New form-based zoning code still under discussion

The planning and development committee continued discussing what would be included in a new “form-based” zoning code during its April 6 meeting.

The zoning code would create more unity in the regulations for commercial and other properties within the city’s central business district. The question under discussion Monday was over the boundaries of this proposed district. Committee members agreed on a southern border of Oxmoor Road, an eastern border defined by Highway 31 and a northern border of Rosedale Drive and 18th Street South.

However, they could not reach a consensus over the western border due to the large number of homes and apartment complexes that could fall within the new district.

This form-based zoning code started out as a proposal for Reese Street but has since expanded to include much of Homewood’s commercial area. Because of this change, the committee decided to drop the original item and introduce a new agenda item for consideration of a “central business district revitalization and zoning study.”

The new item will be included in the city council’s committee referral agenda during its April 13 meeting. The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCBG) will also create a proposal of its own suggested borders for the committee to consider.

During the meeting, the planning and development committee also:

• Carried over an update on city sidewalk projects
• Dropped a request for alleviation of stagnant water buildup on Edgewood Boulevard. The item was dropped due to an estimated cost of $350,000, as well as the potential obstacles of sewer and utility lines in the area.
• Discussion of a “bike share” program analysis was carried over while the committee waits for a proposal from the RPCBG.