met with opposition on Thursday

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

Jan. 25, 2000 10 PM

An issue scheduled to go before the Troy Zoning Board this week is expected to be met with some opposition.

A public hearing will be held Thursday at 4 p.m. on the rezoning request of a lot at the corner of George Wallace Drive and Highland Avenue, which reportedly has some citizens upset.

The request states the Auburn-based company Game Day Center Southeast wants the property rezoned from single family, low-density residential to general commercial property for the purpose of building a four-story condominium complex.

Troy City Planner Calvin Lott said the structure "would be used like sky boxes" during sporting events at Richard M. Scrushy Field at Memorial Stadium, which is across the street from the lot in question.

According to Don Curenton, spokesman for the company, Game Day Center Southeast plans to work with a local construction firm on the project, which will include a 30-condominium complex and a ground-floor lobby area.

The condos are expected to be two-bedroom efficiency with balconies overlooking the stadium or parking lot, depending on which direction the condo faces.

Each unit will be privately owned and owners will have to agree on how the ground floor will be used, Curenton said.

Residents are fearful of just that.

Virginia Trapp, who lives on Highland Avenue, is adamantly opposed to the rezoning request.

"I don’t like them saying there’s going to be a bar and grill," Trapp said, adding "the owners can let anyone in."

Trapp and her neighbors plan to be present at the Thursday afternoon meeting.

She hopes "a big crowd is there" to voice opposition to the change.

"I’ve live 47 years on this street and I want it to stay the way it is," Trapp said.

Another problem Trapp and others living in the area have is the traffic congestion they believe the proposed complex will cause.

"It will be almost impossible to pull out of Highland Avenue," Trapp said.

She said George Wallace Drive is already "a horrible mess" on game day.

Trapp, whose husband spent 30-plus years teaching at Troy State University, said she supports the school, but thinks "Troy State is trying to take over this part of town."