck #834
• approved a resolution for OPS to enter into an advertising contract with iHeart Media Radio
• approved a tax abatement resolution for the Kwangsung America Corp.
• approved an annual contract with the Lee County Rabies Officer
• approved the annual appropriation contract with the Lee County Humane Society
• approved a resolution to carry over current year city council discretionary balances to the upcoming year.
• approved an Intergovernmental Project Funding Agreement with Lee County to fund the cost of round-a-bouts at the intersection of Gateway Drive, Lee Road 54 and Society Hill Road
• approved a lease agreement with East Central Alabama Highway Safety Office after a second reading of the ordinance
• approved amendments to the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual after a second reading
• voted to suspend the rules and voted to approved the refunding trust agreement / Series 2010-B Warrants following the first reading
• Fuller announced the reappointment of Dr. Bill Whatley to the Housing Authority, whose term will end Oct. 18, 2024.