Clanton’s City Council on Monday denied a property owner’s request to have a piece of property re-zoned from business to residential.

The council debated the topic for several meetings, since the city’s zoning board recommended the request be accommodated.

The property was zoned business during a comprehensive plan for the city in 2007. No one lived in the residence, located off Seventh Street North across from Goose Pond Park, when it was zoned for business, and the owner said he was not notified.

Council members questioned whether the property owner should have known about the zoning when he sought a license to perform renovations to the house, but he said he was told by a city worker that he didn’t need a license.

After hearing from the property owner and his attorney, council members present voted unanimously to deny the request.

Councilman Jeff Price was absent from the meeting.

The property owner’s attorney indicated he would seek other measures of relief, since he has been unable to sell the property for commercial purposes.

Mayor Billy Joe Driver said the city would consider alternative including the city purchasing the property, which borders city park property.

In other business, the council:

•Approved a 50-cent an hour raise for all city employees. Driver said the raise is an increase of about 3 percent for most employees. The raises were accounted for in the city’s budget.

•Purchased five acres of land and a house for $150,000. The property is located near the property the city allows the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce to use, and borders other city property.

•Approved the transfer of a tax abatement from Boatright Railroad Products to Stella-Jones, the company that purchased Boatright.

•Was reminded of the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce’s Trick or Treat Streets event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday in downtown Clanton.

•Commended a group of residents in the West End community for their work in cleaning up their neighborhood.

•Approved the minutes from the Oct. 13 meeting and paying necessary bills.