The Jasper City Planning Commission on Nov. 25 recommended that the City Council allow a Rainy Day Development parcel of roughly 6 acres to be deannexed and turned over to Pickens County for future commercial development.

David Shouse, a member of Rainy Day Development, told the commission he had spent about $4,000,000 acquiring multiple parcels and said the city had not provided water and sewer service to the site. "The city has prioritized large outside corporations while neglecting local landowners who have consistently paid taxes," Shouse said.

City planning staff recommended approval, saying the property is undeveloped, would not create an island if deannexed, and would remain within the city's water service delivery area. Staff noted that state statute requires at least 50 feet of contiguity to city boundaries and a two-year waiting period before a property that has been deannexed can be reannexed.

Commissioners asked about existing meters and the process for additional water-service requests; staff said applicants must submit a water-service request form to the deputy city manager and that any additional meters are subject to separate review by the city council. Staff also told the commission that Pickens County commissioners had been scheduled to accept the parcel at their meeting on Nov. 17.

The commission made a motion to recommend approval of the deannexation and the motion was seconded; members voted to forward the recommendation to the City Council. The Planning Commission's action is advisory and not binding on the council.

Next steps: the item will proceed to the City Council for final action under the city's annexation and deannexation procedures and applicable state law.