Summary

Opelika City Council approves economic development agreements, zoning change, specialty hemp retailer license, and a demolition; adopts routine consent items

OpelikaApr 7, 20263 min read

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April 7, 2026 regular meeting at 300 Martin Luther King Blvd. Council President W. George Allen and all council members were present. Meeting called to order at 6:11 PM and adjourned at 8:18 PM. Council approved multiple alcohol licenses by consent, reappointed a Board of Education member, approved tax abatements and a project development agreement for local economic development, authorized demolition of 1904 Trimble Street, approved a zoning map amendment for 1550 and 1570 N Uniroyal Road (Ordinance No. 013-26, 2nd reading), and approved a specialty retailer of consumable hemp products license after removing it from the table (3–2). Mayor presented proclamations and recognitions including an Empty Bowls check to the Food Bank of East Alabama and a proclamation for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

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City Council

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Budget & TaxEducationCommerceHousing

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Key decisions

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Approved Consent Agenda including multiple alcohol licenses (unanimous).
Appointed Mr. Motley as clerk pro-tem for the meeting (unanimous).
Reappointed Antione Harvis to the Board of Education (new term expires 04-01-2031) (unanimous consent).
Approved Certain Tax Abatements and Exemptions for Car Tech, LLC (Resolution No. 085-26) (unanimous).
Approved Project Development Agreement with GMB USA Alabama, Inc., including incentives (Resolution No. 086-26) (unanimous).
Authorized demolition of 1904 Trimble Street (Resolution No. 087-26) (unanimous).
Approved specialty retailer license for Top Shelf Alternatives LLC (consumable hemp products) after removing from the table; motion passed 3–2.
Approved amendment to zoning ordinance & map for 1550 and 1570 N Uniroyal Road (12.5 acres) from R-2 to C-2, GC-P (Ordinance No. 013-26, second reading) (unanimous).
Held mayoral recognitions: Empty Bowls check presented to the Food Bank of East Alabama; proclamations for Character Week and Sexual Assault Awareness Month; employee service awards.

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Meeting information

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Opelika City Council Regular Meeting

Apr 7, 2026, 6:00 PM300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Opelika, AL 36801completed

Agenda

1. A CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
1. George Allen, Janataka Hughley-Holmes, Leigh Whatley, Chuck Beams, Todd Rauch
Decision: ROLL CALL
3. INVOCATION
1. W. George Allen - President of the City Council.
Decision: INVOCATION
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
1. Cale White and Andrea Hernandez-Rodriguez from Opelika Middle School.
Decision: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1. Motion to Adopt the CM Agenda for 04-07-26.
Decision: ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
6. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S)
1. Minutes from the 03-17-26 council meeting.
attachments=1
Decision: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S)
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
8. MAYOR COMMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
1. Empty Bowls Check Presentation to the Food Bank of East Alabama.
Decision: MAYOR COMMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
2. Proclamation for Character Week in Opelika.
attachments=1
Decision: MAYOR COMMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
3. Proclamation for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
attachments=1
Decision: MAYOR COMMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
4. Employee Service Awards.
Decision: MAYOR COMMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
(Limit comments to 3 minutes or less)
1. Public Hearing - Project Development Agreement with GMB USA Alabama, Inc.
attachments=1
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. Public Hearing - Demolition - 203 Darden Street.
attachments=14
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. Public Hearing - Demolition - 1904 Trimble Street.
Public Hearing-Demolition -1904 Trimble St. | attachments=12
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. Public Hearing - Demolition - 1905 Trimble Street.
Public Hearing-Demolition-1905 Trimble St. | attachments=13
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
5. Public Hearing - Amend Zoning Ordinance & Map: 4600 block Birmingham Hwy, 113.4 Acres, from R-2 to C-3, GC-P.
attachments=1
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. Public Hearing - Amend Zoning Ordinance & Map: 1500 block Century Blvd, 42.73 Acres, from R-3 to R-5.
attachments=1
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. Public Hearing - Amend Zoning Ordinance & Map: 598 Dunlop Drive, 21.11 Acres, from R-1 to R-2 and R-3.
attachments=1
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. Public Hearing - Amend Zoning Ordinance & Map: 3310 Society Hill Road, 18.1 Acres, from R-1 to C-2, GC-P.
attachments=1
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
10. AGENDA-RELATED PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Limit comments to 3 minutes or less)
11. CONSENT AGENDA
1. General Business: Request Alcohol License - Marathon 1001 Inc DBA Front Porch Liquor, Lounge Retail Liquor Class 2 (Package Store).
attachments=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
2. General Business: Request Alcohol License - Marathon 1001 Inc DBA Marathon Food Mart, Retail Beer Off Premise.
attachments=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
3. General Business: Request Alcohol License - Tienda El Paraiso LLC DBA Tienda El Paraiso, Retail Wine On Premise.
attachments=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
4. General Business: Request Alcohol License - TP Hospitality Consulting, LLC DBA Opelika Wine Company, Retail Wine and Beer Off Premise.
attachments=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
5. General Business: Request Downtown Street Closure - Start/Finish of Long Distance Bike Ride on 05-09-26.
attachments=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
6. General Business: Request Temporary Street Closure - Sportsplex Tri for Kids on 08-01-26.
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
7. Bid: Viper-ST Solid Dielectric Reclosers & SEL-651R2 Controls - OPS ($ as needed).
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
8. Resolution: Expense Reports from Various Departments.
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
9. Resolution: Designate City Personal Property Surplus and Authorize Disposal.
attachments=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
10. Resolution: Purchase - Front Loader Rental Agreement - OES ($124,800).
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
11. Resolution: Accept Donation of Property from SMB Land, LLC for West Ridge Park - P&R.
attachments=3
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
12. Resolution: Accept Public Infrastructure and Utilities of Various Subdivisions - ENG.
attachments=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
13. Resolution: Appoint Underwriter and Bond Counsel for the Acquisition of General Obligation School Warrants - ADMIN.
attachments=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
14. Resolution: Approve Asset Disposition Services Agreement with PropertyRoom.com, Inc. - OPD.
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
15. Resolution: Approve License Agreement with BOE for Fireworks Exhibition and Display - P&R.
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
16. Resolution: Demolition - 1905 Trimble Street.
attachments=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
17. Resolution: Request Refund of Sewer Fees Paid in Error - Thomas McCauley ($1,333.29).
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
18. Resolution: Special Appropriation to AO Tourism for Hosting AJGA Golf Tournament at Grand National - ED ($10,000).
attachments=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
19. Resolution: Special Appropriation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of East Alabama ($7,500).
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
20. Resolution: Special Appropriation to Envision Opelika - Character Council ($2,500).
attachments=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
21. Resolution: Special Appropriation to KOB for 2026 Garden in the Park ($2,500).
attachments=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
22. Appointment: Reappoint Jasper Snipes to the Board of Parks and Recreation. New Term expires 03-15-2031.
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
23. Appointment: Reappoint Antione Harvis to the Board of Education. New Term expires 04-01-2031.
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
12. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Request Specialty License - Top Shelf Alternatives LLC, Specialty Retailer Of Consumable Hemp Products. - (Tabled)
attachments=1
Decision: GENERAL BUSINESS
13. AWARDING OF BIDS
14. RESOLUTIONS
1. Approve Certain Tax Abatements and Exemptions for Car Tech, LLC - ED.
attachments=2
Decision: RESOLUTIONS
2. Approve Project Development Agreement with GMB USA Alabama, Inc. - ED.
attachments=4
Decision: RESOLUTIONS
3. Demolition - 1904 Trimble Street.
attachments=1
Decision: RESOLUTIONS
15. ORDINANCES
1. Amend Zoning Ordinance & Map: 1550 and 1570 N Uniroyal Road, 12.5 Acres, from R-2 to C-2, GC-P - 2nd Reading.
attachments=2
Decision: ORDINANCES
2. Amend Zoning Ordinance & Map: 4600 block Birmingham Hwy, 113.4 Acres, from R-2 to C-3, GC-P - 2nd Reading.
attachments=2
Decision: ORDINANCES
3. Amend Zoning Ordinance & Map: 1500 block Century Blvd, 42.73 Acres, from R-3 to R-5 - 2nd Reading.
attachments=3
Decision: ORDINANCES
4. Amend Zoning Ordinance & Map: 598 Dunlop Drive, 21.11 Acres, from R-1 to R-2 and R-3 - 2nd Reading.
attachments=2
Decision: ORDINANCES
5. Amend Zoning Ordinance & Map: 3310 Society Hill Road, 6.59 Acres, from R-1 to C-2, GC-P - 2nd Reading.
attachments=3
Decision: ORDINANCES
6. Amend Chapter 17, Article 5 of the City Code of Ordinances: Pre-Trial Diversion Program - 1st Reading.
attachments=1
Decision: ORDINANCES
7. Amend the Development Plan for the Cedar Creek PUD - 1st Reading.
attachments=2
Decision: ORDINANCES
16. APPOINTMENTS
17. SECOND ROSTER OF PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Limit comments to 3 minutes or less)
18. ADJOURN
1. Character Trait of the Month - Kindness, the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
Decision: ADJOURN
2. Motion to Adjourn.
Decision: ADJOURN