Barnes petitions commission for zoning, planning
Marie Barnes, a Hope Hull resident, petitioned Lowndes County commissioners for zoning ordinances, citing concerns over a proposed hyper-scale data center near Burkville. Commissioners acknowledged the need for zoning but noted the county currently lacks such authority and would require state legislative approval to implement it. The resident has launched a petition campaign to support the creation of these ordinances.
Hope Hull resident Marie Barnes has formally petitioned the Lowndes County Commissioners for the creation of zoning and planning ordinances. Barnes expressed significant concerns over a proposed hyper-scale data center planned near Burkville, stating that current regulations do not adequately protect residential landowners from commercial and industrial development. She initiated a petition campaign to garner support for these ordinances, advocating for clear separation of residential, commercial, and industrial zones.
Commissioners, including Chairman Charlie King, Jr., acknowledged the long-standing issue of the county's lack of planning and zoning. King noted that without such ordinances, the commission has limited leverage over development projects, except potentially through abatement requests. Commissioner Robert Harris echoed support for implementing zoning but clarified that any such effort would require approval from the Alabama legislature. He suggested that abatements could serve as a negotiating tool for developers to agree to measures like increased setbacks.
Commissioner Dickson Farrior has twice attempted, unsuccessfully, to pass motions denying future abatement requests to any entity other than a data center's end user. Barnes continues to invite residents to sign her petition in support of planning and zoning efforts in Lowndes County.