Thursday, October 24, 2013
Council Leaves Zoning At Busy Intersection As Is
After listening to concerns voiced by a number of people during a public hearing held Thursday morning, Lawrenceburg leaders opted to allow zoning at a busy intersection to remain as is.
In September, members of the Lawrenceburg Board of Mayor and Council approved an ordinance on first reading that would allow for a zoning change at the Weakley Creek/Springer Road intersection.
The property is located adjacent to Lawrence County High School and Columbia State Community College.
Owners Larry and Linda Braswell had requested that property located at the intersection’s northeast corner be rezoned from the current R-2 (low-density residential district) rating to C-4 (neighborhood convenience service district).
Paperwork submitted on their behalf by Cleghorn Land Surveying, LLC, indicated that the land would be utilized for construction of medical and professional services offices. The ordinance had been brought before the council under a negative recommendation by the city’s planning commission.
A number of residents addressed the council during Thursday’s public hearing. None spoke in favor of the zoning change. Resident Mary Jones provided the council with a petition bearing eight pages of signatures, asking that zoning be left as is.
Resident Betty Lyles pointed out that traffic in that area is already extremely heavy at times and poses a significant hazard for kids walking to and from school.
She told commissioners that on school days she sometimes has to stop traffic so that her granddaughter can cross the street. She said that the proposed construction would only intensify the problem.
Resident Pat Wilson cited problems with traffic and safety, as well. He said that with no shoulder on Weakley Creek Road and a ditch immediately beside it, he has often seen kids walking to and from school, “jump in a ditch to avoid traffic.”
Resident Janelle Tinin provided statistics on the number of traffic accidents that had occurred at the intersection during the past two years.
Resident Ron Edwards quoted Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., saying, “I’ve been to the mountaintop…and I’ve looked over.” He told council members, “I think this is what we should do before making this type of decision – look on the other side.”
He pointed out that there are two similar properties at the intersection and questioned whether future requests for zoning changes could logically be denied if council members approved the first zoning change.
Mickey Dunn, Safety Coordinator for Lawrence County Schools, told council members that officials with the school system, “Are in opposition to the zoning change due to safety issues for the children at our school.”
LCHS Principal Michael Adkins told the council that the area around the school campus is congested throughout the day.
He said that while students are at school the focus is on academics and all of the things involved in making a quality school, but said there are other concerns.
“The thing that matters the most to parents is safety,” he emphasized. He said the fear is that any changes might serve to decrease safety for students.
Sissy Holt with Columbia State Community College stated that although she has empathy for the property owners, she opposes a zoning change. She said that traffic on Springer Road is “unbelievable.”
Due to traffic congestion she said the college parking lot is often used as a “pass through.” The college has installed speed bumps to ensure greater safety, but she said the addition of a business there would compound the problem.
Also addressing the council was Lawrence County Commissioner and former Lawrenceburg Planning Commission board member Bert Spearman.
Spearman explained that he is the representative for the citizens of that area on the county’s Board of Commissioners and as such had spoken with many of the residents. “The people don’t want this zoning,” he said. He questioned whether the current infrastructure would support C4 zoning. He emphasized, “We’re against it and ask that you support us in not having this C4 zoning.”
Immediately after the public hearing was closed the ordinance was brought to the table. When council members made no motion for approval, City Attorney Alan Betz recommended that some sort of action be taken. The council then voted unanimously to disapprove the ordinance.
