By Terry Schrimscher, For the Tribune
ARGO – The City of Argo took the next step forward in addressing future growth when applicants for the city’s new Planning and Zoning Commission were introduced to the City Council at the March 27 meeting. The Council passed an ordinance at the February 27 meeting creating a Planning and Zoning Commission for the city.
Argo City Seal
Mayor Betty Bradley called the name of each of the 24 applicants and invited each one to speak to the Council to introduce themselves and talk about their desire to serve on the commission.
Most of the applicants who were present expressed a desire for controlled growth in the city, but a few elaborated on specific concerns for the future and the work that needs to be done by the board.
“Argo is just a bunch of houses that were put up over the years, over the past 20-something years. And now, we’re in damage control,” said applicant Howard Hartley. “Anything that is done with zoning and planning would be positive.”
The city created a comprehensive plan in 2022, which can be viewed online at www.argoalive.com. According to the data in the plan, Argo grew 145% during the 20-year span between 2000 and 2020, making it one of the fastest growing towns in the Birmingham metro area.
Once appointed, members of the board will be required to attend certification training sessions. Applicants will be considered for the planning and zoning board and a zoning and adjustments board.
A special public meeting has been scheduled for April 18, at 6 p.m., specifically to discuss zoning based on the Argo Comprehensive Plan.
In the public comments portion of the meeting, residents of the Briar Ridge neighborhood spoke to the Council about deteriorating road conditions in the community.
“The dire situation that we have is there is a four-foot diameter plastic pipe underneath our road,” said Briar Ridge resident Andrew Stevenson. “It has failed. With all these school buses coming in, with all these garbage trucks coming in, and also we have an individual who lives in a trailer at the end of our neighborhood — who is not supposed to be having a trailer in the first place — constantly brings his heavy equipment across that pipe. Each and every day, it deteriorates.”
Residents of the neighborhood complained of steep drop offs endangering school buses, potholes and limited access for neighbors in the community. They expressed fear that the roads could erode stranding elderly neighbors who would be unable to access medical care. Stevenson said estimates to bring the road up to code could reach $1 million.
Residents of Briar Ridge, Mountain Oaks and other neighborhoods have previously asked the city to intervene and help correct mistakes made by previous administrations when there were no measures in place to ensure work was done correctly.
“We now have bonds in place that developers have to put up when they start a new subdivisions,” Bradley told The Trussville Tribune. “These bonds are to complete roads if the developers bankrupt or do not complete roads in their subdivisions.”
One resident, who did not want to share his name, said, “We moved here because we love the area and it isn’t our fault the roads are in decay. I know it’s not this council’s fault either but we just want to know they are looking for answers.”
Bradley said she and the Council are working with other mayors in St. Clair County to request a portion of the gas tax to apply toward these road concerns. She also told The Trussville Tribune the city is applying for grants to help repair the roads.
The Council also approved the following items:
– New signage for Central Baptist Church
– New hires for maintenance and a part-time city clerk
The Council tabled a request to makes changes to a promissory note for the former Crazy Horse restaurant location at 8885 Gadsden Hwy. Developers are planning to create a gym, children’s play gym and office space in the former restaurant. The building once served as a fire station and City Hall for Argo.
The next meeting of the Argo City Council will be April 10. The meeting begins immediately following the 5 p.m. work session. City Hall will be closed on April 6 for magistrate training.
