SPRINGVILLE — A hastily passed ordinance that stopped a car wash from being built next to a city councilman's accounting office was even more hastily rescinded on Tuesday.

Councilman J. Niel Strong, who proposed the moratorium at the last City Council meeting, was absent when the council voted to rescind it. When Strong proposed the ordinance he said he didn't want the car wash next to his office.

The ordinance that temporarily restricted building permits of outdoor businesses in the city's historic commercial area bypassed the planning commission. Councilman Mark Packard said it should pass the commission's review before the council considers it again.

"It's important that we do a review of the changes," Packard said. "There needs to be a look-see and have the planning commission look at it and see if any changes need to be made."

"I'm in favor of rescinding it," Councilman Ben Jolley said.

The original ordinance stopped outdoor business construction in the historic district until officials work out buffer and setback policies between buildings. The car wash would be about 5 feet from his office window, Strong, an accountant, said in the earlier meeting.

The moratorium banned any new building permits for six months for construction or remodeling next to established businesses while city staff worked out a permanent setback and buffer ordinance. The historic district has no requirements for buffers between buildings.

The historic district lies generally between 400 North, 400 East, 400 West and 800 South. The ordinance was limited only to the historic area to avoid interference with construction in the developing areas next to I-15.

The moratorium also affected repair businesses, nurseries, service stations, outdoor storage, display or loading for retailers, vehicle rentals and sales, mobile home sales and other outdoor commercial uses.

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