Rosedale rezoning approved for duplexes

The Homewood City Council approved a controversial request to rezone a Rosedale property at its June 9 meeting.

Tim Coker of Coker Holdings plans to renovate two duplexes at 2756 B. M. Montgomery Street as a part of the work of Simon Cyrene Foundation, a ministry Terry Slaughter operates there. The new mixed use zoning will allow the property to also feature a studio space not allowed by its previous Neighborhood Preservation District zoning, in addition to housing interns for Slaughter’s ministry.

Michael Hallman and Britt Thames, who represent Ward 1, voted against the passage; all other present representatives voted in its favor. The Council also approved the final development plan for the property 7-2.

Over the years since Homewood was incorporated in 1928, the Rosedale community’s property was reduced as Montgomery Highway grew and the Homewood Central Business District was developed, which was wedged into the middle of the residential area. Numerous times the city rezoned Rosedale property from residential to business purposes. It’s this historical pattern that now concerns Rosedale residents.

“The proposed plan, by Mr. Terry Slaughter, to have property rezoned for multipurpose use, is yet, another attempt to commercialize the Rosedale neighborhood,” Rosedale resident Vernessa Curry wrote in a letter to the Council, asking that the Council oppose the rezoning as “we continue our ongoing struggle to save and preserve what little acreage that remains of our historic community.”

The Council delayed the vote on the rezoning at its May 12 meeting to allow time for Slaughter to meet with residents and further explain his proposal and his ministry. The Homewood Planning Commission had tied 3-3 on its request to recommend the rezoning at its April 1 meeting.

At a Town Hall Meeting Council Member Britt Thames hosted on May 20, Slaughter provided more details on his plans, and Rosedale residents spoke up with questions and comments in favor of and in opposition to his plans. Eighty people attended.

During the meeting, the Council also:

Approved a request for consideration of lease for the Exceptional Foundation for 1610 and 1612 Oxmoor Road. In April, the Council voted to rezone the previously residential properties behind the Foundation, where it plans to build a one-story youth center and additional parking. The Foundation plans to transfer ownership of the property to the City lease back to it.

Sent to the finance committee a request to authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with Walter Schoel Engineering Company, Inc. for professional consulting and preliminary engineering services for the West Homewood Re-development Project. This would provide a preliminary engineering document with cost estimates for the entire plan so the City can consider which projects will move forward. Schoel will work with Kyle D’Agostino with GA Studio on the project.

Approved a request to rezone 3006 Cook Street, which is a vacant building located off Oxmoor Road near U.S. 31, from C-1 (Office Use) to C-2 (Neighborhood Shopping District) for use as a beauty salon/barber shop. Thornton H. Ratliff of TDG Cook Street, LLC owns the property and applied for its rezoning. An established upscale hair salon currently located in Mountain Brook plans to relocate to the space. The Planning Commission had recommended it by a vote of 6 to 0.

Approved a request to authorize the mayor to enter into a contract with MBA Engineers for $17,000 for design fees for the Rumson Road Sidewalk Project that was previously approved in Work Session/Finance Committee. The Council had originally approved $10,000 for the project.

Approved a 15 foot set-back variance to the Fence Ordinance at 1618 Roseland Drive at the request of Merilyn Hand of Twin Construction. The homeowner desires to install a 6-foot fence in the backyard of the corner lot.

Set public hearings for June 23 regarding a variance from the provisions of the fence ordinance to allow the installation of a proposed split-rail fence approximately five (5) feet from the front lot line along Hampton Drive; a variance to the Driveway Ordinance for the property located at 213 Woodland Drive; a variance to the Sign Ordinance for the property located at 280 West Valley; and declaring 3016 Firefighter Lane public nuisances due to a violation of Ordinance1910 & 1750 for excessive growth.Approved a consideration of fiscal year 2013-2014 mid-year review per fiscal policy.