Why zoning matters

Discussion

November 25, 2008

Anonymous The North Jefferson News Tue Nov 25, 2008, 10:38 AM CST

Most people don’t get upset about zoning matters.

That is unless it effects the value of their own property. Then they can’t understand why no one else gets upset about the subject.

We have just gone through another election cycle where a whole bunch of people ran for either mayor or council members here in Gardendale. They all ran on promises of controlled growth. Who and what controls the growth is questionable.

Former Sen. Jack Biddle once told me that there was room for only so many hamburger restaurants. Meaning one can only eat so many hamburgers.

One candidate mentioned the number of for lease signs on store fronts. Some former restaurants are now standing empty. Could it be because within a few miles in any direction we now have all the hamburger joints we need?

The new council will appoint a zoning board, zoning board of adjustments and appeals and other boards to help them run the city.

Some people think the mayor has all the power. Others think the council members have the power. The fact of this matter is the mayor does not have a vote unless there is a tie vote on a matter. It normally takes three out of the five council members to decide something.

The zoning board can only make recommendations to the full council with one of the members being from the council as representing the mayor and the council on that board. That member was William Flippo with 35 years of experience.

The zoning board of appeals and adjustments has the power to make decisions on matters where their word is the law. That is unless someone wants to sue the city.

That is another story. I would recommend not trying it unless you have a lot of money and 10 years to spare.

The buildings inspections officer interprets the zoning laws. He has a very competent staff who have been around for years doing their job. The members of the zoning board and the zoning board of adjustments have a hundred years or more of combined service to this great city of ours in deciding what is needed to protect the property rights of all citizens, not just a few special interest groups such as builders and real estate developers.

Don’t take my word for this. Just go to a few meetings after the new council and mayor are seated and then decide for yourself.

I don’t know anything — I am only a 200-pound gorilla with a ruler going around town measuring everything. My daddy always told me to measure everything twice so I won’t have to cut it but once.

Harold L. Smith

SFC US Army ret.

Gardendale, AL

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