City looking at new downtown zoning

The city council is in the early stages of updating the master plan for Homewood’s downtown business districts.

At a Feb. 2 planning and development committee meeting, committee members discussed changes to a “form-based” zoning code for Reese Street. A form-based zoning code regulates the physical appearance of buildings to create a cohesive urban look.

Committee chairman and Ward 5 Place 2 Representative Peter Wright said the meeting was just the beginning of a long discussion to make more “harmonious” districts.

“We have 10 different zones just in our downtown area, and it’s really to plan how our downtown will look in the future,” Wright said.

City engineer Vanessa McGrath said the council is working with the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham on a long-term proposal to change zoning ordinances for the central business district. This includes the area roughly encompassed by Rosedale Drive and Oxmoor Road to the north and south, and Highway 31 and Central Avenue to the east and west.

Darrell Howard, the deputy planning director for the RPCGB, said there has not yet been an agreement between the planning commission and the city. However, he said the city is looking at ways to make the area more welcoming to new businesses while preserving existing businesses and neighborhoods.

“They want to make it a little bit easier for development to occur, but at the same time they want to protect their citizens and the existing development,” Howard said.

Updating the master plan will include ways to streamline existing regulations for parking, signs, bus stops and other downtown elements. Wright said it’s possible the number of zones will be reduced. Resident and business input will also factor into the process, and Howard said new bike lanes might also be on the table.

“Homewood has really been looking to make themselves more livable, more attractive as an urban place,” Howard said.

There is no guarantee yet that the city will move forward with the update plans, and Wright said the city will need to procure funding for the study and proposal first. However, Howard said the process should take about a year to complete if an agreement is made.