Rainsville Council handles rezoning (VIDEO)

Rainsville Council handles rezoning (VIDEO)

PHOTO: Garrett Street, which runs behind Plainview High School. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch) 

By C. Campbell, Staff Writer

cody@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — On Monday, October 17th, the Rainsville City Council held their regular meeting, the final session before the recently elected council members take office on November 7th. During both the meeting and the workshop, the council dealt with several important issues that would help the city out as the reins are handed over to the new mayor and city council.

While in the workshop, a public hearing was held regarding rezoning two pieces of property on Garrett Street, currently zoned as agricultural. One was planned to be changed to low density residential, while the other was to become a general commercial zone.

According to Councilman Roger Lingerfelt, the residential area is going to be redeveloped as a new subdivision with an estimated 60 homes, while the commercial plot behind Plainview School was to allow an antique store to remain in its location.

When the floor was opened for discussion, none of the citizens present voiced any opposition to the change. The council accepted the 4-0 voting decision of the Zoning Board for these changes, and the four members in attendance voted unanimously on the re-zoning ordinances as well.

During the meeting, the following items were brought before the council:

  • A motion was made and approved, allowing Every Watt Matters to perform an energy audit on Rainsville. According to Councilman Joseph Graham, this audit would have the ultimate goal of saving on the city’s utility bills.
  • A motion was made and approved, empowering the city clerk to open an account at First Southern State Bank, regarding the wastewater treatment project. Lingerfelt explained that this account was for a loan about to go through for the project, as this money couldn’t be part of the general fund.
  • A motion to move the next city council meeting on November 7th to 6 PM at the Tom Bevill Center was made and approved.
  • A motion to open up bids for renovating the city pool was made and approved, which would be opened by the new council at their meeting on November 21st. According to Councilman Brandon Freeman, the renovations would mainly involve an overall facelift, but would also include the development of a splash pad at the site.