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Columbiana schedules Barnes rezoning hearing; manager reports large donations, playground plans and records purge
Summary
City Manager Lance told the council on Dec. 16 that the Barnes land rezone was approved by Planning Commission and a public hearing will be held Jan. 20, 2026; he also reported two estate donations described as $98,000 each for the K‑9 unit and EMS, a scheduled playground demolition and pickup event, and a citywide records-shredding effort.
City Manager Lance updated the Columbiana City Council on Dec. 16, 2025, saying the Planning Commission approved a proposed zone change for the Barnes land and that the council set a public hearing for Jan. 20, 2026, at 7:15 p.m.
Lance delivered a multi-topic status report covering recent and upcoming events, interagency meetings and capital work. He also described a large records-retention and shredding effort at City Hall, telling council that “the first round, we shredded 12,000 pounds,” and thanking staff who worked in cold weather to clear storage ahead of the planned move into new city hall space.
The manager said the city is partnering with Project Playground: crews will begin demolishing existing playground units “probably next Monday,” and equipment will arrive on three semis. The city will host a public pickup event for donor pickets on Jan. 24 at Birdfish, with a police escort for equipment delivery.
Lance reported two estate donations intended to benefit city safety programs and described both as $98,000 gifts — one for the K‑9 unit and another for EMS — saying the funds “are gonna help both of those programs.” He also noted ongoing work on water‑main repairs (a 12‑inch and a 6‑inch main) and coordination with a Route 14 road‑widening project for a replacement segment.
Other operational items included hiring a lineman in the electric department, upcoming Main Street box installations, two recent plow events, and police training submissions to OPATA for 2026. Lance told council civil service had completed a promotional test for a sergeant’s position and recommended forming a committee to help select candidates from the certified list.
Why it matters: The public hearing on the Barnes rezoning will offer residents a formal opportunity to comment on a land‑use change and potential new residential development. The donations and playground schedule affect public safety resources and parks access in the near term.
