Marla Jones, Managing Editor
FORT PAYNE, Ala.-- On Tuesday, July 12, the Fort Payne Planning Commission held its regular meeting.
On the agenda was a request by The Broadway Group to rezone 12.88 acres, owned by Marlin and Ann Blalock, just east of Big Wills Drive and 49th Street NW from R-1 (Low-Density Residential District) to C-3 (Highway Business District) for the commercial development of a Super Dollar General Store.
Over sixty residents of the area, attended the meeting to voice their concerns about a commercial development being put in a premier neighborhood, according to Fort Payne Council President, Walter Watson.
The Fort Payne Planning Commission denied the request for the zoning change. After six months, the group can reapply.
Southern Torch reached out to property owner Marlin Blalock for comment.
“I bought the property as an investment to develop” stated Marlin Blalock. “ I plan to develop and pursue other options if the Super Dollar General does not work out.”
Blalock went on to state that MapCo had reached out to him about acquiring the property for a truck stop, due to the close proximity of the interstate but that Dollar General had the option currently on the property.
“With the City doing a Comprehensive Master Plan with GMA, we didn't feel like it was the best decision to rezone at the time until we can get input from the citizens and from the results of this Master Plan to better facilitate growth for Fort Payne” stated Fort Payne Mayor Brian Baine.
