Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting - July 25, 2024

The Huntsville City Council met on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included a presentation from Downtown Huntsville, Inc., three public hearings on rezoning, and a series of board appointments. Key decisions included approval of all rezoning ordinances, a failed appointment to the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, and the approval of a new name for a section of Hollow Road.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the July 11, 2024, regular meeting were approved as submitted.
• Agenda was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Agenda-Related Public Comments:
  • Stephanie Malone, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Huntsville, spoke in support of the Dr. Richard Showers Recreation Center and Park architectural services item (20J). She requested continued partnership, input on design, and notification of any displacement during construction.
• Second Roster Public Comments:
  • Dr. Cubeon Washington spoke about an event/walk for community.
  • Yvonne Sferes spoke about old cobblestone/Woodsworth Road.
  • Tonia Stulting spoke about the library.
  • Debra Clotfelter spoke about public comments, livestream, and infrastructure.
  • Henry Jonas spoke about widening Governors Drive.
  • Monique Urquiza spoke about public/community.

Presentations

• Downtown Huntsville, Inc. (Item 7A):
  • Rob Buddo, President/CEO, presented an overview of the organization's mission and 2023 impact. Highlights included over 15 million annual downtown visitors (3% year-over-year increase), 6 food truck rallies (4,500 avg. attendees), 6 art walks (2,500 avg.), 4 movies in the park (1,200 avg.), and Tinsel Trail (135,000 visitors over 35 nights, 47% increase from 2022). The budget is ~$500,000, with ~$400,000 from membership/sponsorships/grants and the remainder from city appropriation. Councilmember Keith discussed the need for diverse housing and transportation options downtown.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearings on Rezonings:
  • Item 9A – Pulaski Pike Rezoning (5.16 acres): Rezoning from Residence 1 to Industrial Park District. Planning Manager Thomas Nunez explained the property is adjacent to North Huntsville Industrial Park; plat restrictions include a 100-foot buffer. Joy Johnson (West Arbor Drive) voiced concerns about habitat loss and lack of conservation. The ordinance passed unanimously (5-0).
  • Item 9B – Peebles Farm Rezoning (155.33 acres): Rezoning from Commercial Industrial Park and Residence 2-B to Residence 2, Residence 2-B, and Highway Business C-4. Joy Johnson again raised environmental and farmland loss concerns. Nunez noted a substantial portion will remain natural due to floodplain, and future trail connections are planned. The ordinance passed unanimously (5-0).
  • Item 9C – Greenbrier Preserve South Rezoning (95.07 acres): Rezoning from Residence 2 and 2-B to Planned Development – Housing District (LUI 45 and 56). Nunez presented a detailed plan for 401 single-family homes, noting it is part of a larger 1,200-home development over 10-15 years. Joy Johnson and Debra Clotfelter (McCullough Avenue) criticized the loss of farmland and potential impact on Wheeler Wildlife Refuge. Councilmember Robinson highlighted the project's affordability and proximity to major employers. The ordinance passed unanimously (5-0).
• Board Appointments:
  • Item 15A – Hall Bryant Jr. to Downtown Redevelopment Authority: Failed 2-2 (Kling and Meredith aye; Little and Robinson nay; Keith abstained). Councilmembers opposing cited the current seat holder Chris Hanback's desire to continue serving. Kling argued Bryant's qualifications and the need for rotation.
  • Items 15B and 15C – Reappointments of Paul Matheny and Dr. Jeanette Jones to the same board: Both passed unanimously (5-0).
• New Business Items:
  • Item 20H – Lease Agreement with Rocket City Federal Credit Union: Approved unanimously (5-0). City Administrator John Hamilton explained the lease allows ATM placement in the new Administration Building and Municipal Justice Center.
  • Item 20J – Architectural Services for Dr. Richard Showers Recreation Center and Park: Approved unanimously (5-0). Hamilton and Parks Director James Gosset described the contract as a full assessment of the campus, including community engagement, to inform future renovations. They emphasized the name will remain unchanged.
  • Item 20S – Drone Light Show for Concerts in the Park: Approved unanimously (5-0). Hamilton noted the show replaces a rescheduled fireworks display at the final concert on August 5, 2024, at no cost to the city.
• Street Name Change (Item 19E): Ordinance to change a section of Hollow Road (between Memorial Parkway and Meridian Street) to “DJ Richardson Way” in honor of Bishop Daniel J. Richardson. The Planning Commission had a 5-5 tie, but the Council approved the change (voice vote, ayes majority). Nunez noted only four properties are affected, all addressed off other streets.

Key Outcomes

• All three rezoning ordinances (Items 9A, 9B, 9C) were approved unanimously (5-0).
• The appointment of Hall Bryant Jr. to the Downtown Redevelopment Authority failed (2-2, one abstain).
• Reappointments of Paul Matheny and Dr. Jeanette Jones to the same board were approved.
• The Lease Agreement with Rocket City Federal Credit Union (20H) was approved 5-0.
• The Architectural Services contract for the Shower Center (20J) was approved 5-0.
• The Drone Light Show agreement (20S) was approved 5-0.
• The Hollow Road name change to DJ Richardson Way was approved.
• All other items on the consent agenda (Items 20A-G, 20I, 20K-R) were approved en bloc.
• The next budget schedule was announced: Council input session on September 5, budget introduction on September 12, work session on September 19, and final approval on September 26, 2024.