Shelby County’s “Comrade Manager”

Shelby County, Alabama's “Comrade Manager”, a position permanently  created by the County's Home rule amendment, is charged with the responsibility to enforce the County's socialistic “sustainable development”¹ "comprehensive plan".   The "Manager" holding extensive authority, as indicated by his organizational chart, seeks to extend a socialist grip over areas of the county not currently under his full authority.  His efforts include "zoning" - one of the "out-of-the box methods, tools and techniques"² designed to facilitate society's transition to "sustainable development".  Socialistic plans, i.e "sustainable development" are clearly laid out in the "zoning brochure", mailed during the month of July, 2005, to the voters in the I-65 District "Beat"  located on the western side of the county.  The mailing included a letter requesting the voter to petition local officials to call for a vote on "zoning".

The brochure -

"Control", a word often used to describe a socialist system, may in this case be an understatement.  This conclusion may readily be drawn from the "Comrade Manager's" opening statement on page two of his "zoning brochure" :

"The fundamental purpose of zoning, is to promote the public health, safety, morals and general welfare."

Clarifying this broad statement for the reader, he stipulates some of the specific uses to which zoning regulation will be used to socialize Shelby County's society:

"..limit the improper use of land"

Proper use of land, a right once known to be the domain of the private property owner, will under the authority of the "county commission's" mandate, be transferred to the "Comrade Manager".

"..Establish the location and size of and the specific uses for which dwellings, buildings and structures may be erected or altered, and establish for the minimum open spaces.."

The quote, first reinforces the adamant position that "improper land use" will not be tolerated and ends the establishment of a minimum requirement for "open space".  Condemnation of personal property at current use value for the purpose of maintaining "open space" has already occurred in New Jersey.  This fact should be of grave concern for residents of Shelby County.  Signifying joy at the dissolution of private rights, the mayor of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey stated: "We're elated".  The mayor, no doubt, expressed the sentiments of "Comrade Manager".

"The Zoning Regulations also regulate the location and height of buildings and other structures including the amount of land that may be covered by buildings or paving,...and the sizes of yards and other open spaces"

A yard declared to be "too large" or "too small" by the county will likely result in a "nonconforming edict".  Residents desiring to "conform" will be designated "contented citizens".  Where will your lot fall?

1.  Shelby County's comprehensive plan "A Path to the Future" section II page 49:  Objective ED-5 Embrace sustainable community economic development strategies to focus on “growth without expansion” through sustainable development.

2.  ibid section III page 1