Council to hold zoning change work session, hear updated Post Office Pies proposal
After mixed reactions in a public hearing, a proposed change that would limit heights of homes on smaller lots in Homewood will be sent to a work session for further discussion.
The zoning change, which was first brought up in the May 16 council meeting, would affect homes in the Neighborhood Preservation District zoning. The goal is to simplify current zoning rules and reduce heights on new homes in the future.
The change to the zoning book would define a house's height by measuring from the bottom of the front door to the peak of the roof. McGrath said this would likely make new houses smaller in order to be in compliance with the rule. The change also removes one of the current height categories: houses on lots under 55 feet in width would have to be 25 feet high or less, and houses on lots over 55 feet wide must be 35 feet high or less under the changed rule.
Two community members spoke at a public hearing on June 13 against the change, citing their concern that the height restriction on lots under 55 feet wide would have an impact on the city's housing market, limit design choice and potentially cause homeowners to choose flatter, less attractive roofs in order to fit two-story homes within the guidelines.
One resident spoke in favor of the change, saying that it was wanted by the owners of single-story homes within the Neighborhood Preservation District. The council decided to set a work session for June 27 at 5 p.m. in the council work chambers in order to further discuss matters.
In the upcoming committee meetings on June 20, Ward 2 Representative Fred Hawkins said council members will hear a new version of West Homewood Development Group's proposal to build a mixed-use development at 165 Oxmoor Road. The proposal currently submitted included a $35,000 purchase price for the lot, a Post Office Pies restaurant and a set of luxury apartments and townhomes on the lot, neighboring Patriot Park.
Hawkins did not give specifics on the new proposal, but said it is "written to guarantee certain revenue to the city" and specifies incentives for the developers. Committee meeting times and agendas will be posted on the city website.
The council also:
- Approved an ordinance to call for the general municipal election on Aug. 23 and a run-off election, if needed, on Oct. 4. Candidates may begin qualifying for council and mayoral elections on July 5.
- Approved the use of ES&S ballot tabulators and systems to count votes in the municipal elections.
- Approved the rezoning of several properties recently annexed into the city as part of Alabama Act 530: 1250 Columbiana Road, 35 West Lakeshore Drive and #1 West Lakeshore Drive.
- Approved a variance for the homeowners at 600 Hambaugh Ave. to build a wooden fence.
- Approved the city's mid-year review. Ward 3 Representative Walter Jones said the city passed all tests during the review.
- Approved funding up to $2,500 for new informational signs downtown.
- Approved the placement of mosquito control advice for residents on the city website.
- Set a June 20 bid opening date for the purchase of police department patrol rifles.
- Set public hearings on June 27 to consider the zoning of properties recently annexed into the city as part of Act 530: 129, 137, 159, 167 and 209 Citation Court.
- Set July 11 public hearings for sign ordinance requests at 929 Oxmoor Road, 2700 19th Place S., 135 West Valley Ave. and 2910 18th St. S.
- Declared a 2003 Ford Expedition as surplus property. The city also declared several alleyways surplus for Mayor Scott McBrayer to enter an easement agreement with ServisFirst Bank, whose headquarters are under construction on 20th Street South.
- Declared three Road King motorcycles surplus to trade in and fund the purchase of a new Road King motorcycle for the police department.
- Sent discussion of right-of-way work at 1728 Oxmoor Road to the public safety committee for discussion. Our Lady of Sorrows Church wants to move a portion of sidewalk on their property seven feet away from the road to make room for three parallel parking spaces. The church cited safety concerns for cars that regularly park there. The council chose to send the issue to committee after Ward 5 Representative Rich Laws expressed concerns and requested time to consider the proposal.