Planning commission approves subdivision near Happy Hollow, residents ask about nearby wells

The Trussville Planning & Zoning Commission on Aug. 12 approved a final shortfall subdivision plat that combines four parcels into two lots between Happy Hollow Road and Deerfoot Parkway. A commissioner moved to approve the plan as submitted and the motion passed after a second.

Residents who spoke during the public involvement portion said they were uncertain what “cleaning up the map” meant and asked whether the change would let the city or utilities place commercial uses near nearby wells. A resident who gave an address at 6965 Happy Hollow Road asked, “What does transferring it to the city? Tell us what they’re gonna do with the property,” and the commission and staff responded that the commission is not changing zoning and that the utilities department sought to own a parcel around wells to protect water infrastructure.

Staff described the land split as a boundary adjustment that would allow the utilities department to control property immediately around some wells; the commission closed the public involvement meeting after questions and voted to approve the subdivision. Commissioners also agreed a staff member would follow up to provide residents with more precise information on the wells’ locations.

The approval was a final action by the planning commission; the change does not alter the property’s zoning designation, commissioners said.