Environmental Commission to look at downtown tree solutions

The Homewood Environmental Commission has some ideas in mind to tree damage to downtown businesses without removing the trees on 18th Street South.

In an Aug. 31 special issues committee meeting, HEC member Liz Ellaby said the commission has already been in discussion with downtown business owners, who had brought their concerns to the council about repetitive building floods.

Ellaby said the HEC has solutions in mind that could replace the trees or relocate them “in a way that would please the merchants but still maintain some trees.” She did not go into more detail but said this would be a long-term action.

The HEC next meets at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8 in the Homewood Library's Room 106. Ellaby said downtown business owners would be attending.

“I think we’re looking for tree solutions, not tree elimination here,” Ward 5 Representative Peter Wright said in response to a listening resident's concern that the city would remove the trees entirely.

The council carried over discussion to await the outcome of the HEC meeting.

Other discussion at the Aug. 31 committee meetings included:

• A request by Brookwood Village for a sign variance allowing signage to be replaced on a retaining wall on the property. Mall representatives said they are in negotiations with national retail chains to occupy space on the first floor of the building, and having space available for their signs would make Brookwood more attractive to new tenants. This will have a public hearing on Sept. 14.
• Discussion of closing Oak Grove Road from Oxmoor Road to Hall Avenue on Oct. 23 for a neighborhood party. Ward 2 Representative Fred Hawkins suggested the party as a way to celebrate the end of a road project and new businesses such as Oak and Raleigh. Hawkins said he's planning on live music, inflatables and other activities.
• A request for traffic calming measures on Cobb Street and Raleigh Avenue. Residents there said drivers are going too quickly for a residential street near an elementary school. The city is going to make sure there are enough speed limit signs in the area and request that the police do patrols there.
• Considering a pavement management system agreement with Volkert Engineering and ALDOT. Homewood will pay $9,600 out of the total cost of the system, which is around $48,000. The planning of the system will take about 60 days, Volkert representatives said, and allow the city to make smart paving choices. This was sent to the council for a vote.
• Dropping a request for a crosswalk at Central Avenue and Reese Street. The city is already working on a restriping project in the area and the crosswalk will be included in that.