By Jogee Lenarduzzi
The Planning and Zoning Commission denied a much-debated request to change a property on Academy Road from commercial use to multi-family. They then approved another controversial zoning conditional change near the corner of North Montgomery and Highway 182 East.
Both requests were discussed at length by members of the community during a public hearing at the P. and Z. meeting. The property on Academy Road is currently a horse pasture, but B&P Developers of Mississippi and hoped to rezone so they could build a 63-plot neighborhood of single-family homes. Developers Eric Parker and Frank Brewer wished to target the homes at young families and retirees, but neighbors to the project were unsupportive. The Board agreed with the neighbors and Commissioner Jerry Emison motioned to deny the request because he said the kinds of developments that are allowed by an R-3 (multi family zone) were not consistent with the current neighborhood. His motion was second by Commissioner Pat Bryan, and then approved by all members except Ben Bounds who opposed the motion and Hicks who did not vote because of his working connections.
The other property change was requested by Michael Kracker. He did not wish to change the zone, but to receive conditional usage for apartments in a general business zone. The property is next to an apartment complex already owned by Kracker, and the new complex is opposed by surrounding neighbors. After much debate and one failed motion by Emison to not approve the request, a motion was made by Ben Bounds to approve upon certain restrictions. The motion was second by Moor and passed by votes from Pat Bryan and Dora Herring. The motion was opposed by Hicks, Emison and Loveless.
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