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Residents, school principal urge commissioners to deny rezoning for proposed gas station near Naomi Elementary
Summary
Parents, a school principal and Naomi-area residents told Walker County commissioners that rezoning 15.46 acres on Highway 151 for commercial use would threaten student safety, increase traffic and stormwater runoff; neighbors asked the board to deny the applicant’s request or require stronger buffers.
A group of Naomi-area residents and school officials urged the Walker County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 5 to reject a request to rezone 15.46 acres on Highway 151 from agricultural to neighborhood commercial, saying a proposed convenience store or truck stop would pose safety, traffic and environmental risks to Naomi Elementary and nearby homes.
Christie Casey, principal of the elementary school next to the property, told the board she greets children daily and that introducing commercial truck traffic “raises profound safety concerns.” She said increased heavy vehicles, diesel fumes and overnight operations would harm air quality and the calm necessary for learning and asked the commissioners to deny the rezoning. “A truck stop next to an elementary school is not compatible with the mission of education,” Casey said.
Residents described a dangerous intersection and stormwater runoff that currently affects their yards. Doug Hedgewood, speaking for Naomi Baptist Church, said churchgoers were “totally against” a store across from the church because of traffic, noise, fuel deliveries and children crossing to buy items. Myron Richardson, a nearby homeowner, said a creek runs through the property and worried that development could increase runoff onto his land.
Supporters of the rezoning, including the property owner and an advocate for new jobs, argued the project could create local employment and that the buyer had proposed mitigation such as a buffer and using the entrance from Highway 151 rather than 136. Paul Guillory said the development could bring opportunities for “people like me” and their children.
Commissioners paused public comment to allow additional speakers and ultimately voted to table the Joan Brown petition (rezoning for 6280 Highway 151) for up to 60 days to the April meeting to allow documentation of any planning-commission stipulations and to give the board time to review facts.
Why it matters: The parcel sits adjacent to Naomi Elementary and a church, and residents and the school principal said the existing circulation and safety conditions make high-intensity commercial uses inappropriate. The board’s decision to table the item keeps the petition active while staff and applicants provide more details and possible conditions.
What’s next: The board said it may place the item on the March agenda if the requested documentation and stipulations are available; otherwise it will consider it no later than April.
