By Sherri Blevins
On April 3, 2023, the Rainsville City Council held a public hearing to discuss the rezoning of Cornerstone Christian Academy Campus, which is approximately 41 acres, from B-1/R-1 to Agricultural. According to Mayor Lingerfelt, schools are supposed to fall under the Agriculture zoning classification.
Landowners living near or adjoining the Cornerstone property and Cornerstone representatives were both present at the hearing. Mayor Lingerfelt offered those who opposed the rezoning the opportunity to speak first. One citizen asked if the Short Street widening project had anything to do with the rezoning. Short Street intersects with Scott Street and with Marshall. Mayor Lingerfelt and Councilman Byrum explained that widening Short Street was part of a bigger paving project the City had planned and was needed so two lanes of traffic could meet safely without damaging vehicles. One foot is to be added to each side of the road to improve traffic flow. Mayor Lingerfelt said the widening project had nothing to do with the rezoning issue.
Another citizen was concerned that driveways from the school property to Scott Street would be added, rerouting traffic into the residential area. Mayor Lingerfelt said that would not happen, and all driveways would be in front of the property to prevent additional traffic in the residential area.
Other landowners were concerned that property values would decrease on the adjacent property if the school decided to add ballfields and stadium lights to the land across from the residents. They were worried the lights would be a nuisance shining in their homes, making them less desirable.
A spokesperson for Cornerstone said he didn’t think the ballfields would be built there for at least ten, fifteen, or twenty years. Cornerstone has a lease with the City of Rainsville to use Bethune Park for baseball and softball and Rodeo Field for football. He also thought property values would increase, being next to the school since it is an excellent school.
Mayor Lingerfelt closed the public hearing, and during the Council meeting, the Council approved the Zoning Board’s recommendation to rezone the area to Agriculture.
The following items were approved during the meeting:
• Ordinance 04-03-2023 rezoning Cornerstone Christian Academy from B-1/R-1 to Agriculture
• Changing from Court Payment Portal to Court Solutions for the City Court’s use
• Resolution 04-03-2023 declaring two unused computers at the Library as surplus
• Hiring Katelyn Hilley as a 15-20 hour summer employee at the Library
• Authorize Mayor Lingerfelt to investigate placing a street light at the intersection of 44 (Chavies Rd) and 835(Old Hwy 35)
• $1,500.00 to Michael’s Tree Service for removing three trees from Dilbeck Rd.
• $500.00 sponsorship for the Georgia High School Rodeo Association event at the Agribusiness Center
• Amending the pay scale for retirees returning to part-time work, raising the pay of summer workers to $10.00 per hour and summer supervisors to $12.50 per hour
• Bidding out a 2006 white Dodge Pickup Truck to the public with bids to be opened on April 19
Rainsville Chamber Director Sandy Goff reminded everyone of important upcoming events. The Chamber’s Administrative Assistant Luncheon will be on April 26, the Jail and Bail Scholarship event will be on May 2, and the Rainsville Freedom Fest is only 81 days away.
The next Council meeting will be on April 17, 2023.