PH Minutes 2020-03-03
PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020
6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER: The Prattville City Council met in public hearing on Tuesday, March 3,
2020, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Council President Striplin called the
meeting to order. Roll was called and all were recorded as being present.
1. ORDINANCE: To Rezone Property Located South of Ridgewood Road and West of Mt. Airy Drive
from R-2 & R-3 (Single Family Residential) and R-5 (Patio Garden Homes) to R-3 (Single Family
Residential). (Owner: City of Prattville) (Petitioner: James B. Marshall, Jr.) (Sponsored By:
Councilor Jackson)
HELD FROM FEBRUARY 4, 2020
Henry Harris, with Larry Speaks and Associates, 535 Herron Street, Montgomery, spoke on
behalf of the rezoning request. Three zones (R-2, R-3, and R-5) will be consolidated into one
zone (R-3) to build on 65’ x 125’ lots.
Jerri Young, 641 Mimosa Road, spoke in opposition to the rezoning. Ms. Young stated she is
not opposed to growth but wants to see responsible growth in the area. Ms. Young expressed
concern regarding traffic and infrastructure in the area. Ms. Young noted that the Camellia
Estates subdivision dates to 1960-1961 with the first house built in 1962, and it can be assumed
that all of the sewer system has not been replaced. Additional development in this area will
also affect Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Dianne Rolling, 119 Magnolia Drive, spoke regarding a concern that additional development
will cause increased traffic issues in the neighborhood. Ms. Rolling also addressed existing
sewer issues which will be made worse with additional development. (A copy of Ms. Rolling’s
handout is attached to these minutes.) Ms. Rolling encouraged the Council to vote against this
rezoning request.
Council President Pro Tempore Brown noted that the area is currently zoned residential. The
rezoning will reduce the number of homes allowed to be built in the area.
Chloe Miller, 135 Magnolia Drive, is a first-time homeowner and recently had a sewage backup
in her yard. Ms. Miller expressed concern regarding what could happen in the future with
additional development.
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, stated she is under the impression that the City owns one
parcel and that Mr. Marshall has not yet purchased the pecan grove parcel. The property owned
by the City is zoned residential, but there are no houses planned by the City. Ms. Finnegan
suggested that for the betterment of Camellia Estates residents and other citizens, the City
should offer to purchase the pecan grove property from Mr. Marshall and keep the City’s
property as-is.
Public Works Director Dale Gandy spoke regarding the concerns for Magnolia Drive. The new
proposed subdivision will not have any effect on where they live. Sewer leaves Camellia
Estates in three different directions – Camellia Drive north heads across Highway 31, Woodvale
Road east heads south at Woodvale Road, and the west end of Woodvale heads south through
the old Lambert property.
The issue is a heavy amount of rain in a short amount of time creating inflow and infiltration (I
& I). The City had previously had backflow preventers installed at 135 and 137 Magnolia Drive
because these houses sit at the lowest point . The City could spend over $100 million in
infrastructure improvements in Prattville.
Smoke testing is used to locate sewer issues. Mr. Gandy stated that he believes smoke testing
will show the problem to be lateral lines that run from the sewer line to individual homes. Faulty
lateral lines become a french drain allowing an influx of water to hit the storm sewer during
heavy rains which creates overflow problems.
Councilor Strichik asked what caused the backup. Mr. Gandy responded that houses built in
the 1960-1970s used orangeburg pipe for lateral lines. Over time orangeburg pipe degrades
and creates the french drain effect. Heavy rain in a short amount of time creates inflow and
infiltration. This is a common problem, not just a problem in Prattville.
Councilor Jackson asked for more information regarding smoke testing. Mr. Gandy responded
that smoke testing is scheduled for this area, the area behind Country’s Barbeque, and the
Durden Road area. The weather must be dry to smoke test as smoke cannot travel through
high water tables.
Councilor Boone clarified that lateral lines run perpendicular to the sewer line and tie into
homes. The lateral line is the homeowner’s responsibility. Mr. Gandy explained that the City
has researched the development of a Lateral Rehabilitation Assistance Program (LRAP) to
help homeowners replaced faulty lateral lines and then reimburse the expense to the City on a
monthly basis.
ADJOURN:
There being no further comments, Council President Striplin closed the Public Hearing at 6:21
p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Albert Striplin, President
Prattville City Council