Decatur Planning Commission approves annexation, pre-zoning and multiple site plans in 7-0 votes

The Decatur Planning Commission on Aug. 19 approved a slate of land-use items by unanimous votes, including an annexation and pre-zoning for property at 2508 Gordon Terry Parkway, site-plan approvals for a church and college student union, and a lot-consolidation certificate. The commission recorded a final roll call of 7-0 on the consent agenda.

Annexation and pre-zoning at 2508 Gordon Terry Parkway: The commission approved Annexation 3825 to bring 2.35 acres into Decatur city limits and a matching pre-zoning (Pre-zoning 1420-925) to designate the site M-1A, expressway commercial. Planning staff said the parcel consolidation had been recorded by the county on June 10, 2025, and that the annexation will not be forwarded to city council until the city’s annexation moratorium is lifted. Conditions included removing a dilapidated structure on the western portion of the parcel, providing grease-interceptor details, and bringing utilities to the property at the owner’s expense. The motion to approve the annexation was moved by Forrest Temple and seconded by Eddie Pike; the pre-zoning motion was moved by Temple and seconded by Larry Wade.

River City Pentecostal Church site plan (Site Plan 710-25): The commission approved a revised site plan for a new church at the corner of Fifth Street and Fourteenth Avenue Northwest. The applicant added five parking spaces (raising the total from 14 to 19); staff noted the project remains within an existing parking variance. Conditions include showing perimeter landscaping on the plans.

Clearview Cancer Institute (Site Plan 713-25): The commission approved the Clearview site plan with technical conditions. Staff required revisions to drainage calculations, resolution of conflicting temporary construction details, a drive-width revision and gas-service information; utilities must be extended at the owner’s expense. Planning staff indicated the applicant would submit a revised plan the following day.

Calhoun Community College student union (Site Plan 714-25): The commission approved plans for a new student union on the Calhoun Community College campus at 6250 Highway 31 North, subject to ALDOT approval of drainage calculations for a storm pipe tie-in and addition of a concrete washout area to the erosion-control plan.

Certificate to consolidate (Certificate 3651-25): The commission approved consolidation of 109 and 111 Fourth Avenue Northwest into a single lot. Staff noted the applicant must obtain a variance for a shed/garage proposed to remain in the front yard.

Roll calls and outcomes: The annexation motion was moved and seconded on the record; multiple items were approved by roll call votes recorded throughout the meeting and confirmed in a final roll call. All items on the consent agenda recorded at the close of the meeting passed unanimously, 7-0.

Next steps: Items that require City Council action or additional state approvals (for example, projects tying into ALDOT-controlled drainage) will move forward through those review processes. For the annexation, staff said forwarding to City Council will be deferred while the city’s annexation moratorium remains in effect.