Council turns rezoning issue back to planning commission

Published 10:15 pm Monday, February 11, 2019

Rebecca Peinhardt talks with other residents of County Road 469 after Monday night’s meeting. Peinhardt read a letter opposing the proposed location for Rock the South.

A rezoning request that has drawn weeks of objections from Morningside Drive residents will return to the Cullman Planning Commission for another round.

Based off a recommendation from city attorney Roy Williams, the Cullman City Council voted Monday to delete an item from its agenda to set a public hearing on the rezoning request.

Williams said the request was amended at the last Planning Commission to be just solely R-4 instead of R-4/B-2 as originally advertised to the public. In that case, he said, the process should start over based on the new request

Council members then unanimously voted to send the matter back to the Planning Commission.

The land at the heart of the zoning issue sits on 10 acres along Morningside Drive. Residents, more than 40 of them, attended the Planning Commission to object to any changes that would affect their neighborhood. Many of the residents said they did not want an apartment complex in the area and that it would create traffic congestion.

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Following the council’s vote, a resident of County Road 469, where Rock the South has targeted for a new setting, read an objection to the 140 acres being used for the two-day concert.

Rebecca Peinhardt read a letter and asked that it be entered into the minutes. She said she was not opposed to the concert or the promoters, but believes the location is ill-suited to such a large crowd and would pose safety concerns for many residents.

The council, along with Assistant Police Chief Craig Montgomery, also recognized two officers for 10 years service. Officer Matt Slosser, who has an accounting background and heads the department’s reserve officer program, was recognized. Officer Tim Nalley, who served in the military in Afghanistan and Iraq, was also recognized for his years of service.

Requests for two events were also approved.

A 5K run and a one-mile run starting at East Elementary School gained approval for March 16 at 7 a.m. The event is a fundraiser for playground equipment at the school.

A 5k run request for Desperation College at the Festhalle on April 27 at 7 a.m. was also approved.

Jason Nunnelley also gained approval to begin as the director of Technology Village. He will start Feb. 25.

Mayor Woody Jacobs also asked residents to keep West Point Mayor Kenneth Kilgo in their prayers after learning he was hospitalized with an illness.

The council also approved:

the first reading of an ordinance to authorize and approve the rehiring of retired police officers and firefighters.

  • a resolution to approve new promotion procedures for the police department.
  • a resolution to amend the physical fitness stiped for certified law enforcement officers and firefighters to include a stipend of one-half the normal rate for part-time certified law enforcement officers that have worked a minimum of 250 hours in the preceding year.