Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – October 27, 2022

The Huntsville City Council met on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting featured special recognitions, a series of public hearings on rezoning and land‑use changes, approval of the medical cannabis dispensing site ordinance, award of major street resurfacing and beautification contracts, and farewell tributes to outgoing Councilmember Frances Akridge.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from three prior meetings (August 26, September 26, and October 13, 2022) were approved unanimously.
• Resolutions and Ordinances approved en bloc (unless pulled for separate discussion):
  • Special recognitions (Huntsville Police Department Peer Support System, Mayfair Church of Christ).
  • Public hearing items 9B through 9J (rezonings and zoning amendments) were all approved with discussion on several items (see below).
  • Public hearings to set (Item 10A) – right‑of‑way vacation in Old Town Subdivision set for December 1, 2022.
  • Finance Committee: Expenditures totaling $30,138,011.02 (Resolution 22‑853).
  • Board appointments: Kelsey Smith and Thomas Holliday to the Ice Skating Complex Board, Richard Godwin to the Community Development Citizens Advisory Council.
  • Board nomination: Tom Estes to the Tennis Center Board (nominated, to be voted on later).
  • Huntsville Utilities: Agreement with Marshall County Gas District (Resolution 22‑857) – conveyance of pipeline in exchange for construction of a $750,000 gate station.
  • Legal Department: Vacation resolutions/ordinances for alleyways and rights‑of‑way in Pierre Addition, Wakefield Subdivision, and MidCity Subdivision Phase 6.
  • Unfinished Business: Ordinance 22‑845 (shooting range easement).
  • New Business (all except Items 20E, 20H, 20N): including travel expenses, donations, budget amendment, procurement, joint funding with USGS, Governor’s Drive landscaping agreements, design contracts for Raymond Jones Community Center and John Hunt Park Recreation Center, Big Spring Park retaining wall evaluation, law enforcement MOU, CDBG‑CV modification, historic preservation grants, settlement of two lawsuits, special employee agreements, and software upgrade.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Andre Wilson (District 2 resident) addressed school safety and the rise in student violence, urging proactive measures. He also noted the CDC director’s COVID‑19 infection and praised contactless water fountains in the building as a positive step.

Discussion Items

Rezoning & Zoning Amendments (Public Hearings)

• 9A – Nuisance abatement at 235 Victory Ln. NE: Community Development reported the property had 42 total notices (11 junk, 17 grass, 2 fence, 10 house, 1 unsafe building). The hearing was held with no public opposition; the resolution ordering abatement was approved.
• 9B – 71.55 acres at Martin Luther King Jr. Hwy & Pulaski Pike: Rezoned from Planned Industrial to Highway Business C‑4 and Residence 2 for a mixed‑use development with retail, multifamily, and single‑family housing. Councilmember Keith noted the community’s desire for housing and retail over warehouses. Planning staff explained the transition from industrial to community use north of the industrial park.
• 9C – 12.60 acres at Research Park Blvd & Old Monrovia Rd: Zoned to C‑4. Councilmember Akridge asked about apartment saturation; staff noted they monitor corridors and the market has been dry for over a decade, with a recent cautious slowdown.
• 9D through 9H: Approved with minimal discussion, including:
  • 0.84 acres (R‑2) at McMullen Rd.
  • 2.34 acres (R‑2B) at Brinell & Haysland (consistency correction).
  • 6.03 acres (R‑2 & C‑4) at Memorial Pkwy & Southpark Blvd.
  • 2.47 acres (C‑4) at US 231/431 & Countess Rd (with 50‑ and 30‑foot undisturbed buffers).
  • 153 acres (R‑2) at Hwy 72 W & Holladay Blvd (conversion from C‑4 for single‑family workforce housing, acknowledged as near Mazda Toyota).
• 9I – Crown Creek PUD: Amendment to reduce secondary front yard setback from 20 ft to no less than 12 ft for one lot due to street curvature. Planning staff clarified the PUD requires Council action.
• 9J – Apartment Structure Density Amendment: Ordinance 22‑685 limits multifamily structures to four per acre across all zoning districts. One public speaker supported the balance; the ordinance was approved.
• 9K–9M – Right‑of‑way vacations: Hearings held; votes taken later under Legal.

Medical Cannabis Dispensing Sites (Unfinished Business – 19B)

• Ordinance 22‑846 authorizing medical cannabis dispensing sites in the city limits, as required by state law, was approved (Councilmember Kling absent but supportive via proxy).
• Discussion: Henry Thornton (External Relations) detailed state restrictions – only approved products (non‑smokable), security requirements (guard during hours, 24/7 video/audio surveillance), zoning limitations (not in residential areas), and maximum of 9 licenses state‑wide (one per county). Councilmember Robinson expressed concern about oversaturation and youth exposure but believed the restrictions adequate. Councilmember Keith warned of secondary market risks and urged tracking of buyers and conversations with license holders. The ordinance passed with all present voting ‘aye.’

Street Resurfacing – Phase 1 (20E)

• Resolution 22‑862 awarded an $8,539,000 contract to SJ&L General Contractors for resurfacing 103 residential streets – the largest such contract.
• Public Works Director Chris McNeese explained the two‑year evaluation cycle, the vetting process with utilities, and how the list is built. Councilmembers Keith, Robinson, and Akridge pushed for better public communication of the ranking system and a possible online tool. The resolution was approved.

Governor’s Drive Median Landscaping & Pedestrian Improvements (20H)

• Resolution 22‑865 awarded a $1.5 million contract (funded by Choice Neighborhood Planning Initiative grant and city capital funds) to Lambert Contracting for beautification between Memorial Parkway and Clinton Avenue – a key corridor for the Choice Neighborhood (CNI) implementation grant.
• Councilmember Keith asked whether funds could be better spent on Pinhook Creek, but staff noted FEMA timelines made the Governor’s Drive corridor the appropriate choice. The project will be complete by late spring 2023. Approved.

Sandra Moon Community Center Phase 4 (20N)

• Resolution 22‑871 authorized a $1,203,875 architectural services contract with KPS Group for renovation of 110,000 sq ft, including theater upgrades, event space, elevator, and dressing rooms. Phase 2 is under construction (late spring 2023 completion), Phase 3 design wrapping up. Dr. Robinson praised the accelerated timeline. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• Medical Cannabis Ordinance approved (unanimous voice vote with all present). Zoning restrictions to be introduced in November and voted on in December.
• Street resurfacing contract awarded ($8.5 million, 103 streets; work to begin immediately with 15‑day notice to proceed).
• Governor’s Drive landscaping contract awarded ($1.5 million; 180‑day construction period).
• Sandra Moon Phase 4 design contract awarded ($1.2 million; construction expected summer 2023 after preceding phases complete).
• All 13 public hearings on rezonings/amendments closed and ordinances adopted as presented.
• Councilmember Frances Akridge honored by Mayor Battle and colleagues for her four years of service. She delivered farewell remarks and joked about “earning her small salary.”
• Next meeting: Special session for President’s Forum on November 1 at 4 PM; regular meeting December 1.