The concerns raised by residents who live near the proposed new site for Rock the South are similar those that City of Cullman officials detailed in advance earlier this month.

In recent years, Rock the South co-owner Shane Quick said in interviews that the event was becoming so large that a new home was needed to accommodate the crowd and to offer expanded experiences such as camping and RV users.

The search for a larger location including a site in Good Hope, but eventually settled on a 140-acre tract within the Cullman city limits that had once been reserved for potential industrial development along County Road 469. The land now belongs to a private owner.

Rock the South partner Nathan Baugh contacted city official Jan. 3 about the proposed site to begin inquiries on what factors would need to be considered for the location, said Cullman Economic Development Agency Director Dale Greer.

“At that point, a lot of departments, including fire, police, building and others were brought into the conversation,” Greer said. “The questions have to do with traffic flow, safety, emergency vehicle paths, evacuation plans, medical stations … all of the things that were considered before for Heritage Park. The difference is in the location and what can be done to ensure those plans are workable.”

Quick has reported at the last two Cullman City Council meetings that work is under way to determine all of the factors in question, including the hiring of a specialist in traffic flow.

Residents from Deer Trace subdivision have voiced concerns about traffic and safety during the event, because the land is near their residences. The consultant said his findings would be ready in about a month.

“I think there was a lot misinformation at the first City Council meeting when this was raised,” Quick said. “There was talk about it being a rezoning and entertainment throughout the year, and that was never the case. But we’re past that and doing what we were asked to do. We have our marching orders.”

Quick said he is confident the site will be approved for a the annual permit needed for Rock the South once all of the factors are addressed.

“A lot of the residents who have spoken have concerns that we take seriously and knew they would have to be addressed,” Quick said. “We’re going to make sure this part of the city sees improvement. The heart of Rock the South is to go to a location and make it better. Heritage Park this summer will be the best it’s ever been because of what gave back.”

Greer also said once the reports come in from the consulting professionals for Rock the South, the permit request will go before the Planning Commission.

“The only unknown for anyone in this is that a site is being looked over,” Greer said. “These are many of the same people who have weighed carefully these issues for seven years for Heritage Park, and that’s reviewed each year. The difference is there is a new site and those questions come up again, as they should.”