By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
See new Map of Pine Level at bottom, which will be official Oct. 1, 2025.
Around 60 people gathered for Pine Level’s first Community Input meeting recently at the Pine Level Community Center.
While Pine Level is the newest “official” town in Autauga County, the area itself has a lot of history, memories, and longtime residents had some ideas of how they would like to see the town grow. It was a dynamic group gathered from older young, and some great discussions were had in the two-hour meeting.
Pine Level now has an expanded area to grow now that Governor Kay Ivey has signed a bill allowing for annexation that includes the I-65 exit. It has long been named the Pine Level exit; it is just now officially part of a new town.
Residents took part in group discussions about what the assets are for the area, now, and what they envision 20 years from now. Ben Wiesman is planner and landscape architect. Matt Leavell is an architect and planning developer, and both men led groups at tables through discussions, questions and what the residents envision.
Weisman explained that state code provides that towns have a Comprehensive Plan/Master Plan. He said they were interested in getting public opinions, to help create a road map for the future, which is a living document. It can be changed over time, as the community grows. The more voices in the discussion, the better, he said.
Residents of Pine Level are the stakeholders and should have a strong voice in how the town develops, both men agreed.
Everyone participating discussed current assets of Pine Level, such as excellent schools, a great community, fire department, friendly people, social activities, engaged leadership, open land, history and the recent purchase of a new city hall.
They then talked about issues that could be better, such as more food options, traffic control at the 31/40 area, water utilities, beautification, job opportunities, ballparks, soccer field, or sports complexes. They would like to see a park with a pavilion, playground, a dog park and for local landowners being open to the development of their land. They said it would be nice to have their own post office.
This carried over to their vision of Pine Level 20 years from now, with an expanded fire department and police department, walking trails, alternate roads, controlled growth, shopping center and a modernized community center. Most importantly, they want the current community center to be saved for its historical benefit. The former school has many stories to tell, indeed.
All agreed that there is much history to be shared about the area. Town Clerk Theresa Cook spoke of her mother having memories of working in a nearby field. She recalls a band, including Hank Williams, Sr., performing at the present-day Pine Level Community Center many years ago and hearing the music. (If anyone has information on that, or photos, please contact the City of Pine Level.”
The next community input meeting will be June 19 at the Community Center, and some of those ideas of the future will be brought to life, thanks to the architects, planners and drawings of what Pine Level could include in the next few years.
The next meeting June 19 will begin to show the vision, and attendees were reminded this is a team effort. We will have more information as the meeting date draws closer, but we encourage anyone interested to attend and offer their thoughts.
Pine Level Mayor Zachary Taylor thanked the large crowd for attending, saying, “Thank you for your support. You have all stepped up and we are all trying to figure this out as we go. We are very excited about the future for all of us.”
