A chain of collision repair shops has decided not to move into a former tire store in Pinson.

Mayor Hoyt Sanders told The North Jefferson News on Friday that officials with Joe Hudson’s Collision Centers had changed their mind about moving into the former Big 10 Tires location on Pinson Blvd., due in large part to the controversy over whether a repair shop of that nature would conform to the existing highway-commercial zoning for that property.

“I’ve been advised verbally by Joe Hudson’s that they will not pursue that location,” Sanders said. “Hudson’s appears to be a good corporate citizen by all accounts, and we hope that we can find them another suitable location within the city.”

The Pinson City Council had previously approved an incentive package that would give the company a lease on a piece of city-owned property behind the vacant building; that space would be used for storage of vehicles awaiting repair. The incentives were based on projected sales figures and the accompanying sales taxes that would accrue to the city.

That move was opposed by Councilman Robbie Roberts on several points. Among them, Roberts said that the presence of a body shop in a prime business location would make it more difficult to attract restaurants and similar businesses that were more desirable and suitable.

Roberts also took issue with whether the kind of work Hudson’s would be performing would meet the “minor repairs” allowed under highway-commercial zoning regulations.

The incentive package passed on a 4-2 vote, with John Churchwell joining Roberts in opposition.

Then on Sept. 7, the council revisited the issue, hearing from several residents who were opposed to the move. Council members then unanimously voted to rescind the incentive package, but also voted to delay that action taking effect for 30 days, so that they could receive guidance from the Planing and Zoning Commission on whether the body shop met the requirements of highway-commercial zoning.

The commission was to take up the matter at its next meeting on Aug. 25. They still will, Sanders said, even with Hudson’s decision not to move into the property.

“We’re still looking at clarifying the meaning,” Sanders said.

Attempts to reach officials with Hudson’s for comment have been unsuccessful.