SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Prior to Tuesday’s City Council meeting, the Sylacauga Planning Commission held a public hearing, and approved a recommendation to the City Council asking that it hold a public hearing to rezone property on U.S. Hwy. 280 for retail development.
That recommendation was passed unanimously by the City Council, and a public hearing has been set for March 7 at 6 p.m.
At the Planning Commission hearing members of Hutton Team LLC. asked that the property, which is currently owned by the city, to be zoned as B-2, a general business district. The property is currently zoned three different ways, B-1 local shopping district, B-2 general business district and M-2 general industry district.
According to Jamey Flegal, development partner with Hutton, it is necessary for the city to rezone the property. “Three different zoning classifications translates to three different building code issues and setback requirements,” stated Flegal. “It’s just important to make sure everything is consistent.”
Flegal said he pushed for B-2 zoning for multiple reasons. The first being height limitations for retail buildings. Flegal said he wants the buildings to be visible from the highway, and that opportunity is afforded under B-2. Parking restrictions were also a reason Flegal saw B-2 as the best option for the retail space.
After the Planning Commission public hearing, a City Council work session took place where Flegal was able to present Hutton’s plan in full to the Council. Flegal said he currently has around six stores committed to join the retail space.
Flegal said he could not name the tenants, but did say his company commonly works with stores like TJ Maxx and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Hutton has an agreement in place with the city to purchase the property once it has lease agreements in place, and is under a specific timetable for breaking ground and starting development. Flegal told the Council in the work session that if everything goes as planned, his company will break ground in May or June. Flegal also said he hopes to have tenants in stores by February 2018.
Other items discussed and approved:
- Approval to accept award of ADECA/LETS Pathways Grant in the amount of $19,500.
- Authorization of payment of additional funding in the amount of $1,500 to Sylacauga Parks and Recreation Department as sponsorship of the Miss Sylacauga and Miss Marble Valley Pageants.
- Approval of William Ferreria to set up portable trailer to sell airbrushed items in the parking lot of Advanced Auto Parts.
- Approval of travel/expenses for police to attend the First Line Supervision Series Training in Montgomery.
- Authorization of payments totaling $547,510.37 for December, 2016.
- Authorization of payments totaling $378,810.73 for balance of accounts payable invoices received for December, 2016.
- Approval of resolution declaring Fire Chief Jon Williams’ fire helmet and turn-out gear surplus property and authorizing presentation of same to Chief Williams upon his retirement as part of his retirement benefit.
Jeremy Law for SylacaugaNews.com | © 2017, SylacaugaNews.com/Marble City Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.