Talladega council changes zoning ordinance

The Talladega City Council voted 4-0 on Monday to approve some changes to the zoning ordinance to curb the proliferation of “deferred presentment services,” better known as payday lenders and title pawn businesses.

City officials say there are currently 22 such businesses licensed in town, some of them on the same block as similar establishments.

Of those, 16 are on Battle Street between the court house and Wal-Mart.

After a great deal of study, City officials say it was determined “the most reasonable method of regulation would be to adopt radius zone buffers. These are proposed to be 1,000 feet from any residential zoning district or any existing deferred presentment service. This requirement will prevent further clustering of these businesses.”

The revisions also include specific definitions of bank, savings and loan and credit union, which the old ordinance lacked.

Banks, savings and loans and credit unions will be allowed in the C-1, neighborhood commercial zones, whereas deferred presentment services will be limited to C-3, general commercial areas.

The changes approved Monday night will not force any of the existing businesses to close,. It will also not prevent the transfer of the license from one business operator to another, as long as the business remains in continuous operation.

The amendment also included more precise definitions of “clubs, lodges, lounges, bars and night clubs.

Under this change, night clubs will be limited to higher traffic, C-3 areas. Clubs, lounges and bars may still operate in C-1.