The Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted 3–2 Tuesday night to approve the first reading of a controversial request to rezone a 48.5-acre parcel on Highway 49 from Agricultural (AG) to Mixed Use Residential/Commercial (MURC). The decision came after nearly two hours of discussion and public comment, despite clear and vocal opposition from residents in attendance.
Public Opposition Dominates the Room
Roughly 50 people filled the Coopertown Fire Station meeting room for the highly anticipated vote. Nine citizens spoke during the public comment period—seven firmly opposed the rezoning, one asked to see the development plan, and one floated a neutral stance, citing the need to hedge against possible future state intervention on zoning control related to dumps.
The crowd appeared overwhelmingly opposed. Many residents visibly reacted to the board’s deliberations, and several walked out immediately following the vote, describing the outcome as “disappointing,” “predictable,” and even “a betrayal.”
A Split Vote, A Divided Community
Mayor Jeff Smith acknowledged significant concerns, particularly related to infrastructure, drainage, and traffic impact. He also cited the potential to improve those issues and potential long-term tax benefits—reportedly estimated by the developer at nearly $1 million annually. Ultimately the Mayor voted yes, breaking the split vote between wards.
Despite the visible opposition in the room, Alderman Mason stated he had talked to over a hundred people in his district, and the general consensus was they are for this project.
The final tally:
- YES – Alderman Mason (motion), Vice Mayor Anderson (second), Mayor Smith
- NO – Alderman Rundle, Alderman Hayes
Mason’s motion included a request that certain conditions —typically required at the application stage—be met before final approval, though it remains unclear how binding these conditions will be moving forward.
Alderman Hayes and Alderman Rundle were visibly upset by the outcome of the vote. They both made the point that they had just received the plan at the meeting, with Alderman Hayes saying it should have been put out to the citizens on social media and the town website, as some of the comments against the proposal may have turned to yes if citizen were given the opportunity to see the plan. He went on to say that citizens were forced to give commentary based on a re-zoning request and not the actual plan presented.
Residents React: “Just Another Dot on the Map”
As the meeting adjourned, many residents were visibly frustrated. Several stated they no longer trust town leadership to prioritize community interests.
“We came, we spoke, and we were ignored,” said one Oak Pointe resident.
“It’s clear now—Coopertown is for sale,” another resident added, vowing to put their home on the market.
Online reaction mirrored the mood in the room, with social media overwhelmingly opposed to the board’s decision. As of this writing, not a single public comment in favor of the rezoning has been observed on local pages or threads, yet many have discussed possibly selling and moving elsewhere.
What’s Next? Second Reading Looms
This was only the first reading of the rezoning ordinance. For it to become law, it must pass a second and final vote, expected at the October BOMA meeting.
Residents concerned about the proposal are encouraged to contact their aldermen, submit written statements, and attend the next meeting to voice their continued opposition.
You can watch a video of the meeting here:
