FAIRHOPE, Ala. - After several requests from residents at the annual public input meeting of the Planning Commission this week, a dormant committee to study and make recommendations regarding North Greeno Road will be revived, according to Jean Wilson, commission chairwoman.

That three-block section of four-lane highway north of Gayfer Avenue and south of County Road 104 was zoned residential property more than 20 years ago when it was a two-lane road, but its character and use have changed since then, according to statements made by residents at the April 4 meeting.

A group of property owners along that stretch of highway, which now has a speed limit of 50 miles per hour, made their case Monday for the city to do a systematic review of the area and make changes in the city’s zoning to reflect the changes that have occurred in the past two decades.

“I think you have a golden opportunity here,” said Bobby Green, owner of Green Nurseries on North Greeno Road and current chair of the city’s Tree Committee. “A large group of property owners are amenable to getting something done but to also be cognizant of our neighbors. I’d like to see someone from our group on the committee and maybe someone from (other neighborhoods in the area).”

Green said a city plan for that stretch of Greeno Road could avoid the kind of spot-zoning that has occurred in the area in the past few years.

“We should include a well-rounded diverse group of folks on the committee,” said Councilman Rick Kingrea and commission member. “Money’s going to be problem, but I’m willing to study it and give all due consideration to it.”

The North Greeno Road Corridor Committee will be revived, according to planning director Jonathan Smith, but no instructions were given by the commission on how to select members for the committee or a deadline for doing so. Wilson did suggest to Kingrea that he meet with the council and get its input on how the committee should be organized, which he said he would do.

Two years ago the commission eliminated its monthly public participation item on its agenda and replaced it with an annual meeting.

All members of the nine-person commission attended the single public input meeting of the year except for commission member Lee Turner, who was absent.

In other comments at the public input meeting, the commission:

• Heard from local activist Willie Williams who said the commission and other city boards and committees needed more diversity.

“We have to have diversification to get different points of view,” Williams said. “There are other people who would bring different skills.”

Williams noted that Mayor Tim Kant, who sits on the commission, by state statute, also appoints all eight other members of the commission, who currently are all white.

During the planning commission meeting that preceded the public input meeting, Williams objected to the commission’s plans to recommend to the council the creation of a Medical Overlay District near Thomas Hospital because he said some local residents were not contacted about the proposal.

The commission tabled the proposal and plans were made to hold a communtiy meeting with more public notice to local residents to discuss the proposal, Williams said after the meeting.

• Heard from Gary Gover, who stated that he believed it was time for the city to begin its next Comprehensive Plan cycle. He also said that the current CP required that an annual review of progress toward the plan’s goals be undertaken.

“I don’t believe that has been happening,” Gover said. “I think it needs to be made part of the process.”