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Commissioner urges faster business‑license processing, review of permitted uses in Gardendale
Summary
Commissioner Alvin Currington asked the commission to streamline the business‑license workflow to avoid months‑long delays and recommended revising CP and C‑1 permitted uses to move certain businesses (smoke/vape shops, tattoo parlors, hemp dispensaries) to C‑2; Chairman Fields warned a state bill on contractor licensing could cut municipal revenue.
Commissioner Alvin Currington told the Gardendale Planning & Zoning Commission on April 9 that the city’s business‑license process is delaying openings and should be changed so Inspection Services verifies zoning at application intake rather than holding license issuance pending multiple inspections.
"It is taking way too long to get the license issued," Currington said, adding that completed applications are often held for weeks and sometimes delayed "up to two months" while schedules are coordinated for inspections. He proposed that, when a business license application is filed, Inspection Services should first confirm the business conforms with zoning; if it does, the process should proceed without waiting on routine inspections unless construction or building work requires a permit.
Currington also asked the board to review permitted uses in the CP and C‑1 zoning districts to better identify and, where appropriate, restrict locations for businesses such as smoke shops, vape shops, tattoo parlors and hemp dispensaries so those uses would be placed in the heavier commercial C‑2 district, away from residential neighborhoods (Tarrant Road was cited as an example).
Chairman Jack Fields added concern about pending state legislation affecting contractor business licensing, saying the Alabama League of Municipalities is opposing a Senate bill that would limit municipal licensing revenue derived from contractors. Fields said Pelham has estimated a revenue loss of "$600,000 to $750,000" under the proposed change.
No formal motion or ordinance change was recorded; Currington said he will work with Secretary Regina Graham and staff to determine whether the proposed process change must return to the commission for action or can be handled administratively. The matter was discussed but not decided at the meeting.
Proper names appearing in the discussion include the City of Gardendale Inspection Services Department, the Alabama League of Municipalities, the Mayor's Association, and Tarrant Road.
