The Jasper City Planning Commission on Nov. 25 recommended that the city council approve a request from Rainy Day Development LLC to deannex a parcel adjacent to Highway 515 South so the owner can develop the land under Pickens County regulations.

Applicant David Shouse told the commission he has spent about $4 million assembling parcels in the area and said he sought deannexation because he could not secure city connections and wanted to assemble contiguous county parcels for a prospective $20 million–$25 million commercial project. "The city of Jasper has failed to serve the very taxpayers who have supported this community for decades," Shouse said, adding that sewer lines and pump station assemblies are already in place on the property but were never allowed to be connected.

Planning staff presented maps and legal context and recommended approval. Staff said the subject parcel is zoned C-2 (General Commercial), is undeveloped and would remain in the city’s water service delivery area even if deannexed. Staff noted that state law requires contiguity to the city boundary to reannex — "at least 50 linear feet" — and a two‑year waiting period to reannex after a deannexation. Staff stated it found the deannexation would not create a city island and that Pickens County had agreed to accept the parcel pending its own approval process.

Commissioners asked how water service and meter requests would be handled after deannexation; staff said applicants in similar situations must submit a water service request form that is processed by the deputy city manager and reviewed by city council. The planning commission’s action was a recommendation; the staff and chair reminded the public that final approval rests with the council.

The commission voted to recommend approval and will forward its recommendation and the staff report to the city council for final consideration.