| 2005-04-05 Public Hearing |  |  |  |
 PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES The Prattville City Council met in Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 5th at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall with Council President Argo presiding. Roll was called and all were recorded as being present. AGENDA ITEMS 1. ORDINANCE: REQUEST TO REZONE PROPERTY LOCATED OFF OF OLD RIDGE ROAD AND U.S. INTERSTATE 65 FROM FAR TO B-2. David Avant, 626 Fairview Avenue, Prattville, Al 36066, appeared before the Council in favor of the rezoning request. No one appeared in opposition to the request. City Planner Joel Duke clarified that the Prattville Planning Commission recommended that a 100’ wide strip of property, which runs parallel to Interstate 65, be rezoned to General Business. He further clarified that the property will allow billboards with business advertisements to be placed there. 2. ORDINANCE: REQUEST TO REZONE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1137 EAST MAIN STREET FROM R-1 TO O-1. No one appeared before the Council in favor of or opposition to the proposed rezoning. City Planner Joel Duke stated that the Prattville Planning Commission approved the rezoning request. Mr. Duke informed the Council that Bo Evans requested the rezoning. 3. ORDINANCE: TO REPEAL CHAPTERS 5, 10, AND 16 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PRATTVILLE. No one appeared in favor of the opposition to the Ordinance. Gary Smith, 213 Brookhaven Drive, Prattville, Al 36067, appeared before the Council to request further clarification regarding the increase on business licenses. Fire Chief Stanley Gann stated that depending on the type and size of a business, an initial fee would be included in the business license when purchased at the first of the year. The fee would pay for two inspections during the year. If, however, a business is found to be non-compliant, an additional re-inspection fee is charged to the owner. Fire Marshal Terry Brown clarified that the proposed list of code compliance fees was derived from a comparison to other cities in various states which have a population comparable to Prattville. He also stated that while cities throughout the state are considering the implementation of fees for non-compliance, there are only 2 cities in north Alabama that are currently charging the code compliance fees. Councilmen Gillespie, Wood and Miller expressed concerns that the proposed fees for non-compliance may be set too low. City Planner Joel Duke informed the Council that the previous administration requested that the City Code be reviewed and brought up to date. He explained that in doing so, it was determined that building inspectors should go under the direction of the Fire Department. In making this change, coordination of various inspections could be scheduled, which in turn would simplify department procedure. Councilman Argo read a letter he had received from Mr. Jimmy Rutland, who serves as President of the Greater Montgomery Homebuilders Association. Mr. Rutland spoke of the Board’s concerns regarding the increase in building permit fees. Mr. Larry Smith, who is a local builder, appeared before the Council and stated that he supports the increase in fees, but asked that the Council consider a gradual increase over a period of 2 years. He further stated that by using the gradual approach, builders will be allowed to continue providing affordable housing at all levels. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Macready made the motion to adjourn and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. The meeting closed at 6:50 p.m. APPROVED:
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