MAGNOLIA SPRINGS, Ala. — Cougill Avenue in Magnolia Springs could be paved sometime soon.

During Tuesday’s regular meeting, the Magnolia Springs Town Council voted 4-2 to get prices for such a project, while keeping the road at 14 feet wide. The action stipulated that signage and speed bumps would also be included.

The vote came upon Cougill resident Virginia Stone’s request to repair the road’s potholes during the Feburary Council Workshop,

Mayor Ken Underwood and Councilman Tom Webb cast the dissenting votes on the project. The vote was taken after considerable discussion among the Council and from attending town residents.

One resident speaking against the paving was Richard Holk, who referenced the town’s comprehensive plan.

“The plan said the local streets should stay as they are,” he told the Council.

Holk said paving Cougill would make it an impervious surface.

“When we create an impervious surface, were does the water go?” he asked.

Holk also said that while the issue of drainage from street runoff has been discussed, he had not heard the issue of retainage addressed.

“I think due to the topography of the town, everything goes into the Magnolia River,” he said.

In his objections to paving Cougill, Holk told the Council that the town residents had been invited to be part of developing the comprehensive plan.

“If you’re voting to pave Cougill Street, you’re voting to ignore this document,” he said.

Councilman Jim May pointed out that residents of Cougill had come to the Council and requested for the road to be paved. But Holk said he didn’t think a small group should outweigh the more than 80 people who worked on the comprehensive plan.

“I would hope the Council would give consideration to the amount of work that went into the comprehensive plan,” he said.

“Are you representing the majority of the people of the town?” Councilman Ben Dykema asked Holk. “You’re talking like you’re representing this town.”

But Holk did suggest other surface selections for covering Cougill. One of those was granite, which he said would not require maintenance.

Fellow resident Rick Odess pointed out that he was on the Council when the town paved Jessamine Street.

“The comprehensive plan is the best of all possible worlds,” he said, adding that it should be a guide for the town leaders.

Odess went on to explain that paving Jessamine improved the street. He also suggested the speed bumps and signage that the Council subsequently included in its action. Magnolia Springs resident Donna Eslinger spoke in favor of paving Cougill, as well.

The Council’s vote followed further discussion.