Council approves three rezonings near US-31, US-72 and Cambridge Lane

The Athens City Council unanimously approved three rezoning ordinances during its regular meeting.

The first ordinance rezoned approximately 3.68 acres owned by JHH Properties LLC, located north of Huntsville Browns Ferry Road and west of U.S. Highway 31 South, to B-2 (General Business District). Planning staff said the parcel abuts existing B-2 zoning and recommended approval; the council approved the ordinance on a 4–0 vote.

The council also approved a rezoning for 1.52 acres owned by Harry Reid Leonard Jr., Nancy K. McBay and Benjie McBay from R-1-1 (low-density single-family residential) to B-2. Harry Reid Leonard Jr. told the council the land has been in his family for decades and that surrounding parcels and the master plan support commercial zoning. Dr. Erin Brown and Dr. John Mark Russell spoke in favor of opening a veterinary clinic on the site; the council approved the rezoning on a 4–0 vote.

A third ordinance rezoned about 4.48 acres at 14399 and 14297 Cambridge Lane from Estate Residential and Agricultural to R-1-1 (low-density single-family residential). Staff said the change makes the parcels’ minimum lot-size requirements consistent with neighboring properties and would allow a future 50-foot right-of-way to meet a required second entrance for a nearby subdivision under fire-code access rules. Planning commission recommended approval; the council adopted the ordinance on a 4–0 vote.

Each item was reviewed by the planning commission and supported by staff before council action. No conditions or amendments were adopted as part of these ordinances.