Code­­ letter creates confusion

Flomaton Councilwoman Lillian Dean questioned the wording of a letter sent by John Robert Smith, chairman of T4 America, who will be working to help create a Form Based Code for the town of Flomaton.

The council had previously agreed to proceed with the adoption of a Form Based Code with the assurances it would not cost the town any money.

The letter from Smith reads: 'Whereas, the City of Flomaton has received significant information regarding the value of Form Based Code and its positive impact on land use and economic development and whereas, the Mayor and City Council of Flomaton are convinced of the value of Form Based Code as an important and necessary structure to spur health development of Flomaton and whereas, funds must be secured to create a Form Based Code for Flomaton.'

'Therefore, the Mayor and City Council of Flomaton do hereby elect to work with the advisory team of Tucson Atlantic and John Robert Smith, at no cost to Flomaton, to secure the necessary funds from interested state and regional partners in order to create the Form Based Code for Flomaton and do hereby express the City's intent to adopt and implement the code once complete,' the letter concluded.

Dean expressed her concern over the line 'funds must be secured to create a Form Based Code for Flomaton'.

“Why did they put in funds must be secured to create the code?” Dean asked. “Why didn't they say 'We, Transportation for America' will secure the funds?”

Mayor Dewey Bondurant Jr., said he's been assured there will be no cost to the town to develop the code.

In previous meetings the mayor noted that before any money is spent on Form Based Code it will come before the council.