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Sydney Cromwell
Creative Montessori Construction
Creative Montessori School representatives present plans for construction of a new preschool building, dining area and drop-off lane.
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Sydney Cromwell
Creative Montessori School
Creative Montessori School representatives present plans for construction of a new preschool building, dining area and drop-off lane.
3 of 3
Sydney Cromwell
Creative Montessori Construction
Creative Montessori School representatives present plans for construction of a new preschool building, dining area and drop-off lane.
At its July 7 meeting, the Planning Commission decided to approve an amendment to Creative Montessori School's development plan despite concerns over parking.
The school wants to tear down its current preschool building and build a new 13,500-square-foot building. Representatives from Creative Montessori showed these plans, along with renderings of renovations to the library, a larger dining room and a new two-lane drop-off area at the school's front entrance.
Currently the school is at maximum enrollment, but the representatives said this new construction would create around 10 additional spots for students. As part of the construction, Creative Montessori is requesting a parking variance to build 16 additional parking spaces, some of which will be in the city right-of-way. The school will be going before the Board of Zoning Appeals on Thursday for this and other construction variances.
Commission members expressed concern over adequate parking while construction is ongoing and for major school functions where large numbers of parents would be on the campus. The representatives noted that they are looking at the possibility of buying a property across the street from the school for additional parking, but did not give further details.
The commission voted 6-2 to approve the school's construction plan contingent on the BZA's variance approval and the creation of a parking plan for the construction time period.
At the same meeting, a long discussion resulted in several amendments to West Homewood's development ordinance and the dismantling of the short-lived Community Development Review Committee. The commission approved a large number of amendments intended to clarify the ordinance and remove duplication between it and the larger city zoning book. Other matters, such as the height limits on buildings and operating hours of bars and taverns, were also discussed. Lodging was removed from the West Homewood District's permitted uses, as well.
As of now, new developments in West Homewood will be reviewed by city staff and the Planing Commission for approval without having to first go through the CDRC, just like other parts of Homewood. City engineer Vanessa McGrath said the development ordinance is "extremely detailed" and any new development would have to meet those guidelines before being approved by the Planning Commission. Variance requests would be brought before the BZA for a public hearing before approval.
The CDRC was a plan to improve aesthetics and building standards in West Homewood, but after one meeting the Planning Commission decided that the committee was inefficient and created extra, unnecessary meetings.
Other Planning Commission business included:
- Carrying over discussion of a potential car sales lot at 187 Oxmoor Road. The applicant was unable to return to Homewood in time for the meeting. The commission still allowed public comment, but questions about the nature of the business were unable to be answered without the applicant.
- Approving plans by Dunn Real Estate to demolish the remaining portion of the warehouse at the old Mazer's building at 800 Green Springs Highway. Dunn representative Chris Hoyt explained that the demolition would make room for more parking. He also stated that he expects the building to be fully leased by the end of 2015.
- Approving the removal of an interior lot line on Brookwood Medical Center property for the construction of a new orthopedics building and parking deck.
- Approving a request by Ward 2 Representative Fred Smith and his neighbors to resurvey lot lines at the 612 Northmoor Lane property. The resurvey would accommodate the neighbors' driveway, which must cross into Hawkins' property to access their carport.
