LOXLEY, Ala. — The Loxley City Council held a meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday this week. The Council began addressing items on the agenda by opening a public hearing. There were three different properties brought before the Council, which were seeking amendments to current Loxley zoning ordinances.

The first of said properties was that of Suzanne Alaei, located on Highway 59 South, who was represented at the hearing by George Davis of Geographic Solutions Inc. He stated that the rezoning request had received a positive recommendation from the Planning Commission and that it matched the existing zoning in that particular area. There were no further comments or recommendations from any parties present. In order to pass this and other ordinances the rules had to be suspended. The Mayor motioned to suspend rules and the motion carried. The Council voted in favor of passing this ordinance with one abstention.

The Council then proceeded on to the next property, that of Delores Corte, which was requested to be changed from a R-1A designation to a B-1. There was no one present to represent the Corte family. There was, however, comments from other attendees. David Stanley, a nearby resident spoke out against the rezoning, saying, “I think we have enough businesses on that street since it was changed a long time ago to residential. Shortly after it was zoned residential, there were five new houses on those pieces of property. If it’s changed to a commercial zone, I think it will kill the growth of the neighborhood.”

The next resident to oppose the rezoning was Tod Kaiser. He stated that his house recently burned to the ground but was rebuilt in the same spot because that location was “home” for over 16 years. He also stated that their property is the only home his children have ever known, and he didn’t want zoning changes damaging the integrity of their home by having businesses located next door.

When no other opposition or comments were heard the Council then proceeded to the hearing for the property of Andy Bertolla. Bertolla was present on his own behalf. “My property,” he said, “and the area around it has never been zoned commercial, but it has been commercial long prior to the zoning of Loxley. The fire station and a fertilizer company lie adjacent to the property and I'm about a block from the Post Office and about the same distance from the Police Station and drug store. I think if Loxley needed an area to grow it’s commercial community, I think that area would be one of the better choices for the Town of Loxley. As of now it’s pretty well limited to the Highway. 59 corridor, which isn’t really that desirable for a lot of smaller businesses like lawyers, dentists, etc. We’re not talking about anything really industrial or any smoke-stack type operations. The area itself has actually been commercial for around 80 years now, so it’s nothing new.”

After no further comments were heard, public hearing discussions were closed. Councilman Richard Teal motioned to table the topics of the Corte and Bertolla properties until the Council had reviewed the Planning Commission’s projections. Also on the agenda were the Council’s approval of bills for payment. No questions or concerns were voiced in regard to said bills, and the Mayor made a motion to approve the monthly bills for payment. This motion was carried, and the Council voted unanimously to pay the bills.

Audrey Campbel, a representative of the Central Baldwin Middle School Cheerleading Team and four fully outfitted cheerleaders (Meredith Campbell, McKenzie Veller, Katie Workman and Paige Ellison) then took the podium. They came before the Council with a request for sponsorship. The team won first prize to attend a national competition in Orlando, Fla.

The approximate cost to attend is $9,962. So far they have raised $4,250 of that amount independently and are continuing to do so. Last year, the Loxley City Council donated approximately $500 to the squad. They plan to leave for competition on Feb. 8, assuming everything comes together accordingly. They also get to cheer at the GMAC Bowl next month. The Council heard a motion to grant this request, then voted unanimously to sponsor the team.

Next on the agenda was a resolution to award the construction contract for a new sewer lift station for the Town of Loxley to the lowest responsible bidder, Ballcon Inc., in the amount of $186,305. Councilman Wally Sabin voted to accept the bid for the new lift station. This motion carried and was voted unanimously upon by the Council.

Also on the agenda was a contract for engineering services for pedestrian sidewalk improvements. Teal motioned to accept the contract and it was then unanimously approved by the Council.

At this time, the Council allowed the floor open to any other business matters to be discussed. Loxley Police Chief Chip Cason then stood and addressed the Council on the department's desire to sent two officers to the academy for further training. Teal motioned to approve this request and the Council voted unanimously in favor.

With that, discussions came to a close. There will be no Loxley City Council work session on Dec. 24. As a reminder, the Town of Loxley Annual Christmas Party will be held at the Loxley Civic Center at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec.14.