By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

A portion of Seventh Street South will be rezoned for a future business following approval from the Clanton City Council.

The Clanton City Council unanimously approved a rezoning request for 712 Seventh Street from R2- single and two family residential district to B2- general business district during a meeting on April 23.

A public hearing was held on the rezoning request before the vote, but no comments were made by members of the community.

The City Council chose to suspend the rules, requiring a vote to be on another day, in order to bring the rezoning request for an immediate vote.

Mayor Billy Joe Driver said the rezoning was required to be published before it became official.

He said the waterline running through the property will also have to be considered in any building plans for the site.

Progress is also moving forward on the Little Free Pantry project.

Rachel Davidson of Three Hearts, One Mission presented the City Council with an update on locations for the pantries. Trinity Episcopal Church and Zion Ridge Church of God have agreed to have a pantry on their property. The Little Free Pantry will be a wooden cabinet outside the church building filled with non-perishable food and will be accessible to the public to take what they need 24 hours a day.

“We have them built and ready to go,” Davidson said.

The West End Neighborhood Watch presented the City Council with its 2017 Annual Report recapping what the community organization had accomplished in the past year. Organization President Jackie Baker expressed appreciation for the city’s support.