We Want Our Trailer Park!

"Help us keep our trailer park." Only in Alabama would one be likely to hear that call to arms. It seems a group of residents in extreme North Florence is concerned that a property developer who purchased the Ponderosa Trailer Park four years ago is planning to remove these lovely metal sculptures and replace them with (gasp) patio homes.

Currently, only 11 older trailers (not manufactured homes) dot the old Ponderosa Park, a landmark left from days when this area was still a part of the rural county landscape. Developer Eugene Sak has no plans to bring in more trailers to fill the 15 empty pads that also lie within the park. What Sak does plan to do is remove the trailers from the current R-3 zone, have the property upgraded to R-2, and build presumably nice patio homes. So, what's to object to?

Some residents feel the unsightly trailers are preferable to the 61 proposed patio homes due to possible drainage problems, as well as issues with entrance and egress. Pictured above is opponent William Phillips, a resident of nearby Old Hickory subdivision, as he speaks to a planning commission meeting in April. (Will someone please tell Mr. Phillips that wearing a hat indoors is uncalled for, uncouth, uncool, and just says his mama didn't raise him right in general? Yes, that was a little harsh; perhaps Mr. Phillips was on his way to an audition for the Kentucky Headhunters.)

Florence Assistant Planning Director Robert Muse has assured concerned residents that these issues will be addressed. We have it on good authority that traffic can be controlled with proper design. We have also heard that drainage problems can be mended, even if the neighboring town of Muscle Shoals has always done its best to disprove that.

A second Old Hickory resident, Judy Bullington, objected at the May 19th meeting to plans for some patio homes to include only one garage, "Which is almost unheard of!" Ms. Bullington either doesn't realize that patio homes are favored by singles who find it hard to drive more than one vehicle at a time or is a staunch supporter of the automotive industry. In fact, as I finish typing this, I think I'll go buy a second car; I've really been needing a new bird bath.


What's up with this: Mike Goens' monthly column in the TimesDaily on new local businesses seems to have vanished; or is it just the new businesses?