By Staff
Mitch Freeman Madison County Record
A plan outlining future growth for Madison will soon be before the city council.
The Madison Growth Commission has drafted a policy statement regarding the future growth of the area. According to commission member Mayor Jan Wells, the city council will soon get a look at the recently completed plan.
Elements of the plan are:
Burgreen Road should be retained as the city's western growth boundary. Except for certain restrictions, no residential annexations will be allowed west of Burgreen Road.
Annexations of residential property west of Burgreen Road would only be considered if the property lies north of Brown's Ferry Road and could be used to reach strategically important commercial areas on Highway 72.
The Planning and Zoning Commission will continue to review and make recommendations to the council and mayor on all annexation requests for property lying outside the city's growth boundaries.
The Planning and Zoning Commission will also be asked to provide short and long-term economic impact studies of any such annexations. The studies will include impact on city government departments, school system, utilities and quality of life.
Any residential areas annexed in order to reach commercial property on Highway 72 will be zoned at the lowest possible development density.
The city will support the Alabama League of Municipalities and other organizations in their efforts to strengthen legislation concerning public facilities and impact fees.
The city will work to rezone additional areas to commercial, especially sites located in the historic downtown area.
The city will extend infrastructure to new areas outside the city only if an enforcable annexation agreement is in place.
Work to resolve the Limestone County tax issue to ensure the city receives all school tax revenue paid by residents living in that county.
The policy will be reviewed two years after it is adopted. An additional statement regarding water and sewage service beyond Burgreen Road might be added at a later date.