Marla Jones, Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala.--(FULL VIDEO ON SOUTHERN TORCH FACEBOOK) The Rainsville Zoning Board held a public hearing on Monday, March 28 to consider the rezoning of a 13.75-acre parcel of property, located on the corner of Chavies Road and Garrett Street, from agriculture to R-3 multiple family zoning. 

Skeeter Logan, President of the City of Rainsville Zoning Board, informed those in attendance that the Board did not have the authority to change property zoning. The Board only listens to the requests for rezoning and makes their recommendation to the Rainsville City Council. 

Property developer, Dr. Chad Williamson, addressed the board regarding his plans and tried to clear up some misinformation that had been circulating since he made a request for rezoning. 

Williamson spoke of his recent purchase of Wood Castle Apartments, consisting of 13 units, and the $200,000 renovation recently completed to fix the eyesore in the City of Rainsville. 

According to Williamson, the plan for the Chavies property was to start with four quadplex apartment buildings consisiting of sixteen units. He said he based that number on the population of the area. His plans were as Rainsville’s population increased, to build units as needed, but would be willing to sign a contract with the City to only build sixteen units. 

Williamson went on to say that despite the misinformation circulating on social media, the units would not be government-assisted housing.

“We are not in that business, we have over seventy units. I don't discriminate against people who have that. I saw a lot of that on Facebook. If you are here and you discriminate against them, shame on you. Those are people who need housing. 

That's not our target. Our target audience is medium to high income. People that don't want to have the upkeep or maintain a yard,” continued Williamson. “I understand that people think this will hurt your value but you haven't seen our stuff. I spend money because I'm not a Slum Lord. I want to make things better, that's who we are.”

Williamson stated that at this time, there was zero rental property available in the City of Rainsville and that was causing the City to not grow. 

“I may not be the solution but I understand there is a problem,“ stated Williamson. “Don't make me out to be the bad guy because I came from this area. My kids go to school down here, my niece and nephew go to Plainview. My family works here. I'm not some outsider, this is my home too, whether I live in Rainsville. I'm not here to make the community bad, I'm making it better. I invest in my community and DeKalb County, not in stock markets,” concluded Williamson.

Numerous property owners had the opportunity to address their concerns regarding the proposed rezoning with most objecting to the increased traffic, the wash of the land due to water flow problems in the area, and the possibility of the sale of the property once rezoned. 

The adjoining property owner, Stephen Skaggs, expressed his concern about the possible resale of the property. 

“The biggest issue I got, who's to say you aren't going to sell this place. Once you get our pre-approval, you can say anything you want to but when the right price is offered, everything is for sale,” stated Skaggs. 

“On a tract that size you are bringing in not just individuals, there are corporations now buying up houses, apartments, everything else, and that is prime real estate for them within walking distance from school with the right zoning,” concluded Skaggs. 

The consensus of adjoining property owners was that they had relocated from several different cities for a small community feel where everyone knew their neighbors. Others in the community expressed their concerns regarding the increase in crime. 

After hearing both sides of the proposed rezoning, the Rainsville Zoning Board ruled unanimously against rezoning the property from agriculture to R-3. 

The Board stated that Dr. Williamson could take the matter before the Rainsville City Council in May, which he declined to do.

“After hearing the concerns from the citizens of Rainsville, I rescinded my application for rezoning the 13.75 acres,” stated Williamson. “I do feel that without the availability of rental properties in the City of Rainsville, the City will never reach its growth potential.”