Columbiana prezones and annexes 435-acre tract; rezones 5-acre parcel for commercial use

Columbiana city officials prezoned and then annexed a roughly 435-acre tract on Highway 47 North and approved a separate rezoning of about 5 acres on the Highway 25 Bypass at a council meeting, actions the council took after public hearings and Planning and Zoning recommendations.

The decisions came after a public hearing at which Sean Brown, representing the property owner Johnny Walker, described the Highway 47 plan as a "mini farm development" intended to preserve trees and privacy while providing low-density homesites. The council then suspended its rules and passed the prezoning ordinance and the annexation ordinance by roll call vote.

The prezoning and annexation affect tax parcels described in the meeting as 21210000001.000 and 21111000001.000 and would change the parcels from no municipal zoning to A-1 (agricultural). Brown said the property has frontage on Highway 47 and Rock Ridge Road, and described the project as a rural-style subdivision offering 5- to 40-acre tracts. At one point he said the tract was "about 4 little over 400 acres" and later referenced "I think we said it's 435." The council introduced and approved ordinance Z07-10-25 to reflect the change on the city zoning map.

Separately, the council took up a rezoning request for a portion of tax parcel 17263001001.000 on the Highway 25 Bypass, moving roughly 5 acres from R-1 (residential) to M-2 (industrial/municipal commercial zoning). A speaker identified in the hearing as a local business person said the area already functions in part as a small commercial district and that a business was interested in relocating to that parcel. The council introduced ordinance Z071025A for that rezoning and approved it by roll call vote; the ordinance includes the condition that development comply with city rules, regulations and procedures.

Planning Commission background: Council members said the Planning and Zoning Commission had held prior hearings and recommended approval for the applications. The commission also approved the final plat for Saddlewood Phase 2 at a prior meeting; a council member estimated that phase at about 30 lots. Council discussion clarified that some of the rezoned Highway 47 acreage would use Rock Ridge Road for a quieter entrance to reduce direct access to Highway 47.

Legal and procedural notes: The council held a formal public hearing, temporarily suspending the regular meeting to accept testimony. The prezoning ordinance was adopted on its introduction after the council suspended the rules by unanimous roll call. The annexation ordinance was introduced and adopted in the same session; the city clerk is authorized to file the ordinance and an accurate legal description and to update the city zoning map.

The council did not specify a timetable for development approvals, site plans, utilities or road construction tied to the annexation. Council discussion clarified that roads built by a developer must meet city standards and be inspected by the city engineer before the city would accept maintenance responsibility; developers sometimes create homeowners associations that maintain private roads instead of conveying them to the city.

The council vote records in the meeting showed unanimous support from members present; council roll calls recorded "Yes" votes from council members Lilly, Maisel, Ruston, King, Phillips and Mayor Mary Mitchell.

The actions will change municipal boundaries and the zoning map and set up future administrative and permitting steps if developers submit plans. The council did not vote on any specific development plan, density limits, utility schedules or incentives at the meeting.

A closing note: Planning items including the Saddlewood final plat continue to follow the city’s public hearing and review process; the council indicated rezoned parcels will return as needed for annexation-specific approvals or development applications.