Planning Commission

Meetings

Required / Purpose: The Planning Commission is charged with developing and adopting the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Opelika. Its broad responsibility is to plan for the orderly physical development of the City. The Commission is responsible for the implementation of subdivision regulations, including the review and approval of new subdivisions.  It also conducts public hearings concerning rezoning proposals and makes recommendations to the City Council concerning the same.

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Proposed Text Amendment for Zoning Ordinance Meeting 9.28.2021 (PDF)

April 28, 2020 - Planning Commission Meeting Summary

Members

  • Length of Term:  6-year terms.
  • Appointed by:  One member is the Mayor or his designee; one member is an administrative official of the City Council chosen by the Mayor; one member is a member of the City Council chosen by the Council. The other 6 appointments are made by the Mayor.

The Planning Commission consists of nine members: the mayor, one administrative official selected by the mayor, a member of the City Council (ex officio), and six persons who are appointed by the mayor. Current members are as follows:

  • Lewis Cherry, Chairman
    February 16, 2017 - February 15, 2023
  • Ira Silberman, Vice Chairman
    February 16, 2019 - February 15, 2025
  • Gary Fuller, Mayor
     November 3, 2020 - November 4, 2024
  • Lucinda Cannon, Member
    February 16, 2016 - February 15, 2022
  • Robert Lofton, Member
    November 3, 2020 - November 4, 2024
  • Michael J. Hilyer, Member
    February 16, 2020 - February 15, 2026
  • Derek Lee, Member
    November 4, 2020 - November 3, 2026
  • Arturo Menefee, Member
     February 16, 2021 - February 15, 2027
  • Leigh Whatley, Member
    September 16, 2020 - February 15, 2024

About the Commission

The City of Opelika Planning Commission hears rezoning, preliminary and final subdivisions, conditional uses, annexations, and vacation requests. The Commission makes recommendations to the City Council concerning rezoning, Zoning Ordinance amendments, annexations, and vacations. The Commission also serves as an advisory committee to the City Council on development concerns.

For more information about the Planning Commission or to submit an application, contact the Planning Department at 334-705-5156.