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Gadsden City Council approves rezoning, street renaming, Alabama Power easement and updates lodging‑tax rules
Summary
At its July 14 meeting the Gadsden City Council adopted a multi‑parcel rezoning ordinance, approved renaming South 11th Street to Mint Boulevard, granted an easement to Alabama Power for a pavilion at Knock Little Falls, amended the lodging‑tax exemption to match state law (90 days) effective Oct. 1, and approved a license agreement for the Lantern Festival.
The Gadsden City Council on July 14 adopted a set of routine but significant actions: a multi‑parcel rezoning ordinance, a street‑renaming resolution, an easement for Alabama Power, an administrative amendment to the lodging‑tax exemption to match state law, and a license agreement for this year’s Lantern Festival.
The council voted to adopt an ordinance rezoning multiple parcels from Traditional Residential (TR) to Neighborhood Center (NC) across several blocks of Forest Avenue, South 7th–11th streets, Chestnut Street, Walnut and College streets, Berea Avenue, Hope Street and others. The planning commission and city staff recommended the change; the chair called the voice vote and announced the motion carried.
Councilwoman Menacher introduced a resolution to rename South 11th Street (beginning at Norris Avenue) as Mint Boulevard extending into the old steel‑plant property; the council immediately considered the item and approved the renaming by voice vote.
Councilman Robinson presented a resolution from the legal department granting an easement to Alabama Power Company to service a pavilion at Knock Little Falls; the council approved the easement to allow utility work to proceed.
Councilman Wilson presented a technical ordinance amending Chapter 74 to change the lodging‑tax continuous‑stay exemption from 30 days to 90 days to align with state law; he said the change is administrative and will take effect Oct. 1. The council suspended the rules for immediate consideration and adopted the amendment.
Wilson also introduced a resolution approving a license agreement between Kaleido Arts and Entertainment Group LLC (doing business as KAEG) and Nokalula Falls to host the Lantern Festival. City staff explained the financial terms: the vendor will reimburse the city $65,000 for the labor of ticket collection, pay up to $12,000 for power, and the city will receive 15% of ticket revenue. The council suspended rules and approved the agreement.
Votes at the meeting were taken by voice and the chair announced each motion carried; the transcript records unanimous "aye" responses and no recorded opposing votes for these items.
What this means: The rezoning clears the way for potential development across multiple blocks identified in the ordinance; the lodging‑tax amendment aligns municipal code with state law and goes into effect Oct. 1; and the Lantern Festival agreement formalizes the city’s financial arrangement with the vendor for this year’s event.
The council then moved to departmental reports and public comment.
