In a 3-2 vote Phenix City city council voted to annex and rezone over 20 acres of property on Dobbs Drive despite residents' disapproval.
“I’m disappointed,” says Jason Long, a Dobbs Drive resident.
Dozens packed the council chambers to speak against the rezoning and annexation of land to a planned residential district.
"Our own council person that's supposed to be representing us did not represent the people she...was actually voted in for,” says Danielle Moser, but she says she had to try anyway.
Phenix City law dictates a PRD has to be at least 40 acres but council has the authority to amend that, which caused some heated discussions as to whether that requirement was even waived.
Council made a motion to waive the minimum acre requirement and then voted on the rezoning and annexation.
"The taste we're left in our mouth is that any code can be waived at anytime for any given person,” Long says.
A lot of military families showed up to the public hearing in their uniforms to voice their opposition and left the meeting seriously considering selling their houses.
More than 100 residents say they don't want the complex built because they believe there will be higher crime and traffic.
The city conducted two studies that they say show no substantial correlation between crime rates and apartments built near sub-divisions and only a 6.2 percent increase in area traffic.
Residents also believe their property values will fall. Long says his house has been on the market since October and he’s already seeing the affects. "They [realtors] don't come or show our home because they realize when they disclose what's going on adjacent to us that no one will be interested in buying.”
Councilmember Jimmy Wetzel says it's not all about money, but the proposed 136 apartments could help the city. "…One of this size would probably pay about two-hundred-thousand dollars in property taxes."
Area residents now say they will vent their frustrations in the upcoming elections. "Our councilwoman... I would not even think about voting for her,” says Moser.
The city says the developer will have to follow the building plans presented to council.
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