STAR SPANGLED HOMEWOOD
A community fundraiser & patriotic decorating contest celebrating Homewood's centennial and America's 250th anniversary.
NEWS
Pre-Council Meeting - June 22, 2026
The City of Homewood is committed to responsible planning and ensuring that future growth aligns with the long-term interests of the community. In connection with the proposed temporary moratorium on data center development, the City wishes to provide the following information to residents, businesses, and stakeholders. No permanent zoning regulations are being adopted through this ordinance. Currently, the City of Homewood has no pending applications for the development of a data center. The proposed ordinance is a temporary measure intended to provide the City with adequate time to evaluate and prepare for the potential impacts of this emerging land use and to ensure that future development is consistent with the public health, safety, and welfare of the community. The City is currently engaged in a comprehensive review of its Comprehensive Plan and recognizes the importance of establishing thoughtful policies and regulations that address evolving development trends. During the moratorium period, the City intends to study and develop standards and regulations specifically applicable to data center facilities. The purpose of this review is to determine whether zoning, operational, buffering, infrastructure, or other development standards should be adopted before such facilities are considered within the City. The City's review will focus on several key considerations, including: • Infrastructure planning and long-term capacity; • Utility demands and potential impacts on public services; • Compatibility with existing and future land uses; • Preservation of the character and quality of life within the community; and The temporary moratorium will provide the opportunity for careful evaluation and informed decision-making. During this period, City staff and the Planning Commission will study potential regulations applicable to data center facilities and will present any proposed zoning or development standards through the City's normal public review process. Residents, property owners, businesses, and other stakeholders will have opportunities to review proposed regulations, provide comments, and participate in public meetings before any permanent zoning regulations are considered for adoption by the City Council. The City intends to work collaboratively with the Planning Commission and to encourage public engagement throughout this process to ensure that any future regulations reflect the needs and priorities of the Homewood community. This temporary action is a proactive planning measure and should not be interpreted as opposition to economic development or technological investment. Rather, it reflects the City's commitment to responsible growth, sound infrastructure planning, and the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of its residents.
Microtransit is officially coming to Homewood, adding an on-demand option to move around our city. It works just like ride sharing whereby riders will be able to request a trip through an app and get picked up nearby, with routes designed in real time to keep trips efficient and wait times low. The service is expected to begin in early July and will provide point-to-point transportation anywhere within the city limits for just $1.50 per trip. We'll be sharing additional details soon, including how to download the app, request rides, service hours, and other information to help residents get started. How the pilot is being funded? The initial phase, running from July 2026 through September 2027, is fully funded through the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham , at about $792,000. This allows the city to launch the service without immediate long-term cost commitments. After that, projected annual costs are expected to be around $610,000 to $630,000, depending on how the service is adjusted over time, with up to three vehicles operating during set service hours. This pilot approach gives Homewood time to see how people actually use the system, where demand is strongest, and how the service can be refined. It also keeps flexibility built in, with the ability to adjust hours, coverage, and fleet size based on real data. City leaders are optimistic that this will become a convenient and meaningful way for many in our community to get where they need to go. To learn more about this program check here: https://maxtransit.org/ondemand/ You can also VIEW THE PRESENTATION presented to the Council on April 13, 2026.
Star Spangled Homewood is a community fundraiser and patriotic decorating contest celebrating Homewood's Centennial and America's 250th anniversary. At the heart of this effort are three organizations that serve our community throughout the year. With a $25 donation, you can support the Homewood Police Foundation , the Homewood Fire Foundation , and the Homewood Patriot Band . Every dollar goes directly to the organization you select. In return, you will receive a commemorative Star Spangled Homewood yard sign. A second way to participate is through a decorating contest. Between now and June 26, residents, businesses, and even entire streets can put up patriotic displays in their areas. Judging will take place July 1 through July 3 with categories that include Best Home, Best Business, Best Street, and Best HWD100 Spirit, with special Homewood themed prizes awarded to the winners. To donate, register, or learn more, visit starspangledhwd.com . Questions? Connect with Ward 3 Councilor Chris Lane: chrislaneward3@gmail.com .
The early results from citizen engagement offers a very positive picture of how residents feel about the city, while also helping shape priorities for the future. And citizen-survey responses showed overwhelming satisfaction with quality of life in Homewood, especially when it comes to schools, parks, public safety, and neighborhood character. At the same time, residents made it clear they want to protect what makes Homewood special while continuing to address important challenges like traffic, drainage, sidewalks, infrastructure, and connectivity across the city. Feedback from workshops and surveys will help guide long term planning discussions as Homewood works on a roadmap for the next 25 years. Homewood’s current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2007. Since then, a lot has changed, and more change is coming. With the city moving to a Council-Manager form of government , this is a key time to clarify what matters most to residents. The plan will help inform capital improvements, public service priorities, housing trends, transportation needs, and future land use. It will also give newly elected officials clear direction on what the community values. Your Voice, Your City Every resident will have a chance to be involved. This isn’t just a document, it’s a shared vision for Homewood’s future, shaped by the people who live here. The plan will reflect the needs of each of the city’s four wards and identify short, medium, and long-term projects for both public and private investment. Whether it's about where new housing fits, what kinds of businesses we want, or how we move around, this process is about making those choices together. Previous Meetings PUBLIC MEETING 4 Wednesday, May 20, 2026 PUBLIC MEETING 3 Tuesday, May 19, 2026 WATCH VIDEO VIEW PRESENTATION PUBLIC MEETING 2 Thursday, January 29, 2026 PUBLIC MEETING 1 Wednesday, January 28, 2026 WATCH WORKSHOP VIDEO
Two popular topics were discussed during the June 8 Pre-Council meeting. These were Alabama's new consumable hemp product licensing law and the possibility of a temporary moratorium related to data centers. It is important to note that these were discussion items only. No decisions were made, and no policies were adopted on either topic. To move these forward, they would return through the public Pre-Council and Council meeting process for additional discussion and consideration before any action is taken. Data Center Moratorium The data center discussion focused on whether Homewood should consider a moratorium on data center applications while zoning regulations are reviewed. A moratorium would pause the acceptance and review of any new data center applications. There have been questions about a proposed data center project near Lakeshore Parkway. As clarification, that project is located within the City of Birmingham and is subject to Birmingham's approval process, not Homewood's. Hemp Licenses Homewood's City attorneys provided information about Alabama's recently enacted licensing system for consumable hemp products. Under state law, cities play a role in the license application process, but the ABC Board makes the final decision on whether to approve a license and enforces the laws on what can be sold under the license. There are three license categories to be considered, shown below. Municipalities can allow any number of them, all of them, or none of them: 1. Licenses for grocery stores to sell certain beverages. 2. Licenses for pharmacies to sell certain pharmacy-related products. 3. Specialty retailer licenses, which are only for package stores and standalone hemp retailers.
CITIZEN SURVEY
Thank you for your feedback! The citywide resident survey responses were overwhelmingly positive in nearly every category measured, including quality of life, public safety, schools, parks, and library services.
A Century of Homewood
1926-2026
Founded in 1926, Homewood’s story has always been shaped by the people who call it home. This year is about honoring where we have been and celebrating where we are headed together.
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