The Dothan City Commission on Nov. 4 held a public hearing on an ordinance to remove 38 parcels from the US Highway 84 East Overlay District and voted to amend the measure to include all affected parcels, requiring a new advertisement and a Dec. 7 public hearing.

City Manager Todd gave a historical presentation on the 84 East Corridor planning process, the overlay's creation and the steps taken to advertise the 66‑page ordinance. He told the commission the planning commission recommended removing 38 parcels while retaining two that landowners specifically asked to remain in the overlay.

The issue drew lengthy public comment from residents and landowners. Steve Kirkland, who identified himself as a resident of South Beverly Road, asked the commission to return the parcels to the 2019 zoning and said, "it's just been a great community. We've raised our families here, and it's a safe community." Leslie Hellman, president of the Hidden Lakes Homeowners Association, said the 2019 R‑3 compromise "recognized our community's character" and urged the commission to reinstate the earlier zoning for parcels south of Roland Road.

Property owners on the opposing side also spoke. Pepe Cooper, who said her family owns 56 acres in the area, asked that her land remain in the overlay and warned that removing parcels would "erode the entire master plan." Jeff McAllister, who also said he owns land in the area, told the commission he wanted the zoning preserved for prospective buyers: "I want it to stay what y'all got it."

After public comment, Commissioner Bedwell moved to amend the ordinance to remove all the overlay properties rather than the 38 specified in the version before the commission. The motion was seconded; the commission approved the amendment by voice/hand vote. City staff and the city clerk advised the board that expanding the removal is a significant change under state law and requires another round of legal advertisement; staff said the amended ordinance will be re‑advertised and a public hearing scheduled for Dec. 7.

The commission did not adopt a final ordinance at the Nov. 4 meeting. Instead it voted to advance the amended measure to the required additional public‑notice process and set the next hearing. If the expanded amendment is adopted after that process, the base zoning for the affected properties would revert to the pre‑overlay zones and any future rezoning or development would follow the normal public‑hearing and planning‑commission review process.

Why it matters: The overlay was developed as part of a multi‑year corridor plan intended to encourage mixed‑use development along US Highway 84 East. Opponents cited notice, traffic and neighborhood‑character concerns; supporters, including some landowners, said keeping property in the overlay preserves development rights and the integrity of the long‑range plan.

What happens next: Staff will re‑advertise the amended ordinance and hold a new public hearing on Dec. 7. Any final change to zoning will require separate action after the required legal advertisement and public‑hearing process.