Calvin Ard

The council considered a rezoning request for the property located at 1319 Pisgah Road SE to change its designation to Residential Single-Family Estate. Additionally, the council authorized the Mayor to negotiate an agreement with the Alabama Community College System for a Project Assistance Commitment involving Calhoun Community College, which includes a financial commitment of up to $3 million for land conveyance and facility improvements.

The Council reviewed and approved several resolutions, including a budget amendment for an artificial intelligence sorting solution, park improvements at Jessie Lewis Smith Park, the appointment of a new Human Resources Director, and the creation of a new Crime Analyst position for the Police Department. Other actions included authorizing electric modifications for Decatur Utilities, renaming Frazier Park to Odom-Frazier Park, establishing an MOU with Decatur City Schools for storm shelters, and approving the purchase of a baler for the Recycling Department. The Council also held the first reading of an ordinance for a chauffeur service and reappointed a member to the Architectural Review Board.

The Planning Commission Meeting addressed several agenda items across various categories. Preliminary plats reviewed included the Omega Subdivision (10.8 +/- acres, current zone CC) and Southbrook Phase 1 (11.1 +/- acres, current zone UC-MX). A rezoning request (1443-26) was presented to change 3.24 +/- acres from RSF-10 to Community Commercial (CC). The Consent Agenda included two Certificates: Certificate 3661-26 for a subdivision in O-MX and Certificate 3662-26 for a subdivision in RSF-7. Additionally, the Commission reviewed the Site Plan for Foxwood Subdivision Island by Lennar Homes, and the Final Plat for Omega Subdivision was presented.

The Regular City Council Meeting included several key actions. The agenda featured setting a public hearing for the re-zoning request (1445-26) of property at 3418 Indian Hills Rd SE to Community Commercial, with the hearing set for April 6, 2026. Public hearings were held and resolutions approved concerning the re-zoning requests (1442-26 and 1443-26) for properties on Indian Hills Road SE and Oxmore Flint Road SW, respectively, both moving from Agriculture or Residential Single-Family to Community Commercial. Resolutions addressed the purchase of T880 and Roll Containers for Environmental Services, authorizing acceptance of an Alabama Department of Conservation Grant for a Bike Path, approving a Budget Amendment for Modaus Road Widening, authorizing a Change Order for Veterans Drive Water Main Extension, and authorizing the Mayor to approve water line relocation for the South Brook Development Project. Other resolutions involved approving an extension for the River City Lofts development agreement, reclassifying American Rescue Plan Act Funds, declaring a 2009 Ford Escape surplus for donation, and approving the renaming of Frazier Park to Frazier-Odom Park. The Council also appointed new members and reappointed existing members to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Architectural Review Board.

The agenda primarily focused on the final plat for the Omega subdivision, located on 10.8 acres at 2251 Old Molton Road Southwest, currently zoned community commercial. The request involved subdividing the land into four parcels. Discussion centered on compliance conditions, specifically addressing the requirement for a sewer extension for one lot and the necessity of a gas main extension. The commission debated the procedural aspects of approving a final plat that differed slightly from the previously discussed preliminary plat, noting that the change consolidated two lots to meet a sewer access condition, thereby reducing intensity. The commission ultimately approved the final plat with a vote of four yeas, one nay, and one abstention. A second item addressed the approval of a line of credit for $141,000 to guarantee sewer extension work, which was approved unanimously (six to zero) as an alternative to immediate infrastructure improvement.