Residents in Arab are speaking out against a proposed housing development, raising concerns that the city is prioritizing growth over existing zoning rules and citizen input.
The controversy centers on a developer’s request to rezone 36 acres off 12th Avenue from R1 (low-density, single-family residential) to R2 (medium-density residential), a change that would allow the construction of more than 60 homes on the currently open field.
“Our residents are quiet and peaceful. There’s not a lot of crime, and we want to keep it that way,†said Elaina Franks, who lives near the proposed development site.
Franks and others argue the neighborhood’s infrastructure, including already overcrowded schools, cannot support the additional homes.
“It’s quite obvious the type of homes we have here and the distance between them. Adding over 60 homes would significantly impact our day-to-day lives,†Franks said.
The issue has also sparked debate on social media, with some residents alleging the City Council has already decided in favor of the rezoning, despite no official decisions being made.
Mayor Bob Joslin refuted those claims.
“They’ve denied requests in the past. It’s not a rubber-stamp operation,†Joslin said, emphasizing that the public will have an opportunity to voice concerns at a meeting Tuesday evening.
The mayor stressed that the Planning and Zoning Board will consider residents’ feedback before making recommendations to the City Council. However, Joslin confirmed he will not attend the meeting, explaining he wants residents to feel comfortable speaking freely.
Michelle Hudgins, a mother of three, hopes city officials will carefully weigh the community’s concerns.
“I urge everyone to think about what it would be like if this was happening in their neighborhood,†Hudgins said.
The public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Arab City Hall.
Meeting Details:
• When: Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m.
• Where: Arab City Hall
• Topic: Rezoning request for 36 acres off 12th Avenue from R1 to R2.
Background:
In October, a similar proposal to rezone the area to R3 (high-density residential) was denied following strong neighborhood opposition. The developer now claims R1 zoning is not financially viable for building quality homes.
Residents are concerned the city may already view the R2 request as a “done deal,†undermining trust and established ordinances.
The mayor has called the project “very early in the planning stages†and encouraged residents to attend the meeting to ensure their voices are heard.
WAAY 31 will continue to follow this story as it develops.
