Resident seeks second electrical meter; city says single‑family zoning blocks permit until zoning change

A resident, Calvin Bennett, urged the commission to approve a second electrical meter for a property he said contains two living units. Bennett told the commission he had obtained permits, electrical work, and documentation from Florida Power & Light and Dade County that the property is now recorded as multifamily, and he asked the city to issue the meter split so utilities and bills can be separated.
Planning Director Gregory Gay and other staff told the commission the property remains zoned single‑family in Opelika; under current local code the city cannot authorize an additional separate utility meter on a parcel zoned single‑family. Gay confirmed the city is researching accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or cross‑parcel legislation to address properties that historically contain two structures. The manager and planning staff said they are working on ordinance options and recommended the resident work with community development while staff pursues potential code changes.
Several commissioners sympathized and urged staff to accelerate the code review, but said the commission could not unilaterally grant a meter while the parcel remained single‑family under city zoning. The manager said a legislative change to permit accessory or two‑unit properties in certain pockets could resolve similar cases in the future; staff will return to the commission with proposed language.
Speakers: Calvin Bennett (resident) and Gregory Gay (planning director).