Two important ordinances will be considered at the meeting of Tuscaloosa Planning & Zoning Commission today, Monday, September 17^th .  The commission's meeting will begin at 4:00 PM in the Council Chambers at Tuscaloosa City Hall.  Please note the time - 4:00 PM - which has been set to provide an early start to a long agenda.

The Chamber has been monitoring both issues carefully over the past several weeks.  An ad hoc Sign Ordinance Task Force, led by Cal Holt, has been working diligently on behalf of business interests and The Chamber, both in Tuscaloosa and Northport.  In addition, a Board-adopted position favoring in principle the proposed riverfront zoning ordinance has been filed, reserving the right to review the various details of the proposed ordinance.

The Chamber continues to call for a balanced approach to proposed ordinances, emphasizing the need to have reasonable, fair guidelines that promote a healthy, positive business climate and that stimulate the community's economic well-being, environmental quality, and livability. 

Chamber members are encouraged to participate in this important planning and zoning process and attend the meeting today at 4:00 PM.

The annual "State of the Community" breakfast is scheduled for this week on Thursday, September 20^th at The Capstone Hotel (formerly the Sheraton Four Points) beginning at 7:30 AM. This annual session with local elected leaders, is hosted and sponsored by The Chamber and The Tuscaloosa News.

 

A community leadership team is headed to Washington to promote a number of issues, projects and needs as part of the annual Washington Fly In, sponsored by The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.    The 15-member team will be in Washington, September 25-26, meeting with members of Alabama's Congressional delegation and other key staff and administrative leaders. 

Among key issues and projects on this year's Fly In agenda are: the 2007 water resources bill, which includes funding and language for the relocation of the Corps of Engineers facilities in Tuscaloosa; funding for the McWrights Ferry road extension and other transportation projects; support for a HOPE VI grant for Rosedale Courts and the Tuscaloosa Housing Authority; runway extension and radar system expansion at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport; continued support and funding for the Tuscaloosa-Northport riverfront initiatives.
 
The Chamber delegation will be led by 2007 Chamber Chairman Jim Harrison, III, and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox.  The delegation also includes members of The Chamber's Board of Directors and other local business and civic leaders representing Tuscaloosa County Schools, Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, Tuscaloosa Housing Authority and others.

 

Chamber President Johnnie Aycock emphasized that "our  Fly In to Washington has been very effective over the years, advocating key business positions on legislative issues as well as providing support for vital community and economic development projects for our area.  We have an excellent, diverse leadership team participating and look forward to a result-driven visit."