Madison County planning panel backs rezoning request for 1364 Aderhold Rogers Road

Brenda Watkins asked the Madison County Planning and Zoning Committee on a request to rezone and split a 26.51-acre parcel at 1364 Aderhold Rogers Road in Commerce, and the committee voted to recommend approval to the Board of Commissioners.

Watkins told the committee the property has been in her family since about 1880 and that she sought to split the parcel into two tracts of 12.751 and 13.763 acres so a neighbor can purchase part of the land to expand a nearby farm. “I have peace that this is what I should do with my family farm,” Watkins said during the public hearing.

The committee opened the public hearing, received no public opposition, and then moved to approve the request. The committee noted this is the first of two hearings; the recommendation will be presented to the Board of Commissioners at a June 2 meeting at 6 p.m. for final action. The committee chair advised Watkins to attend the June 2 hearing if she had questions.

No formal conditions or contested findings were recorded in the planning commission’s discussion. Committee members asked no follow-up technical questions about access or easements during the public portion of the record. The county’s zoning administrator introduced the application and described the parcel and proposed split.

The proceeding followed the commission’s public hearing procedures: applicant presentation, planning staff comments, applicant remarks, public comment, rebuttal and board deliberation. With no speakers in opposition, the commission moved the file forward to the Board of Commissioners for final consideration on the scheduled date.

The Board of Commissioners will make the final decision at its June 2 meeting.