Huntsville Correctional Center Zoning (Madison: 2009, attorneys, contractor)

[Reactionary]

The HSV City Council will vote this Thursday (Nov 5) on a new zoning ordinance regulating the location of correctional facilities.

Here's the proposed Ordinance and maps showing where correctional centers will be allowed:

City of Huntsville, Alabama *** Huntsville *** Alabama ***

In February 2009 the City received a letter from a Federal Bureau of Prisons contractor (described by Mayor Tommy Battle as a “litigious group”) asking for guidance on locating a “residential re-entry center” or “correctional transitional housing” in Huntsville. According to City Attorneys, the City is required to allow public or private (contracted) correctional facilities and can only deal with zoning that was in place as of February 2009. The City asked for and received two moratoriums in order to develop zoning ordinances for correctional facilities - but the deadline is December 23, 2009. Notable quotes: City Planner Marie Bostick - “we didn’t go looking for this”; City Administrator Rex Reynolds - “we need a managed response”; Mayor Battle - “let’s control it”.

The Ordinance allows for development in large areas around the airport, close to the Toyota plant, and close to A&M in Chase.

Bottom line - people don’t want it - other bottom line - “we can’t prohibit them” (Planner Lisa Aleddo). Another bottom line is that if you live in Madison County (or maybe even Madison) you don’t have the zoning protections - this only covers the City of Huntsville.

Here's a bigger writeup (disclosure - it's from me):

http://www.flashpointblog.com/2009/1...nted-land-use/

[Charles]

Related post (10/26/2009):

http://www.city-data.com/forum/hunts...soon-area.html

[skinem]

It almost sounds like one of those deals where someone is looking for a lawsuit to make some money from. You know, I want to build a prison in your town. What? I can't build one there? I'll sue!!

[Reactionary]

Charles - yep, that's what I get for posting something after my bedtime. Maybe Keeper can fix it.

skinem - right, but then they still get to build the facility.