Montevallo development moratorium fails

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 13, 2005

The Montevallo City Council failed to extend a 120 day moratorium Monday night on new residential development proposals not previously approved by any board of the city concerned with related matters of residential growth.

Dee Woodham presented petitions signed by 392 people to the city requesting that until such time as a written development plan is completed and disseminated to the public and public hearing are held for public input and a plan is approved by the City Council:

&161;That the Montevallo Planning and Zoning Board recommend no rezoning and the City Council approve no rezoning request for which the conceptual plan submitted contemplates residential construction of more than three homes.

&161;That neither body recommends nor approve any rezoning requests for which a conceptual plan has not been submitted.

&161;That the Montevallo Planning and Zoning Board approve no further plats for residential construction of more than three homes until the actions requested in the petition have been completed.

The previously approved moratorium began on Aug. 22 and was expected to expire on Dec. 22.

It stated that the mayor and council will suspend any approval actions on new residential development proposals not previously approved by any board of the city concerned with related matters of residential growth for a period of 120 days &8220;to allow for technical studies in progress planning, and ci tizen input to be compiled and completed, so we may move forward enlightened.&8221;

Councilmember Becky Cox-Rodgers said there had been good progress so far in getting information. And Mayor Sharon Anderson said public hearings would be held.

But Rogers called for a moratorium extension of 120 more days to complete the project, to hold two public hearing and to get a comprehensive plan in the hands of citizens.

Councilmember Greg Pendleton agreed that was only logical to do and to more forward.

But Anderson argued that progress could be made without a continuation of the moratorium.

She noted that concerns over water and sewer capacity were not proven. She also noted that the moratorium resolution of the council said, &8220;to allow&8221; for the actions that were listed.

But Rodgers contended that the moratorium resolution included the word &8220;completed.&8221;

Rodgers said, &8220;I don’t feel enlightened yet.&8221; She also pointed out that there remained a lot of &8220;confusion&8221; on the Planning and Zoning Board, which is without a chairman.

The vote to continue the moratorium then failed on a 3-3 vote with Hollie Cost, Pendleton and Rodgers voting in favor and Dana Byrd, Willie Goldsmith and Anderson voting &8220;no.&8221;

Following the meeting, Cost said, &8220;I’m disappointed. I think we have to finish what we started, and we haven’t finished it yet.&8221; She said water and sewers became issues of concern, but, &8220;There’s a lot more to it.&8221;

Woodham said, &8220;Obviously they haven’t completed what they agreed to 120 days ago.&8221;

Later in the meeting when discussion involved the city’s zoning ordinance, Pendleton referred back to the original moratorium resolution on development saying, &8220;We go forth unenlightened