A Montevallo residential community has been given a new zoning designation, and the people of Montevallo City Council District 3 will soon have a new council representative.

During its regular Jan. 27 meeting and in the absence of Councilmember Paul Brown, the Montevallo City Council

unanimously approved a motion to rezone the Aldrich Community from A-O (Agricultural Open Space) to NC-2, a Neighborhood Conservation district that allows townhouses and garage apartments but only conditionally allows manufactured homes.

Also, councilmember Stann M. Garris notified the City Council of her resignation from that body, effective Jan. 31. She cited as the reason for her departure, additional out of state travel required in connection with her job.

The council held a public hearing on the rezoning of Aldrich at its Jan. 13 meeting.

At that time,

a majority of residents favored an NC-2 zoning over an NC-4 zoning. An NC-4 zoning would not allow townhouses or garage apartments but would allow manufactured homes outright.

Mayor Grady Parker urged those present for the Jan. 13 meeting to go back and talk to their neighbors and then come back to talk to the council.

At Monday night’s meeting, City Clerk Steve Gibbs again distributed information on the city’s zoning districts.

Gibbs and members of the council pointed out to those in attendance that manufactured homes already located in a NC-2 zoning district could remain there under a &uot;grandfather&uot; clause.

And it was pointed out that those grandfathered manufactured homes could be replaced following a fire or for an upgrade.

The Montevallo Planning Commission

recommended that property in the Aldrich community north of Highway 10 be rezoned NC-2 and below Highway 10 to be rezoned NC- 4.

But the Birmingham Regional Planning Commission recommended a mixed rezoning of NC-2 and NC-4.

However, it was the consensus of those attending the Jan. 13 meeting that the whole district should be zoned NC-2.

According to information presented at the meeting, NC-2 zoning &uot;provides for the greatest variety of residential use and greater density. The intent of this district is to preserve the character of older, mixed residential use neighborhoods and promote complimentary infill development.&uot;

An NC-4 zoning &uot;allows for medium density residential uses. It is the only Neighborhood Conservation District which permits manufactured homes.

&uot;The intent of the district is to preserve the character of mixed use residential neighborhoods, which have a large percentage of manufactured homes and promote complimentary infill development.&uot;

Councilmember Bob Lightfoot made the motion to amend the zoning ordinance for the Aldrich community to be rezoned NC-2 on Jan. 13. That motion was seconded by Councilmember Paul Brown.

Last Monday night, in the absence of Brown, the council voted unanimously to rezone the whole Aldrich community NC-2.

In her letter of resignation, read to the council, Garris wrote, &uot;Dear Mayor Parker, It is with mixed emotions that I am notifying you of my resignation from the Montevallo City Council effective Jan. 31 … I have enjoyed serving the city of Montevallo for the past two years. This town holds a special place in my heart, and I look forward to continuing to call Montevallo ‘home.’

&uot;As you know my job, as a Pharmaceutical Representative, requires a good bit of out of town travel. This travel has made it difficult for me to attend council meetings. As of April 1, I will be accepting a new position within my company.

&uot;This job will require additional travel out of state on a weekly basis. I recognized that this puts great limitations on my ability to effectively serve the city of Montevallo and to support my fellow council members.

&uot;I will miss the opportunities to work with both the council and the citizens of Montevallo. However, I believe it is in the best interest of the council and city to appoint someone who can give more time to the city.

&uot;Please know that I am always available and plan to stay involved as a volunteer as the city of Montevallo grows and reaches it full potential.&uot;

According to city officials, the council will now have to appoint a replacement from District 3 to serve out the 20 months remaining in Garris’ term.

Gibbs also pointed out that

new census numbers will require the city of Montevallo

to draw new district lines.

And Parker noted that the new lines will

have to be re-drawn before the 2004 elections and be approved by the U.S. Justice Department.

In another matter, the council appointed Michael Harmon to the Board of Adjustments. And the council heard a request from

Rick Mattox that the baseball fields in Stephens Park be named for Brad Epperson, a 14-year-old athlete who recently lost his battle with cancer