To be in compliance with JC Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance

Larkinsville locals may have finally received some good news from the Jackson County Commission concerning the possibility of Dynetics building a propulsion testing sight in their community. For several weeks residents of the area have sought answers to their questions about how the company might affect certain aspects of their lives, all to no avail.

However, at the last commission meeting a unanimous motion was passed to authorize County Attorney John Porter to notify the current land owner and Dynetics about the requirements of the Jackson County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and to notify them that they are required to obtain a permit from the county before the property can be developed.

Commissioner Horace Clemmons said, “I don’t believe the commission is against trying to attract jobs, or anything else. From my perspective there is so little known about this project and we see some significant evidence from the property owners in the area. I think we need to get answers to these questions before anything can occur.”

The flood damage ordinance is the only ordinance that gives the commission authority over land development in the county. Now, in order for Dynetics to move forward with their project they must address the concerns that have been building since news broke of their intention to buy 1,500 acres of Pinhook Hollow. 

Another motion that was related to this issue died for lack of a second. The commission was to consider a motion to request that the Jackson County Legislative Delegation introduce a local act at the next regular session of the Alabama Legislature that would authorize the commission to adopt a commercial zoning ordinance for unincorporated areas of the county, like Larkinsville. Commissioner Clemmons made the motion to make the request, but there was no second.  Commissioner Jack Smith said “I’m not going to make that motion. I feel we should leave that up to the new commissioners.”

Chairman Sadie Bias confirmed that she spoke with James Miller of Dynetics who said it would be two to three weeks before the company could meet with the public.

The commission also approved the following items: hiring Denise Johnson as an accounting clerk, overtime pay for city workers to clean up Jackson County Park, purchase of one Auto Truck and lease of one Auto Truck, signing a resolution setting the speed limit on County Road 331 to 35 mph, and requiring all municipalities desiring to house inmates in the Jackson County Jail to sign a contract.

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