Then there would have to be a vote, and then the county could start zoning. Elmore County Commissioner Mickey Shaw said the key to the bill's success is that zoning would be initiated by the citizens and would require their vote. He also said densely populated areas need zoning, but there will be hurdles to jump before the public agrees. So many people have the view that zoning is going to tell them what they can do with their land, and that is not the case. Zoning creates areas in cities and towns that are dedicated to promoting certain types of structures.
Commercial zones are areas dedicated for businesses.
Residential areas would separate houses from businesses, and some types of residential areas ensure construction of houses of similar value there. Sharpless said the increasing population in unincorporated areas means legislators could grant some authority to commissioners to grant zoning to protect land owners' investments. It's getting so that so many people are moving out into the unincorporated areas, and they begin to compete over uses for the land. State Rep. Mac Gipson, R-Prattville, said the issue of zoning outside the city limits has been around for some time. It's still a split situation here, so I'll have to take a real close look at it.