Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The City of Prattville Board of Zoning and Adjustments voted down a special exception request to allow an RV Park/ Campground at 1090 and 1091 Country Club Commercial Park Drive on Highway 14 in Prattville city limits.
The lots sit adjacent to a Dollar General and across Highway 14 to Fras-le North America. The petitioners Harry Dismukes and Jimmy Rawlinson stated this site wouldn’t necessarily be an RV park and campground, it would be for the working individual. A place for that individual to stay while they finish out a job within the area Dismukes stated.
In order to make this a reality a number of things need to happen in order to fall under not only the ordinances of the city of Prattville but also to adhere to the rules and regulations of how Prattville specifically zones an RV park and campground.
Parking, lighting, access to sanitary, recreation and other common facilities must be accessed internally as well as having toilets and lavatories, showers, water connection and washer and dryer to name a few of the regulations.
The owner of Dollar General and the plant manager of Fras-le North America both spoke to the board with similar concerns, as well as numerous members of the public stating that they do support this cause and this need in the community, however this is the entirely wrong location for an RV park.
“I appreciate these guys for wanting to fill a need for something that they see. I have no issues with campgrounds or RV parks, what I do have a problem with is the location of where this is going to be placed,” Prattville citizen Wade Newman said.
The board would have to waive a variance to have a campground on a parcel smaller than the minimum, which is 3 acres, allow an RV/ campground without the required on site sanitary, shower and washing facilities.
The two respective lots would also have to be rezoned on top of the variances that would also have to be waived by the board.
“As a resident and mayor, I’ve spoken with Mr. Dismukes about this, done my own research and spoken to several elected officials on city council. I have not found anyone in support of this project. I have no issues with an RV park in the right location, it’s about location and perception as this is a part of the gateway coming into Prattville,” Gillespie said.
