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Columbiana council enacts stricter rules for data centers, updates floodplain code and accepts county radio equipment agreement
Summary
The Columbiana City Council unanimously approved a zoning amendment adding standards for junkyards and data centers, adopted a periodic FEMA-aligned floodplain update, and authorized a memorandum of agreement with Shelby County to replace fire department radios.
Columbiana’s City Council on Feb. 26 adopted a package of land-use and public-safety measures, approving a zoning amendment to add special exceptions and technical standards for junkyards and data centers, a required floodplain-development update to maintain FEMA compliance, and a memorandum of agreement with Shelby County to replace city fire radios.
The actions were taken after the council voted to suspend the usual multi-reading rule so both ordinances could be enacted on a single reading. Mayor Lisa A. Davis described Ordinance 02-26-03 as “proactive,” saying the update adds more restrictive provisions and technical requirements — dimensional standards, landscape buffers and screening, noise and vibration limits, water and sewer and power-supply considerations, and emergency-management measures — intended to guide any future data center or junkyard proposals in Columbiana. The council approved that ordinance unanimously.
A separate measure, Ordinance 02-26-04, updates the city’s floodplain-development regulations to conform with FEMA requirements and to reduce public and private losses from flooding; the mayor characterized it as a routine but necessary periodic update. The council approved the floodplain ordinance unanimously on single reading.
Council members next approved Resolution 02-26-05, authorizing the mayor to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Shelby County Commission to transfer and replace radios and accessories onto the countywide 911 radio system for the city’s fire department. The resolution passed after a roll-call vote; at least one council member, Lilly, recorded a verbal “Yes” during the roll call and the item was announced as approved. Officials at the meeting thanked Shelby County for the investment and for providing equipment support to city public-safety operations.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance 02-26-03 (amend Zoning Ordinance No. 215: add provisions for junkyards and data centers): approved (single reading, unanimous). - Ordinance 02-26-04 (floodplain development update to comply with FEMA): approved (single reading, unanimous). - Resolution 02-26-05 (memorandum of agreement with Shelby County for radio transfers — fire): approved (roll-call; at least one vocal yes recorded).
What happens next: The text of Ordinance 02-26-03 will be posted online after enactment; staff will implement the updated floodplain standards as required by FEMA; the mayor is authorized to sign the MOA with Shelby County to complete the radio replacement and accessory transfers.
