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Florence residents have unanswered questions on zoning

By Christie Ileto - bio | email

FLORENCE, AL (WAFF) - People in one part of Florence met Monday evening to discuss a piece of property that's been the focus of potential development for years.

It was a packed facility at St. Florian Senior Center.

Residents in Florence's Old Hickory and Plantation Springs subdivisions voiced their concerns about not being heard.

"We had a lot of questions for him and we feel like his vote is very important for us," said Dick Blue as he addressed the sea of concerned citizens.

The vote that Blue, President of the Old Hickory Home Association, is talking of is that of Councilman Andy Betterton.

Blue had hoped that Betterton would attend Monday night's meeting to address his constituents' concerns face to face, but Blue had no such luck.

"It's going to create a lot of traffic, reduce value of the homes, people feel just because these are smaller homes going in," Blue said.

It's an argument shared by resident Judy Bullington.

"We think the type of housing there will be 8 ft apart. It's going to look like a project, and it's going to cause our property value to go down," Bullington said.

In the development plan, the land that is now Ponderosa Trailer Park will be rezoned to R-2, which fits up to six homes per acre.

Next door, Plantation Spring and Old Hickory have R-1 zoning that accommodates 3 or 4 homes per acre.

"He (the builder) would have to build property that would be compatible with our properties," Bullington said.

"I'm concerned about the increase in density next to us with the possibility of flooding," added concerned resident Rose Marie Connolly.

There are still many unanswered questions and lingering concerns as Tuesday's vote draws near.

WAFF 48 News was able get this statement from Councilman Betterton :

"I believe the Hickory Plantation project is a good plan & gives the city the most control in its development to protect surrounding residents. The 10 acre tract is particularly suited for small lot construction & when completed, will offer superior amenities for its homeowners. "

He also shared that he plans to support R-2 zoning for that 10 acre patch of land if brought up for immediate consideration at Tuesday evening's council meeting.

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