Zoning could halt moratoriums

Sand Mountain Reporter

By Lionel Green
The Reporter

Published January 3, 2009

Moratoriums on four types of Albertville businesses could be removed before their six-month expiration date if city officials complete a zoning plan for them.

Last month, the Albertville City Council placed moratoriums on tattoo/body piercing, check cashing/title loan and poultry processing businesses, as well as mobile food units.

The moratoriums are set to expire June 1.

Council members also considered a moratorium on new churches at the same time, but it never materialized.

Mayor Lindsey Lyons said the Building Department is coordinating with the Planning Commission “to come up with long-term zoning proposals for these particular businesses as well as applicable zoning for churches.”

Lyons said he thinks building and planning officials will move quickly on the zoning issues.

“I certainly do,” he said. “I believe their intent is to have a sense of urgency with this and have it done so we can take these moratoriums off early.”

City building inspector Paul Thompson said zoning tattoo/body piercing and check cashing/title loan businesses to keep them on U.S. 431 is one idea.

“That would keep them out of the downtown area,” he said.

The city could do the same with mobile food units.

“What we’re going to have to do there is enforce the fact they’re supposed to go home at night to a home base and clean up their unit and not sit anywhere overnight,” Thompson explained.

Thompson said controlling poultry plants and churches is more complicated.

“In my opinion, churches are going to have to be controlled by the Board of Adjustments,” he said. “They’re supposed to be going before the board anyway. We’re going to have to start doing that.

“It’s just not fair for people to spend their life savings on a home, and have a church come in among them and devalue their property and bring in the noise and all that parking.

“We need to let the board ask the neighborhood how they feel about it just like you would any other business that’s out of character for a neighborhood.”

Thompson said city officials plan to call the Alabama League of Municipalities next week to check into special zoning for churches.

Thompson said a new poultry plant could require a major investment by the city, especially regarding the sewer system.

“We’ll just have to look at that,” he said.

Planning Commission Chairman Don Spurlin said the city doesn’t need to rush into quick fixes.

“There are lots of misperceptions about zoning, and we’ve got to be very careful to be sure the paths we take are legal and practical and can withstand any court test that comes up,” he said.

Spurlin noted the Planning Commission has met just once since the new administration entered office two months ago and is still in the early phase of discussing solutions.