The Cullman City Council will soon take up the proposed annexation of 90 acres of unincorporated farmland along Cherokee Avenue Southwest for industry and business. 

The former Ege farm sits west across the highway from Wal-Mart Distribution in the Cullman Industrial Park.

On Tuesday, the City of Cullman Planning Commission agreed to recommend to the city council the annexation of two tracts — 81.79 acres zoned to manufacturing (M1P) and 9.79-acres for general business (B2) — at the request of the Cullman County Industrial Development Authority.

Councilman Andy Page abstained from voting since the annexation now moves to the City Council to consider.

In other business Tuesday, the Cullman Planning Commission:

* Approved minutes from December 5 meeting.

* Held public hearing and approved request for short-form subdivision with four lots at Third Street and Austin Avenue Southwest.

* Held public hearing and approved short-form subdivision at Cullman Regional Medical Center, with Chairman Mike Voss noting a requirement was missing from the plans, which he said marks the third time the group presenting plans failed to include all required items.

* Approved proposed site plan for Park View Duplexes, off McNabb Drive Southwest. Voss said a 1955 plat showed a road “Hudson Drive Southwest” on the property, however no record of the road being transferred to the city has been found. The commission also discussed whether R-4 zoning that allows for multiple duplexes or zoning for a planned housing development better applied, since this latest project would put seven duplexes on one lot. Rick Fulmer, director of building, planning, zoning, said R-4, the current zoning, was more restrictive since it has requirements regarding square footage and setbacks.

* Discussed proposed revised site plan for retail development at 300 Second St. S.E. that did not include any landscaping, required by ordinance, in an effort to maximize available parking space. The commission recommended the developer John Leonard withdraw the proposal since the commission had already approved a previous site plan that included landscaping as required by ordinance. Leonard agreed to withdraw the proposal. 

 

Tiffeny Owens can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 135.