Public raises safety, jurisdiction concerns as Dothan commission delays rezoning for 94-acre Barrington Road parcel

City of Dothan commissioners heard extended public comment Sept. 16 on Ordinance 2025-231, a request to rezone approximately 94 acres at the southwest corner of Barrington Road and Dale County Road 25 from AC to R-3. Residents and adjacent property owners told the commission the parcel’s roads, utility access and split jurisdiction raise safety and service questions.

Why it matters: Neighbors said the narrow, unpaved roads and unclear emergency-response responsibilities increase risk if dense housing is built. The developer asked for higher density to make the project financially viable and described plans for a mix of lot sizes and preserved green space.

During public comment, Mary Hannah Owens, a Dothan Planning Commission member, said she voted against the rezoning at the planning commission meeting. “I voted against this rezoning,” Owens said. “The reason I voted against it is due to firsthand knowledge living in an area where jurisdictions are complicated. It would be irresponsible for this move to move forward as it is a safety issue.”

Luke Pinnell, an adjacent property owner, told commissioners the area already draws multiple jurisdictions when emergency responders are needed and has limited utilities. “We are zoned to my property as R-1. The proposals for R-3 on this 94 acres — the problem with that is the ingress and egress into this property is a safety hazard,” Pinnell said, citing narrow Barrington Road, runoff into Murphy Mill Branch, and alleged illegal dumping along the route.

Other neighbors echoed concerns about road conditions, sight-lines on the county road’s blind curve and unclear responsibility for paving and maintenance. Scott Kennedy, who said his neighborhood homes range from $400,000 to $700,000, said additional traffic would reduce existing property values and that “there is no way 65 houses…that road can never handle that much more traffic at all.”

Developer Matt Kreiser, who identified himself as representing the project, said the plan is roughly a 10-year development and that the company builds a range of lot sizes and housing types to create a long-term community. “One of the reasons we are asking for the R-3 zoning is because…there’s more open space,” Kreiser said, describing a concept with mixed lot sizes, a central park and preserved tree lines.

Commission action: Commissioners voted on immediate consideration of the ordinance and the motion for immediate consideration failed; the item was scheduled for the commission’s Oct. 7 meeting for formal consideration. No final rezoning vote was taken Sept. 16.

What’s next: The postponement gives time for additional outreach among municipal and county jurisdictions and for the city to collect technical information the speakers requested, including traffic and emergency-response studies and clarity on which jurisdiction would be responsible for road and utility improvements if the development proceeds.

Ending: Commissioners and city staff said they will continue to review the matter before bringing the ordinance back for a formal vote on Oct. 7.