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Council approves 598 Dunlop Drive rezoning amid resident protests over traffic and drainage
Summary
After extended public comment, Opelika City Council approved rezoning 598 Dunlop Drive (21.11 acres) from R1 to a mix of R2 and R3 on a 3–2 recorded vote; residents cited traffic safety, lack of sidewalks and drainage concerns while planners said a revised plan would route traffic to a planned signal at Dunlop.
The Opelika City Council on April 7 approved a rezoning for 598 Dunlop Drive (21.11 acres) from R1 to a combination of R2 and R3 after extended public comment and a recorded vote.
Planning staff presented the request and said it affects a series of proposed lots that would tie into the recently approved Waverly Woods subdivision. Matt Mosley, planning staff, told the council the Planning Commission gave a split negative recommendation on the zoning change but did approve the subdivision plat subject to final council action. He emphasized that a revised proposal would route much of the new traffic to Dunlop Drive where the city plans a traffic signal and roadway improvements.
Neighboring residents testified at length. Buddy Bruce (505 White Road) said he withdrew his earlier formal opposition after meeting the developer and accepting some compromises, but other speakers urged the council to block the rezoning. Residents raised repeated concerns about traffic volume on narrow local streets, the lack of sidewalks (forcing people — including many elderly residents — to walk in the roadway), drainage and flood risk on low lots, and the character of the neighborhood. "We're asking that you please abide by the moratorium you passed earlier... and please vote against the rezoning until we know exactly what will be built in our backyards," one speaker said.
Developer representative Brandon Rice told the council the currently approved plat calls for single‑family dwellings with buffers and sidewalks and argued the approved plan would be built if zoning were denied. Rice said the newer proposal aims to shift traffic to Dunlop, which would connect to a signalized intersection and relieve pressure on White Road.
Council members discussed process and timing. Staff noted state rules and local practice can make plat approvals effective if not acted on within statutory windows; Mosley said the council would need to act before an upcoming moratorium (effective in May) if the developer wanted the new configuration processed now.
The council recorded the vote on the Dunlop rezoning ordinance at second reading: Holmes Aye; Whatley Nay; Beams Aye; Rauch Aye; Allen Nay. The ordinance carried 3–2.
Next steps: With the zoning change approved, the revised development layout that routes traffic to Dunlop and the planned signal becomes the pathway for construction and subdivision approvals; staff noted that subdivision standards, buffering and sidewalks will be part of subsequent plat and construction reviews and that another rezoning for the same property cannot be filed within 12 months under the subdivision regulations staff described.
