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Bessemer council sets weed‑nuisance hearing, approves three rezones and housing agreement
Summary
On April 21 the council set a weed‑nuisance hearing for May 19, approved three rezoning ordinances (3695, 3696, 3697), authorized a housing‑grant administration agreement with Navigate Affordable Housing Partners, Inc., and approved several routine resolutions and discretionary expenditures.
The City Council on April 21 set a May 19 hearing for an April 21 weed‑nuisance report listing 83 properties, and approved several rezoning ordinances and resolutions.
Sanitation and Ordinance Inspector Aleria Harper presented the weed‑nuisance report with requested corrections to addresses and asked the council to set a hearing. Councilor Donna Thigpen moved to set the hearing for May 19, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.; the motion carried unanimously.
Councilors approved three separate rezoning ordinances after public hearings. Ordinance No. 3695, filed by Maxus Construction for property at 120 Mordecai Lane to rezone from A‑1 to R‑5 Multi‑Family, was approved following public comment about traffic and notice; City Engineer Ron Gilbert said a required traffic study did not indicate negative impacts. Ordinance No. 3696, for 2068 Nixon Road (Eduardo & Paola Nill) to rezone from A‑1 to R‑2 Residential, and Ordinance No. 3697, for properties submitted by Lesly Carolina Mendez Chavez to rezone several parcels to I‑1 Light Industrial to allow a subdivision and warehouse, were both adopted after staff confirmation that applications were properly advertised and reviewed by Planning & Zoning.
The council also adopted Resolution No. 191‑26 authorizing the city to enter an agreement with Navigate Affordable Housing Partners, Inc. to assist in implementation of the Emergency Housing Grant Program using Community Development Block Grant funds. Community Development Director Dr. Charlena Morton said about 50 elderly or disabled residents were assisted last year and 50 new residents have already been identified for the program.
Other actions included setting a public hearing on a zoning text amendment for May 19, adopting a resolution allowing Councilor Carla Jackson to use a city meeting room for a maternal and mental health symposium on May 16 (Resolution No. 192‑26), and authorizing reimbursement up to $1,000 from District Five discretionary funds for teacher appreciation events (Resolution No. 193‑26).
The meeting also included routine proclamations, awards, and community announcements; council adjourned after citizens raised concerns about Polara Lane flooding.
