By Blake Deshazo

The Selma Times-Journal

The city of Selma Planning Board gave its approval Tuesday to rezone nine acres of land near the city marina from R-75 zoning to M-1 zoning as long as the landowners, Sunbelt of Alabama LLC Series 40, abide by certain restrictions.

The vote came about a month after citizens voiced concerns about what Sunbelt intended to use the land for during a Planning Board meeting in early December.

“The primary thing was this property was zoned R-75, which is single-family residential,” said James McNeil, an attorney representing the concerned citizens. “The people in the area, as well as other people, were concerned that with the character of the zoning being changed that it could increase the traffic flow in that area.”

McNeil said the area is mainly used for recreation with several parks and walking trails in the nearby area.

“Since that is primarily a recreation area with Bloch Park, the walking trail, the playgrounds, the softball fields, and all of that, it would increase traffic in that area, which would create a problem.”

McNeil said residents in the area were concerned that M-1 zoning would allow multi-family housing to be built such as apartments, condominiums, or low rent housing.

John Pilcher, an attorney who represents the landowners, said they plan to use the land to expand an already existing storage facility for boats located on Marina Drive.

“My client had no intention of building multi-family housing of any type,” Pilcher said.

Between the December meeting and Tuesday’s meeting, McNeil and Pilcher worked out an agreement for the rezoning that would assure citizens of no multi-family homes being built.

The agreement placed restrictions on the rezoning that would not allow the landowners to build multi-family housing on the nine acres of land.

“Mr. McNeil and I worked through whatever issues there were,” Pilcher said. “This ought to be a positive step for the city, and I think everybody, by agreeing to it, acknowledges and agrees to that.”

McNeil said the citizens he represented were satisfied with the arrangement he and Pilcher put together.

“Mr. Pilcher and I were able to work out this agreement so that there is the restriction as far as the use of the property that there will be no multi-family uses,” McNeil said. “That was satisfactory with the people in the area and the folks who were concerned about the future development.”

Pilcher said the landowners are also happy with the decision.

“It is progress for the town, and the people in our community need expanded facilities,” Pilcher said. “We think it will be a positive arrangement.”

The rezoning will now move on to the Selma City Council for final approval.