By Loyd McIntosh, For The Tribune
IRONDALE – Several Irondale citizens descended upon City Hall to voice opposition to a controversial rezoning plan Tuesday night.
During the public comment portion of Irondale’s regular city council meeting, the City Council heard from residents in favor of and opposed to a plan to rezone property at 5238 Amber Hills Road, Irondale, Alabama 35210, from R-2 residential to an I-1 Light Industrial District.
The plan would allow for the relocation of B&D Electric Motor from its current location on 4th Avenue South in downtown Birmingham to a new building on Amber Hills.
Speakers in favor of the plan included several members of the Jones family – Barry, Craig, and Wesley Jones – owners of the property B&D Electric Motor and citizens of Irondale residing on Monroe Drive. Despite an allocation of two-minutes to address the council, each person kept his comments brief stating their name and address – all on Monroe Drive – and then stating they are for the rezoning.
In response, almost a dozen residents of Amber Hills spoke in opposition to the proposal, voicing their concerns about the potential reduction in property values, environmental impact, and overall disruption to their way of life. Two citizens opposed to the proposal, Wayne Fleming and Mary Sherer, came with prepared presentations to make their case.
“In the former council meeting on this issue, I presented details on how the Blueprint Irondale on both current and future use maps showed the use of the property as residential,” said Fleming, referring to the City of Irondale’s growth and infrastructure plan released in 2021. “Also, I again quote the blueprint, ‘It is not the intent of the plan to place existing usage in a situation where their value or the quality of life of residents is adversely affected.’”
“In addition, I recall efforts in another council meeting that emphasized the blueprint’s intention to avoid ‘spot zoning,’” added Fleming. “Approval of this proposal does not appear to follow that precedent.”
Sherer, who has a background in banking and finance, specifically mergers and acquisitions, addressed the council, questioning whether B&D Motors would be properly zoned on Amber Hills Road. Additionally, Sherer brought to the council’s attention alleged citations from the Birmingham Fire Department and the Birmingham Water Works Board for violations regarding the improper handling of hazardous and flammable material.
Sherer spent the remainder of her time displaying photos of B&D’s current facility in Birmingham with debris, uncovered oil receptacles and other hazards. She also pointed out that Amber Hills is located downhill from B&D’s property and the possibility of runoff from the business as well as the fact that residents would be forced to view the backside of the building from their homes.
“B&D is a good company, but we don’t agree that anything industrial should be put up on the hill above us,” said Sherer after the conclusion of the meeting. “It’s got hazardous, flammable and explosive material inside. I’m not saying that it’s not properly stored and properly hauled. Nevertheless, there is a chance that it could ignite, that it could spill, and it’s up the hill, they’re on septic tank, so it’s coming down the hill at us.”
The Irondale City Council approved the reading of the resolution and is scheduled to vote on the proposal in the next meeting on Tuesday, May 30. The proposal would allow B&D Electric Motors to build a new facility on Amber Hills Road with customer access from Alton Road.
The discussion overshadowed what was a fairly upbeat meeting in which Irondale Mayor James Stewart recognized three area students, Dian Valles Rio, Khloe Murray and Janry Barajas, who took part in the Mayor For A Day program. On Tuesday, May 16, the three students had the opportunity to shadow Mayor Stewart as he visited several city facilities, including the police station, fire station and the senior center.
Additionally, the City Council approved the donation of a 1998 Freightliner fire engine to the Dancy-Cochran Volunteer Fire Department, which recently lost its building and vehicles in a fire.
In other news:
The City Council approved donations to Jefferson County Schools in Irondale including:
– $44,500 to Shades Valley High School for educational purposes
– $19,500 to Irondale Middle School for educational purposes.
– $19,000 to Irondale Community School for educational purposes. (City)
– $17,000 to Grantswood Community School for educational purposes. (City)
– $14,480 to the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School
The City Council approved service agreements with the Cahaba River Society, Inc. in the amount of $25,000 and Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition, Inc. in the amount of $50,000.