By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – An auto repair business off Alabama 119 in Alabaster soon will add a larger parking lot, and will block the view of the lot from the public after the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission agreed to grant the business more space.

The Commission during its Dec. 15 meeting voted unanimously to combine two pieces of property – the lot currently occupied by the A to Z Auto Repair company and a vacant adjacent lot – to allow the company to add a large parking lot on the currently vacant property.

A to Z Auto Repair, which is near the intersection of Alabama 119 and Meadowlark Place, has seen a rise in business recently, which has caused its current parking lot to become overcrowded, said business owner Phillip Jones.

“The business has grown, and now there’s no place for people to park,” Phillips told Commission members. “If we can get that new parking lot and fence it in, it would empty our current parking lot. I’m just trying to keep everybody happy.”

Ward 7 City Councilman Tommy Ryals, who is also a member of the Planning Commission, said he has received several complaints from residents near the auto repair business regarding the amount of vehicles parked on the property.

Planning Commission members said the property currently is not in compliance with city ordinances because of the number of vehicles parked in plain sight. Phillips said once the new parking lot is added, he plans to bring it up to city guidelines, which will require him to allow buffer zones between the lot and surrounding properties, and will require him to install screened fence or vegetation barriers blocking public view of the new lot.

“We are prepared to fence it and put in bushes and everything we are required to do,” Phillips said.

Planning Commission members said the city will monitor progress at the business to ensure it works to comply with the city ordinances.

“We are giving him the space and opportunity to do what’s right,” Alabaster City Manager and Planning Commission member George Henry said.