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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

A new traffic pattern will take effect soon in Clanton after ordinance 2023-07 was read and approved unanimously by the Clanton City Council on May 8. The ordinance authorized traffic control changes and improvements to both Arthur Drive and Willis Circle in the Clanton Housing Authority.

“The city council of Clanton, Alabama has determined it serves a public purpose to implement changes and improvements to certain city streets and intersections within the city of Clanton to improve the flow of traffic and create a safer environment for all citizens,” Clanton city councilman Billy Singleton said during the reading of the ordinance.

From the intersection of Arthur Drive and Ollie Avenue, the road will turn into a one-way road for through traffic to the intersection of Arthur Drive and Yellowleaf Road. Also, Willis Circle from the northernmost intersection of Willis Circle and Arthur Drive will be a one-way road for through traffic to the southernmost intersection of Arthur Drive and Willis Circle.

Parking will be available on the left side of the roads which will leave adequate space on the right side for residents, first responders and others to get down the road easily. The city of Clanton has already implemented one-way roads in its West End Housing Authority community. The council said the results were positive and cut down on road blockages from residents parking on both sides of the road.

The changes include implementing a maximum speed limit of 15 mph along the entirety of Arthur Drive and Willis Circle. The council added that they will approve any expenses, if there are any, for any traffic control signage, road markings or speed bumps needed to make the changes.

The ordinance will take effect as soon as possible, but not before the proper signage and markings have been put in. Any previous ordinance or language conflicting with the new set up of both Arthur Drive and Willis Circle was amended or repealed. The council suspended the meeting rules to be able to vote on the ordinance immediately, and it was approved unanimously.

Ordinance 2023-06 was also read for the first time at the council meeting which considered multiple changes to the city zoning ordinances that address accessory buildings, billboards and wrecker services.

Clanton Mayor Jeff Mims said at a May 4 work session that the ordinance would limit accessory buildings, such as large sheds, to one per acre. Size restrictions on these such buildings were also included in the ordinance.

Changes to the billboard ordinance set restrictions on the size and placement of them in certain areas. Mims said at the May 4 work session that there are two existing billboards outside of the proposed zones, but these would be “grandfathered in” and allowed to stay up.

Copies of both ordinance 2023-06 and 2023-07 are available for public view in the city clerk’s office in Clanton City Hall during normal business hours.

The council passed resolution 2023-05-08-01 unanimously to accept a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant awarded through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) for a splash pad and pedestrian walking bridge at Ollie Park. The grant will cover half of the $457,531.90 project with the city of Clanton paying for the other half.