SUMMERDALE, Ala. — Summerdale is one step closer to having a large cross located in its municipality.

During its regular meeting Monday, the Summerdale Town Council approved the rezoning of land set aside for the Gulf Coast Cross Project from AO-1, or agricultural, to B-2, or business.

That vote followed a public hearing in which town leaders asked Project Founder/Chairman Jon S. Butler of Summerdale a variety of questions that ranged from fundraising and regulation compliance to the timeframe of the project.

Butler explained that the Engel family donated 4.1 acres off County Road 73 for the project. On that land, Butler plans to erect a cross that will stand 23 stories high.

“We’re building the tallest cross in the Western Hemisphere,” Gulf Coast Cross Project Founder/Chairman Jon S. Butler told the Council. “It’s wonderful.”

The cross is anticipated to be uplit and be the focal point of a park that will house a welcome center, stage, picnic tables and monuments containing Bible passages.

“You should be able to see this from Foley Beach Express and Highway 59,” Summerdale Mayor David Wilson told the audience.

Wilson then posed a question about the logistics of the project.

“You do have your 501C-3 status?” he asked Butler.

“We just got that 30 days ago,” Butler replied, adding that the status should help with raising funds for the $500,000 project.

Wilson then asked whether paperwork was in order to comply with federal regulations for such a tall structure.

“Do you have your F.A.A. (Federal Aviation Administration) clearance?” the mayor asked.

Butler confirmed that he did.

Council members also asked about the stability of such a structure.

“Bob Engel has some concerns that it would fall on his house,” Wilson said.

To which Butler explained that the cross would be anchored into a 60-foot deep hole.

“It would have to be an F5 direct hit,” he said of force needed to topple the cross.

Councilwoman Cheryl Wallace Stewart then posed questions about dangers associated with the existing state of the property.

“Are you not concerned about the swamp and snakes?” she asked.

Butler said those issues would be addressed.

Wallace also asked how the cross and park would be maintained.

“We have a board,” Butler said, adding that committees put together by the board would address different aspects of the park’s ongoing maintenance.

He added that the cross, itself, would need to be repainted every 10 to 15 years.

“A crane would need to be brought in,” Butler said.

The project chairman added that some construction services have already been donated and that construction on the welcome center is anticipated to begin this fall once crops that are currently on the land are harvested.

“I have a donation from someone,” Councilwoman Norma Wilson Giles said, handing Butler an envelope.