By Terry Schrimscher, For the Tribune
IRONDALE – The Irondale City Council returned to consider unfinished business from May during the first regular meeting of the month, Tuesday night, June 6. At the May 16 meeting, Irondale residents who live near a property being considered for rezoning turned out in force to oppose the proposed ordinance.
The proposal, which was carried over from the May meeting, would have rezoned the lot located at 5238 Amber Hills Road from R-2 residential to an I-1 Light Industrial District. The redistricting was requested to allow the owners of B&D Electric Motor in Birmingham to relocate to the property in Irondale, building a new structure with access to the business from Alton Road.
Jerry South, an engineer speaking on behalf of business owners Barry, Craig, and Wesley Jones, was present to make an appeal to the Council.
“I-1 district is designated to allow for light manufacturing along with being near major transportation routes, which is the use of Alton Road,” South said. “This owner applicant desires to rezone a portion of the property that fronts Alton Road to I-1 light industrial. Alton Road is an industrial corridor and more compliant with the adjacent zonings of I-1.”
As in the May 16 reading of the proposal, many homeowners near the property spoke in opposition to the proposal. During the regular agenda, councilmember Box made a motion to approve the ordinance, which was seconded by councilmember Sims.
The proposed ordinance was defeated 3-2.
In the Mayor’s Report portion of the meeting, Mayor Stewart invited representatives from Ridez for A Reason and Crowd Control, organizers of the June 3 auto show, which raised more than $5,000 for youth sports in Irondale.
Mayor Stewart also invited members of Irondale Middle School Girls Track team to the podium. The girls team is the first middle school team from Irondale to win the district championship. Members of the boys team were also present. The boys finished second in the competition.
The Council also approved the following:
- $5,000 for Irondale Mounties Youth Sports LLC to a community youth football and cheerleading program
- A resolution to permit the Irondale Farmers and Makers Market on Saturdays
- An ordinance adding a Fire Investigation Division to city code, allowing firefighters who will be trained at a police academy to issue citations
The next meeting of the Irondale City Council will be held at 6 p.m., on June 20, at Irondale City Hall.