Debate Over Land Rezoning at Muscle Shoals City Council Meeting

(City of Muscle Shoals, Alabama-Government/Facebook)

On June 2nd, 2025, the Muscle Shoals City Council convened at City Hall to discuss several items concerning the city. The rezoning of property on Gargis Ln was debated fiercely. The rezoning would allow the city to build infrastructure to alleviate flooding in the area. Members of the public voiced their concerns about the project, saying that there should be a plan in place before the property is rezoned. The Mayor reassured the public, saying that there is a plan in the pipeline to fix the flooding issues. 

• A resolution to allow Mayor Lockhart to sign the land acquisition from Sonny Cornelius was passed unanimously. 

• A man present at the meeting says he is willing to give the council 18 acres of land for the project, in exchange for rezoning land for commercial use to be sold later. The motion to rezone the land to reduce flooding was passed unanimously. 

• An alcohol license for the Plush Sports Bar and Grill LLC was approved unanimously. 

• Public hearings for the rezoning of 4.5 acres of land on Woodward avenue and land on 603 Pilgrim Ave were set for a future date. 

• Mid-year budget amendments were presented to the council. 

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Lockhart addressed the public about the flooding on Gargis Ln. He said that he knows there are concerns but the flooding will be fixed soon, and that the deal with Sonny Cornelius was made to protect residents of the neighborhood. 

The meetings minutes can be found here: https://www.cityofmuscleshoals.com/Default.asp?ID=3&pg=Public+Notice&action=view&aid=107&title=City+Council+Meeting+Agenda+June+2%2C+2025 

Additional information will be added when it has become available.