Hamilton mayor explains proposed zoning and ordinance changes

HAMILTON — At the Hamilton City Council’s Monday, May 18, meeting, separate discussions were held on possible changes to zoning ordinances, as well as changes to Ordinance 409, which deals with livestock enclosure regulations within corporate limits.
Regarding changes to the zoning ordinance (Table Of Permitted Uses in Zoning Ordinance 2013-12), Hamilton Mayor Tami Lewis Williams explained she was sharing proposals from the Hamilton Planning Commission to the table of permitted uses, to include changes for an ambulance service, laundry and dry cleaning services and a pawn shop. Current laundromats located downtown are grandfathered in.
The mayor also provided visuals during the meeting regarding the permitted uses allowed in the area (Central Business Districts), how the area looks now, proposed changes and how the districts will look after the changes—if approved by vote. Some of the changes will be listed as “on appeal,” and not necessarily automatically allowed.
The changes in the zoning ordinance will be voted on at the next council meeting on Monday, June 1.
 Regarding the proposed changes to Ordinance 409, the mayor also read aloud the current ordinance and the proposed changes during the meeting. She also noted, according to Alabama code, no county in the state is considered “free range.”
Proposed changes and updates to the wording of the local ordinance include: a listing of animals (livestock), description and offset from neighbors for enclosures, wording regarding each offense, permit classifications, house or dwelling descriptions, registration requirements, endangerment of citizens, enclosure regulations and offset requirements by livestock type, excrement removal requirements, odor offense regulations, registration and permit requirements for nonconforming livestock and violations’ wording updates on fines and the use of community service. All instances regarding enforcement were changed from “mayor” to “enforcement official.”
(The complete ordinance and proposed changes are lengthy, but those interested in viewing the entire meeting can do so via the county’s website at marioncountyal.org through the tab for “Minutes & Agendas” and then “Meeting Archive,” where you can select either YouTube or Facebook, both made possible through Marion CountyTV. Note: See council seated in video image. Also, the current ordinance is viewable on the city’s website at hamiltonal.org.)
The council briefly discussed the proposed changes, which the mayor said may or may not be made, as more discussion will be held during a work session.
She told the Journal-Record later, “I explained this is how it is now. These are the changes we want to make, and right now, we are proposing these changes.” She also provided notes from the meeting, with the following quotes being a blend from her conversation, the notes and the meeting.
Williams told the audience in attendance and those watching via television (meetings are also broadcast afterwards on WMTY Channel 34 or see Pete Nichols on Facebook), she and the council want the citizens’ opinion.
“This is your opportunity,” she said. “This is what we’re thinking about doing, and we want your opinion. This is only discussion tonight, and I will be available to discuss one-on-one most anytime—just call city hall first (205-921-2121) and make certain I don’t have an appointment already scheduled.”
The mayor also invited those interested in voicing their opinion to meet with her the Wednesday after the council meeting from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., or sign up for the council’s May 26 work session. She explained later no one showed up during the designated time, and she’d only had one request to get on the agenda to speak during the work session.
“We invited individuals to come and talk one-on-one or as a group or get on the agenda for the workshop in an effort to get public opinion,” she said.
“We are sharing what we are proposing and thinking, but depending on the work session, we may not even make any or all of these changes. We’re just sharing how it is now, and what we are proposing.”
Although the workshop will have already been held by the time this article is printed, the mayor said individuals may still contact her at city hall before the next council meeting.