By CASSANDRA MICKENS / Associate Editor

COLUMBIANA — The Alabama Power General Services Complex in Calera has petitioned the Shelby County Department of Development Services to designate a tract of land adjacent to the complex as an industrial park.

During the Shelby County Commission’s April 14 meeting, County Manager Alex Dudchock said a public hearing will be set during the commission’s April 28 meeting to discuss Alabama Power’s request. Following the public hearing, the commission will take formal action when it meets again in May.

In an April 10 memorandum from the county Department of Development Services to the commission, the commission designated the existing General Services Complex as an industrial park in 1981.  Approximately 185 acres of the complex remained unzoned with 78 acres were zoned M-1, Light Industrial.  The remaining acreage was zoned A-1, Agriculture District and was primarily agricultural at the time. The remaining A-1 portion of the complex was rezoned to M-1, Light Industrial by the Shelby County Planning Commission in July 2013.

“As the facility has continued to expand operations, more space is needed for laydown areas, training fields, new buildings and warehousing of materials,” the memorandum reads.

The GSC is located at 744 Shelby County 87 near the Shelby County Airport.