Committee Meetings 10/02/23

FINANCE HIGHLIGHTS


Finance committee 10/02/23. Highlights of some of the items discussed:


1. No bids were presented for a bid opening set for revised paving projects. Director of Public Works, Berkley Squires, stated the project was too small for many companies that do the type of work needed. Item was dropped for now.


2. Sent to council a request to add an amendment to the Cahaba Solid Waste contract allowing for a fuel rebate.



3. Sent to council a request to consider changes to the city's credit card purchasing policies. Discussion mentioned too many credit cards are being used outside of policy regulations. Committee also proposed an increase from $60 per day to $75 per day for meal reimbursement for employees that may travel. This was to better match today's price expectations when eating.


Watch the full video above to learn more about all the items presented.


PUBLICS SAFETY HIGHLIGHTS


Public Safety committee 10/02/23. Highlights of some of the items discussed:


1. Committee discussed a request for consideration of adjustments to criteria for approval of events impacting normal street flow and access. Suggestions included raising the fee for race permits to $200 per race, up from $50; race route signs must be posted 7 days in advance in the areas affected; data and other information from race organizers would be put on the city's website; races still would need to be approved by the Homewood Police Department (HPD); HPD still handles rates for off-duty officers that manage races; signage for traffic control will still be managed and put out by public works. This item was carried over to allow time to work through the details of the suggested changes.



2. Sent to council a request for consideration of traffic signage, yield signs, at the diamond intersection of Lucerne Blvd and Parkway Drive. 


Watch the full video above to learn more about all the items presented.

SPECIAL ISSUES HIGHLIGHTS


Special Issues committee 10/02/23. Highlights of some of the items discussed:


1. Request to set a Public Hearing for consideration of sign variance(s) at 2713 18th Place South, was scheduled for 10/23/23.


2. Request to set a Public Hearing for consideration of sign variance(s) at 169 State Farm Parkway, Suite 101, was scheduled for 10/23/23.


Watch the full video to learn more about all the items presented.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS


Planning & Development committee 10/02/23. Highlights of some of the items discussed:


1. Committee discussed a public Hearing set for October 9, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. for consideration to rezone 55 Bagby Drive & 65 Bagby Drive, properties that are part of a proposed expansion for the Magic City Acceptance Academy, from C-5 (General Business District) to a Mixed Use District (MXD). Applicants were informed at the last committee meeting that the city can rezone to MXD only, they can't apply any restrictions that were part of the wording in the original application. Applicant updated committee that they worked with city representation to remove any wording that would have had restrictions or could be deemed as discriminatory. Committee members also asked for and received clarification from the applicant about their plans if the site is rezoned MXD.


Watch the full video to learn more about all the items presented.

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Pre-Council & Council Meetings July 27, 2026

July 28, 2026
Pre-Council Meeting - July 27, 2026

Comprehensive Plan

July 24, 2026
Previous Public Meeting Information July 23, 2026 WATCH VIDEO VIEW PRESENTATION May 19, 2026 WATCH VIDEO VIEW PRESENTATION January 28, 2026 WATCH WORKSHOP VIDEO The early results from citizen engagement shows 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.

Improving Parking

July 20, 2026
As we work to make the most of public parking, the Homewood Police Department has hired a Parking Enforcement Officer. The goal is to help keep parking spaces available for everyone throughout the day. As a reminder, street parking in Homewood is limited to three hours. Specifically, please be mindful of the two designated ‘Law Enforcement’ parking spaces in front of SoHo Square, which must remain available for police use. There will be a short period where warnings will be issued to help everyone become familiar with the parking requirements before citations begin.

Active Shooter Training

July 15, 2026
You may see a large and very visible police presence around the campus and inside OLS over the next week or so. This is training.  The Homewood Police Department will be conducting active shooter response training on the campus of Our Lady of Sorrows School July 16 and 17 and July 20 through 24, from 9am to 3pm each day. This is part of HPD's annual training and will also include medical trauma treatment and first aid. We wanted to make sure you knew what was happening if you see the activity in the area.

Planning Commission July 14, 2026

July 15, 2026
The Planning Commission reviewed a proposed zoning definition for minor vehicle repair after concerns about vehicle-focused businesses along the Green Springs corridor. Discussion focused on whether the proposed definition was too broad and could affect specialized businesses or existing businesses that may become nonconforming. The commission recommended using a shorter definition focused on routine, low-impact vehicle services and removing the long list of examples. The amended recommendation passed 5 to 1 and now moves to the City Council. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4vQEikP

Scam Alert! Cyber-Criminals Impersonating City Officials

July 15, 2026
Scammers are becoming more sophisticated and may use the names of real City officials, employees or information from public meetings to make an email, text message or phone call appear legitimate. A familiar name or email does not mean the message is real. The City of Homewood will NEVER ask you to purchase gift cards, send cryptocurrency or make a personal payment to a City official or employee through an unsolicited email or text message. Cash and check are the only forms of payment currently accepted for Variance, Rezoning, Resurvey, and Development Plan applications. If you receive ANY request involving money, STOP and VERIFY it before responding. Call the City using THIS CONTACT INFO . DO NOT call a phone number included in the suspicious message. You could be calling the scammer back instead of a City official. And if you are still unsure, come see us! Visit City Hall, 4th Floor, and talk directly with our staff. We can help verify any request involving money. You can also verify using these emails: fred.goodwin@homewoodal.org emily.harrismiller@homewoodal.org If you are directed by City staff to send in your payemnt, use this information:  Attn: Department of Engineering and Zoning City of Homewood 2850 19th Street South, Fourth Floor Homewood, AL 35209

31 Tunnel - A Little History

July 14, 2026
The U.S. Highway 31 pedestrian tunnel is temporarily closed while it undergoes a major renovation. While crews are at work over the next few months, we thought it would be a good time to look back at the history of Homewood's longest-serving pedestrian connection. For more than 70 years, the tunnel has provided generations of Homewood families with a safe passage beneath a busy roadway. The tunnel was constructed in 1954 after widening of U.S. Highway 31, then known as Montgomery Highway. At the time, many students who attended Shades Cahaba Elementary lived on the west side of 31. Rather than requiring hundreds of children to cross a rapidly expanding highway at street level, community leaders pushed for a pedestrian underpass. To help make room for the tunnel's west entrance, Hill Food Store, the predecessor to today's Piggly Wiggly, provided a portion of its parking lot.

Pre-Council & Council Meetings July 13, 2026

July 14, 2026
Pre-Council Meeting - July 13, 2026

BZA Meeting July 9, 2026

July 10, 2026
The Board of Zoning Adjustments approved a variance for a family to build a therapeutic pool on Gran Ave. The variance allows a 105-square-foot increase in impervious surfacing. The applicant demonstrated the project would remain within the city's maximum allowable impervious surface coverage, at approximately 44.6%, while providing enough space for aquatic therapy for their son with cerebral palsy. The board denied a requested variance for a proposed condominium development on Courtney Drive after nearby residents raised concerns about traffic, alley access, and neighborhood impacts, while approving two separate requests for second story home additions on Ardsley Place and Peerless Avenue. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3SCceD3

US 31 Tunnel Closing

July 6, 2026
Beginning Monday, July 6, the U.S. 31 pedestrian tunnel near Piggly Wiggly will be closed on both ends as construction begins on a major renovation project. Construction is expected to take a few months to work on new landscaping, lighting, and other upgrades designed to create a safer and more welcoming connection for everyone walking through the area.
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