Commission approves rezoning request for 75‑acre US‑80 West parcel to enable marketing and development

The Montgomery City Planning Commission approved a rezoning request for 75 acres of vacant land on U.S. 80 West to allow the owners to market the property for development, the commission heard.

Gunther Jeffcoat of Jeffcoat Engineers and Surveyors represented John Simmons Jr., asking the commission to rezone the parcel. Jeffcoat said utilities needed for development are available except sewage and described the site as well‑drained and in a favorable location. “We were asked for your approval of a rezoning request on 75 acres of vacant land on US 80 West, and all of the utilities needed except sewage are available. It's a good well drained piece of land in a great location,” Jeffcoat said.

A planning department staff member confirmed that the city’s comprehensive plan had identified the location as a potential open‑space area but that the site did not show environmental constraints such as wetlands or floodplain that would prevent rezoning. The staff statement in the transcript said, in part, “No conflict ... this location is not does not have any issues where there is, anything that's environmentally sensitive or, in a wetland or flood area.”

Commissioners asked if there were questions from the public; none were recorded in the excerpt. A motion to approve the rezoning was made and the item was approved (the transcript indicates the motion passed with vocal consent during the meeting segment provided).

Next steps: With the planning commission’s approval, the rezoning recommendation will be forwarded as required by local procedures for final adoption, and the owners may proceed with marketing and later site planning, including extending sewer service if required by future development plans.

Speakers on the record included Gunther Jeffcoat (consulting engineer for the applicant), John Simmons Jr. (owner, present), and planning staff.