Tracy Kelly Applies For Open Seat On Northport Planning & Zoning

NORTHPORT, AL — Former Northport Planning and Zoning Commissioner and City Council candidate Tracy Kelly has applied to fill a vacant seat on the Commission.

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The Northport City Council will vote Monday evening on the appointment. If Kelly is approved to fill the vacancy, the term would expire on Dec. 31.

Her appointment comes to the council with a favorable recommendation from its Administrative Committee.

The Northport Planning & Zoning Commission is an advisory board tasked with implementing the city's comprehensive plan and making decisions related to the subdivision of land within the city limits. It consists of six members serving six-year staggered terms and three members serving four-year terms.

Kelly served on the Northport Planning and Zoning Commission for one year in 2016, before resigning after taking a new job outside of Tuscaloosa County. During the 2016 Northport municipal election, she also received 38% of the vote in the District 4 City Council race against Robby Davis.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent on the commission and would love to engage in community involvement through the commission, again," she said in her application letter. "I have gained significant community and economic development experience since 2016 including serving as members of local Chambers of Commerce in Fayette and Marion counties as well as the Northwest Economic Development Alliance which supports Fayette, Lamar and Marion counties."

Kelly also said she completed the Economic Development Intensive course offered at Auburn University in 2018.

According to her resume, Kelly is a longtime employee of Alabama Power Co., where she currently works as an accounting services manager. She holds an MBA from Samford University and Bachelor of Science in General Business from the University of Alabama.

"During my tenure serving the northwest counties of the APC service territory, I developed relationships with local municipality and county leaders and worked as a liaison to support their economic development initiatives," she said. "I am well qualified to serve the City of Northport in its current and future planning activities to improve and grow our great city."

Apart from her professional endeavors, Kelly is also involved with the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, United Way of West Alabama, the West Alabama Food Bank and others.

The Northport City Council will take up Kelly's appointment at its next regular meeting on Aug. 1 at 5:30 p.m.

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