By Megan Miller, Editor
TRUSSVILLE – During Tuesday’s Trussville City Council meeting, rezoning property from agricultural to commercial was a substantial item on the agenda.
3661 Vann Road was the piece of property rezoned form agricultural to commercial property.
The Planning and Zoning Board recommended that the City Council approve the change, based on a few restrictive exclusions, including there being a 30 foot buffer between the back of the Tutwiler Farm properties and the commercial property.
A portion of the property backs up to the Tutwiler Farm subdivision, and although one resident of Tutwlier expressed concern at the lack of space between the two properties, the Council unanimously approved the change.
Matthew Wright, a representative for the property, said that due to a significant slope from the back of Tutwlier to the property, he estimates there will be closer to 50 feet of space in between the newly zoned commercial property and the residences.
Other residents, as well as Council President Anthony Montalto, said they are confident that Ms. Bonahm, who will control the property, will do right by the residents of Tutwiler.
“She’s been very gracious,” Montalto said. “She lives in that neighborhood, and she doesn’t want to cause any harm. I trust whatever she does will not be displeasing to the neighbors.”
Another item of business during the meeting was releasing funds from the Education Trust Fund for various costs accrued by Trussville City Schools.
According to Councilman Alan Taylor, the school board first requests to withdraw funds, and that requires joint resolution between the Trussville City Schools Board of Education, and the Trussville City Council.
Because TCS is opening two new elementary schools this year, Taylor said there are some up front costs associated with that process, however, the State of Alabama will reimburse the school system at the end of the first school year.
Additionally the baseball field is in need of new lighting, and that is where additional funds withdrawn from the education trust will go.
“We don’t have the proper things we need there, it was done years ago and most of it was donated, including labor,” Taylor said.
The council unanimously approved the release of the funds to TCS.