Opelika staff ask to advertise public hearing to rezone 48-acre Crawford Road parcel

City staff asked the Opelika City Council to advertise a public hearing on a request to rezone a 48-acre property at 2051 Highway 169 (Crawford Road) from R-1 (rural large-lot residential) to C-3 (general business).

Mister Moseley told the council the request comes from the Antoine and Raven Harvest Living Trust and noted the parcel is near existing commercial development including M and M Grocery. He said the city of Opelika Planning Commission forwarded the item with a positive recommendation and a condition that no additional development occur on the property if rezoned until public sewer is available to the property.

The matter was presented as a request to advertise for a future public hearing; no final rezoning decision was taken at the Nov. 4 meeting. Council members asked no substantive questions of staff during the work-session presentation.

Why it matters: rezoning 48 acres from residential to general business could allow a broader range of commercial uses near an existing commercial node on Crawford Road; the planning commission’s sewer availability condition would limit development until public infrastructure is extended.

What’s next: advertising a public hearing formally starts the public-notice process and will set a future meeting for public testimony and a council decision.