By Megan Miller, Editor
TRUSSVILLE — The most heated debate at Tuesday’s Trussville City Council meeting was over an ordinance to allow O’Reilly Auto Parts to move next to the Tutwiler Farm subdivision.
via Tutwiler Farms HOA
An estimated half of this week’s meeting attendees were residents who were in disagreement with a commercial property moving in so close to their subdivision. The intended site was to be on Highway 11 at Trussville Executive Park, where according to Lee Jackson with Butler Properties in Athens, Georgia, the nearest home to the site would be 1000 feet away.
“All requirements and restrictions have been reviewed and will be strictly adhered to,” said Jackson. The store intended to operate from 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m., which were adjusted hours from the initial indication that the location would be open 24 hours a day.
According to Council President Montalto, when the issue came before the Planning and Zoning Committee, they recommended denial before the Council.
Before the public hearing on the matter came up, Councilman Alan Taylor said he would be abstaining from both the discussion and the vote.
“I’m not abstaining because I’m a resident of Tutwiler, but because I have a relative that’s part owner in the lot itself,” said Taylor. “I want my neighbors to know I’m not just ignoring this, I think it’s the right thing to do.”
Property owner Jerry Tortorigi said there are underground storm drains on the property, which you’re unable to build on, but it is an acceptable surface for parking.
“It’s all brick, I think it would tie in to what they’re doing across the street,” said Tortorigi. “There’s properties across the street also zoned as C2.”
Tutwiler Home Owner’s Association Bob Lowery said that there’s been a lot of activity in and around the subdivision over the last year, but that he didn’t think Tortorigi practiced “due diligence” in knowing what was under the property he purchased.
“That’s Trussville Executive Park, not Trussville Auto Park,” said Lowery. “I would like to remind the Council that this is part of the transition district coming into downtown Trussville. I want to know a difference when I come out of Birmingham and into Trussville, and in front of an executive building is not the place for this.”
Other residents expressed concerns with the influx of traffic that would be inevitable from people turning around in their neighborhood or coming on and off of Highway 11, so close to the entrance to the subdivision.
When it came time to vote, Montalto said he understood the concerns of the residents, as the development is on the same side of Highway 11 as the neighborhood.
“It certainly puts a different light on the situation, rather than being across Highway 11,” said Montalto.
Councilman Bryan Plant moved for unanimous consent, and all council members denied moving forward with the project.
“It’s not that we’re against development, but we feel like you’ve encroached way too much on our neighborhood,” said Barbra Harrison, resident of Tutwiler Farm.
34 Comments
Judy Morrow Rice
Good for the Tutwiler community
Judy Morrow Rice
Good for the Tutwiler community
Spencer Self
Lol wow
Cyle King
Chris Hollingsworth
Justin Williamson
Oh oh oh
Brian Wells
Typical Trussville
Jacob Allen Hudson
Typical Trussville… We don’t want anyone here but fast food and chains
Matt Hollis
Hwy 11 gets uglier by the day.
Leah Scharf
I’ve been hoping for an O’Reilly….said no one ever.
I wish the Chamber of Commerce would focus on bringing larger businesses to industrial park instead of ‘fundraising’.
I’m ready for change and I’m ready for quality & very selective retail that enhances the area for the long haul.
Maybe the Trussville Tribune could start posting the filmed meetings online for everyone to see what is going on and be informed? The city council and boards do a fantastic job. With encouragement, interaction and participation from the community Trussville can be an even better place! GET INVOLVED folks!
Lynn Cleveland
Seriously? I think that horse has already left the barn.
Tim Davis
As a resident of Tutwiler I don’t want more development around our entrance !
Ryan Gunnells
I remember Tutwiler being the jewel of Trussville when I was a kid. What’s next? Title pawn on the other side? Lol
Richard Self
You do realize what’s going across the street now right?
Tim Davis
I know ! It’s going to cause a delay at our light ! I’m not against development as long as increased traffic is taken into consideration !
DeAndra Price
My parents are going to stroke and or move from Tutwiler. Lol
Chris Clark
Never thought they would ok a strip mall in front of TW.
Jimmy Stidham
I remember the time when trussville wanted and needed a tax base! Always use traffic as reasons of turn down. Where can you go now with out being in traffic? Did you know that this parts store could file suite ! It is a legal business and they would win in court.
Kay Fochtmann Mickel
I’m not sure how they can legally deny them either. You can’t deny businesses just because…
Dennis Blass
Is that close to the Kia store?
Leah Scharf
LOL….Kia store is next
Ian Maddox
City council meetings are open to the public.
Ian Maddox
I am truly conflicted about all that is going on and do care enough to attend meetings. I would also like to move (or consolidate) business in Trussville.
Michael Quinby
Thank goodness! Highway 11 is becoming 280! I hate it!
Leah Scharf
Ian Maddox I feel like I have met you. Did you come in Cafe On Main in Oneonta in the past couple of years?
Ian Maddox
Sure, I’ve been there. It’s been a while though.
Jamie C. Hacker
Look at the parking lot of Westminster Presbyterian Church next to the cemetery—lots of Kia’s lined up there?
Leah Scharf
Ian Maddox I remember talking to you and you saying you would like to get involved in Trussville and move business here. You would be great!
Tom Hamm
If the good people of Tutwiler Farms do not wish to have a parts store near the entrance to their subdivision, the simple answer is for them to purchase as much of the property around their entrance as they deem aesthetically pleasing and plant shrubbery on it.
Steven Reynolds
Typical Trussville — as I clutch my pearls I decided I only want Saks or chico Gucci or Louie vutton wake up folks its good for the community but how dare someone try to better it
Janice Gafnea Gallagher
We don’t need anymore AUTO anything in Trussville. This place needs improved by interesting businesses people are wanting here.
Gwendolyn Wardlow
Isnt there already a title pawn next to Enterprise?
Jake Franklin
I wouldn’t want an O’riley near my neighborhood who would want that terrible little jingle popping in their head every time you went home.
Skyler Williams
You son of a bitch
Christy Hodgson Long
I feel like Trussville is just starting to become another Roebuck with all of the wishy washy crap stores on the side of Hwy 11. It’s Roebuck Parkway all over again!