Planning Commission approves medical office plans

Published 3:04 pm Thursday, February 13, 2020

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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The medical office of Dr. David Wilson is a step closer to moving to a new location following approval of the site plans by the Clanton Planning Commission.

Issues related to the project were the only topic of discussion during the board’s meeting on Feb. 13.

The first vote unanimously approved officially subdividing the property Wilson had purchased from the Medical Center Board from the rest of the property MCB owns.

The new office will be located at the corner of Lay Dam Road and Medical Center Drive.

Planning Commission member Jeff Mims expressed concerns about how the project might impact storm water flow after the office is build.

Civil engineer Jeremy Taylor of MTTR Engineers Inc. explained that the project would be following Alabama Department of Transportation requirements for addressing storm water. A catch basin will be installed to slowly release collected rain fall. The runoff is required to continue to flow in the direction it would have prior to the project and at the same rate, Taylor said. The project has been submitted to ALDOT and comments addressed. It has been approved by the local office and is awaiting final approval of the permit by the regional office, Taylor said.

“They have already reviewed all of my calculations and the plans,” Taylor said.

The elevation of the building in reference to the nearby road was also a concern. Planning Commission members wanted to ensure that the building would be high enough to prevent flooding the building during heavy rains.

“We are building up our building pad,” Taylor said.

He explained that the building would be about two feet above the road.

Lonnie Vowels with T Squared Architects said regulations for handicap accessibility want the parking lot and entrance to the building as flat as possible.

The building will be connected to city sewer, and the dumpster area will be enclosed.

The modern design of the building was discussed. Planning Commission members mentioned that it will look very different than nearby structures. However, the property does not have any restrictions on the style of building, and the Planning Commission did not choose to ask for any changes.

The site plan and building design were unanimously approved paving the way for the architect to apply for a building permit from the City of Clanton This application was anticipated to be made in the next week or so.