[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6266502,"mediaKeyId","3087099-586b5a44ceb49227061bc45f8c7e9aee","parentId",3087099,"title","Planning commission recommends renaming Ryan Drive to Steve Perkins Drive after public testimony; one neighbor opposed","audioSeconds",1037,"startMs",4866000,"endMs",5903000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087099-586b5a44ceb49227061bc45f8c7e9aee&start=4866&end=5903","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087099-586b5a44ceb49227061bc45f8c7e9aee/thumbnail_4866000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6266502/Decatur-City/Morgan-County/Alabama/Planning-commission-recommends-renaming-Ryan-Drive-to-Steve-Perkins-Drive-after-public-testimony-one-neighbor-opposed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266502-170ffd242da4423b5f71a1bdfbde10ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770512968&Signature=WeztkagleF7Ni~V-KpciuRBHzMdIEaZIEPZ3twvTy0CYtzYR5TzAsTUz~jtTlUKJLIHq61Qz~Ke6YBICbQzk5X2td63UzzB8WA7k4DZIeZhuaqvjHFudqGC8IJpl32YpZzpHbWlWMfhtnxuPZM0ovaXQzTqRhmBSJ1xXYBPmvkvijwQvIxVsVb8AYoBt15KAUpfV7H0e75~cOTzVb1NKI5EjDWkbCoQXy0oa8Lyf1psGRX~bj4TDmIL3AvSqnsQ90DfKbEuQNVjPc6RGaDdC0oCJJvaYfgT6BnY0dbtDC9dAlTMO~WLyeThndZ5ffuDT56YIohCIIMPWWC6RGspFNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Decatur City, AL","date","2025-04-22T20:21:41Z","article","The Decatur City Planning Commission voted 8-0 on April 22 to recommend that city council consider renaming Ryan Drive to Steve Perkins Drive. Sharonda Acklin, a resident of Ryan Drive, presented the application and said she collected signatures from homeowners in support of the change following the 2023 death of Stephen Clay Perkins.

Acklin read a statement describing Perkins’ life and community involvement and urged the commission to forward the request as a way to honor his memory. \"To preserve his legacy, we would love to leave a beautiful mark in honor of Steve's legacy where he and his wife started their family,\" Acklin said. Several other neighbors and family members testified in support, describing Perkins as a helpful neighbor and present father. Elois Perkins, identified as a first cousin, said, \"I love Rhine Drive, and I would love to see Steve's name on the street sign saying Steve Perkins Drive, Southwest.\"

At least one neighbor spoke against the change. Rico Elliot and resident Justin Shepherd said they preferred to keep the existing street name; Brandy Taylor, who said she is the homeowner who withheld a signature, explained that the street name is a painful reminder and that some long‑term residents did not sign the petition.

Staff and commissioners noted the administrative requirement that a street name change application must demonstrate that a minimum of 75% of affected properties agree to a name change before it is final. Planning staff advised the applicant that about one or two additional signatures would be needed to reach the 75% threshold and that the commission’s role at this hearing was to verify paperwork and forward a recommendation to council. The commission voted to recommend the change to the council with an 8-0 roll call; staff recorded that the item will move forward to council with an 8-0 recommendation but that the applicant must secure the required signatures before formal action by the council.

The commission’s recommendation advances the request to the city council, which will receive the application and any documentation of homeowner support and will make the final decision on renaming the street and any required address changes for affected properties.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting 04:22:25","oneSentenceSummary","The Decatur City Planning Commission voted 8-0 to recommend to the city council renaming Ryan Drive to Steve Perkins Drive; the applicant fell short of a formal 75% signature threshold required for council action but commissioners forwarded the request after extensive public comment both for and against the change.","taxTitle","Decatur City, Morgan County, Alabama","taxId",5148,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6266507,"Planning commission approves consent agenda including Phase 1 layout for Country Club Road and multiple plats",974,4068000,5042000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087099-586b5a44ceb49227061bc45f8c7e9aee&start=4068&end=5042","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087099-586b5a44ceb49227061bc45f8c7e9aee/thumbnail_4068000.jpg","/articles/6266507/Decatur-City/Morgan-County/Alabama/Planning-commission-approves-consent-agenda-including-Phase-1-layout-for-Country-Club-Road-and-multiple-plats","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266507-618f389e409fb2f60941d64e1725fbad/orig.mp4?Expires=1770512968&Signature=YZsPpYasZF6OMRzO8n7lGhrtQRBngW5vbf6-pRhKDS8EM8FWciL4oJvZQIPplYSfQwCOjXebSpxnF0VuHHAC9YWidyD553XnSEzB9cmgEzmWlvgwo2Tg095GXVDB7FNHP0Kok4s4BLcPOwUSJb60BUX3hu3xCybbvEcAhh-W1eboB77NMvBeWb07nQt7XACIILbEPcglIwPKtCvHbidvGaHXaF0M93Qx52aB9QClAIh6yRNCCcLwB6qBpOTy9tgK7zVQ0XdOQ5ga0OI~i1pX1clJBCK59OUfjn3-QbjlLg07GtHWHtp5ozAvXpc8WhvbKm5sTSPbG03WsItuzbr5fQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decatur City Planning Commission on April 22 approved a consent agenda that included site plans, layout plats and subdivision certificates; the items were read together and voted on as a group after the public hearing on the Country Club Road master plan. The commission moved to approve the consent items with one item (Certificate 3643‑25) pulled for separate consideration.

Key items in the consent action included:

- Phase 1 layout plan for Country Club Road: 11.5 acres, current zone RD, applicant Pew Wright McAnally, landowner Cook Properties LLC; request to construct 65 residential units. Staff noted utilities relocations are at the owner’s expense.

- Site Plan 705‑25 (1.08 acres) for property at 1104 Bedline Place SE: applicant Dynamic Engineering Consultants, landowner Tri Land LLC; comments requested on electric easement, parking dimensions, erosion control plans and ALDOT standard notes.

- Certificate 3642‑25 (8.84 acres) for 928 Semmes Street SW: applicant Pew Wright McAnally, landowner Hernandez Universal Properties; request to subdivide one parcel into two with conditions to show sewer easements.

- Certificate 3644‑25 (6.4 acres) to consolidate four lots at 1301 Central Parkway; point of information: floodplain development permit required for any future development.

- Certificate 3640‑25 (0.56 acres) for lot line adjustments at Park Terrace; no conditions.

- Certificate 3646‑25 (7.54 acres) to consolidate/subdivide property on Highway 31 South; staff noted there is no wastewater at the location.

Commissioners set aside Certificate 3643‑25 (0.47 acres at 208 and 212 Church Street) for separate vote because a member had a potential conflict; that item was subsequently considered and approved by roll call with a 7-0 vote. The commission also reviewed a bond release request for Valley Park North (release of a $60,000 sidewalk bond) and voted to approve it. Vacation 556‑25 (vacation of 0.8 acres of a 20‑foot gas easement at 928 Semmes Street) was recommended to the city council; staff noted the utility (gas) has approved the vacation.

Staff reiterated the recurring point of information across these items: any relocation of utilities will be at the owner’s expense and must occur before construction. For parcels where future development is proposed in a mapped floodplain, a floodplain development permit is required before work begins. The consent decisions proceed as final actions of the planning commission where public hearing is not required; certain items will still move to city council for final approval as noted on individual items.","At its April 22 meeting the Decatur Planning Commission approved a consent agenda covering site plans, subdivision certificates and one phase‑1 layout tied to the Country Club Road master plan; one certificate (3643‑25) was held for separate vote and later approved 7-0.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6266511,"Planning commission approves 79.6-acre Country Club Road master plan after residents press flooding, cemetery and traffic concerns",3166,922000,4088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087099-586b5a44ceb49227061bc45f8c7e9aee&start=922&end=4088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087099-586b5a44ceb49227061bc45f8c7e9aee/thumbnail_922000.jpg","/articles/6266511/Decatur-City/Morgan-County/Alabama/Planning-commission-approves-796-acre-Country-Club-Road-master-plan-after-residents-press-flooding-cemetery-and-traffic-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266511-8b2207bbf84964bb2fcd3f1bf3185068/orig.mp4?Expires=1770512968&Signature=GeCuRB9imYo1asU6kb2rtE9PLSlc7kHJKGcA14uJ~QjVjRXCr4wn5ttQkjyu6bNT5jzYvpWdQ6wZP6nuFq0L6tHmClFBbtzJ9iIV5V~wtJkoFDVa0K3Q6XOT9KdgtTtvLPwo3DUOLT4gXlpXpW26A39kl90B~5yPwhE318AUXXLE5B3rOZT~b6Y9YaVDw0yPG2tfzGNLSeM~bjw74R9ECA1ITH7EqO4jwpuv4Mion-L46cntPHYtPzuznBNYBFlNEA3R7Q6FYjG7piPPP4LkmaUuRJtrjd-PdI3W-XY~BR~g-8xPOO0MjnyaS-o4OX9RNjNO2rOrkkTHsFilc5vV~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decatur City Planning Commission on April 22 approved a 79.57-acre master plan for the Country Club Road site, a mixed‑use redevelopment proposed by Pew Wright McAnally with Cook's Property LLC as the landowner. The commission voted 8-0 to approve the master plan, which lists the parcel at 2401 Country Club Drive Southeast and describes the proposed future land use as regional mixed‑use.

The plan calls for phased, mixed‑use development on the property and identifies Country Club Road Southeast as a minor arterial. Tommy Williams of the planning department read the application and noted that any relocation of utilities will be at the owner’s expense and must occur before construction. The commission recorded no conditions on the master plan at the time of the vote.

The master plan review drew extended public comment focused on stormwater, an on‑site cemetery and traffic cut‑throughs. Michael Stovall and other neighbors asked whether the project will worsen longstanding flooding in the area; Terrence Atkins and other residents urged that the nearby Blackfoot Cemetery be treated with “reverence” and better visibility; several residents said they had not received mailed notice of the neighborhood meeting and asked for clearer outreach.

The applicant’s representatives responded that the parcel itself is not in the mapped floodplain and will be required to provide stormwater detention in accordance with city subdivision regulations during the preliminary plat and engineering phases. \"There is no floodplain on this development property,\" said Blake McAnally; \"This property will have required detention to meet the subdivision regulations of the city of Decatur to retain any increase in the rate of runoff.\" David Horath of Land Innovations said the team had hired a third‑party archaeology firm and used ground‑penetrating radar at both cemetery areas; he said the searches did not identify burial connections beyond the areas already maintained and that the team wants to partner with the community to preserve and maintain those sites.

Engineering consultants described planned stormwater controls and traffic projections. A project engineer said the development will use detention, bioswales and other stormwater measures to ensure “no net increase” in runoff compared with current conditions, citing the city subdivision regulations that require detention. Scott of Skipper Consulting, the traffic consultant, said the full build‑out would generate roughly 400 peak‑hour vehicle trips (approximately 4,000 daily trips) and estimated Country Club Road’s daily volume would rise from about 7,500 to roughly 11,500, still under a conventional two‑lane capacity used for planning purposes. He also said the project’s design proposes turn lanes and phased widening in specific locations, and that future improvements to the Country Club/67 intersection are under review with the city and the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Neighbors pressed for traffic mitigation measures such as restricting left turns from the development or adding measures to discourage cut‑throughs on Fairway Drive and Apache Lane. Commissioners and staff acknowledged traffic increases are likely with growth and said mitigation and roadway improvements would be developed during preliminary engineering and through partnership with the city. Staff noted some design features aim to discourage use of Country Club Lane as a primary entrance; developers said phased turn lanes and a center turn lane in locations of left turns are part of the long‑term concept.

The commission’s approval cleared the master concept plan to move forward; preliminary plats, engineering, and any required permits (including floodplain permits where applicable) will follow and be reviewed by city staff and the appropriate agencies. The planning commission record notes that relocations of utilities are the owner’s responsibility and that preliminary engineering must demonstrate compliance with city subdivision regulations.

The item will next be considered by the city council where certain rezoning or other approvals may be required to make specific elements final.","The Decatur City Planning Commission voted 8-0 April 22 to approve a 79.57-acre master plan for mixed-use redevelopment along Country Club Road; neighbors raised concerns about flooding, an on-site cemetery and traffic; developer and engineers said detention and other stormwater controls will be required in later engineering phases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission recommends renaming Ryan Drive to Steve Perkins Drive after public testimony; one neighbor opposed

Planning commission approves consent agenda including Phase 1 layout for Country Club Road and multiple plats

Planning commission approves 79.6-acre Country Club Road master plan after residents press flooding, cemetery and traffic concerns