By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Some types of businesses, such as cash advance and title pawn shops, may not be allowed in Alabaster’s “Medical Mile” district along U.S. 31 if the City Council passes a resolution defining which businesses can be in the district.

Council members discussed the matter during a Sept. 10 work session, during which Councilwoman Stacy Rakestraw asked the council to consider a moratorium on certain types of businesses in the city.

Alabaster currently is wrapping up a comprehensive planning process with the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, which will determine future plans for the Medical Mile, the old Siluria community and more. The council likely will vote on the comprehensive plan in November.

“My concern is these businesses will come to get business licenses before we can get the comprehensive plan passed,” Rakestraw said, noting 14 cash advance and title pawn businesses are along U.S. 31 and Alabama 119 in the city.

City Attorney Jeff Brumlow said cash advance and title pawn businesses do not generate sales taxes for the city.

Not all council members said they were in favor of issuing a citywide moratorium on certain types of businesses.

“I struggle with telling people what they can and can’t do as a business. Where do you draw the line?” said Council President Scott Brakefield.

Council members Tommy Ryals, Rick Walters and Russell Bedsole voiced similar opinions.

“Fundamentally, I don’t like the way they do business, but I think it’s a slippery slope when you start telling businesses what they can and can’t do,” Bedsole said. “I don’t like the idea of us going down that path.”

After discussing the matter, council members asked Brumlow to draft a resolution laying out which types of businesses are allowed along the Medical Mile, which surrounds Shelby Baptist Medical Center. The list of allowed businesses will not include cash advance and title pawn businesses, and the council likely will vote on it during its Sept. 28 meeting.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at Alabaster City Hall.